Final answer:
The key element of the scientific method is the belief that evidence should determine the merits of an idea.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key element of the scientific method is the belief that evidence should determine the merits of an idea. In science, hypotheses are proposed explanations that can be tested through carefully crafted experimentation or observation. The most straightforward approach to testing these hypotheses is through performing experiments, where the results either support or contradict the predictions of the hypothesis.
Scientific research is guided by the scientific method, where experiments are designed to answer questions about a hypothesis. The results of these experiments, if significant, are published in journals to share the findings with other interested individuals. The practice of the scientific method involves constantly testing, confirming, rejecting, and integrating new knowledge into our understanding of the world.