Seems like they did their biochemical analysis first, then found a hypothesis to make sense of it all. Bad science.
Seems like they've asked a question based on something they've observed and have gotten to the point of constructing a hypothesis that they want to test. I don't think their biochemical analysis is their step 4 of the scientific method. It's just their observation that has caused them to ask a question and come up with a hypothesis. There's probably a subtlety I'm missing and maybe you are right.
1. Ask a Question
The scientific method starts when you ask a question about something that you observe: How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where?
2. Do Background Research
3. Construct a Hypothesis
A hypothesis is an educated guess about how things work. It is an attempt to answer your question with an explanation that can be tested. A good hypothesis allows you to then make a prediction:
"If _____[I do this] _____, then _____[this]_____ will happen."
State both your hypothesis and the resulting prediction you will be testing. Predictions must be easy to measure.
4. Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment
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