phenomena

Phenomena are observable events or occurrences that can be perceived, described, or measured. In science, phenomena are the subjects of investigation, representing the aspects of the natural or human world that prompt questions, experiments, and theories. The singular form is phenomenon, and the plural is phenomena.

Natural phenomena include physical, chemical, biological, atmospheric, and astronomical events such as gravity, eclipses, phase transitions, lightning, weather patterns, earthquakes, and bioluminescence. Social and cultural phenomena cover processes like language change, economic cycles, migration, collective behavior, and technological adoption.

Researchers study phenomena through careful observation, measurement, experimentation, and modeling. Data collection, replication, and statistical analysis help determine whether a phenomenon reflects underlying regularities or random variation. The findings may lead to laws, theories, or explanatory models that apply across contexts, with predictions tested in new situations.

Not all reported phenomena meet scientific standards; extraordinary claims require rigorous evidence and reproducibility. The term is sometimes used in philosophy to distinguish appearances as perceived phenomena from things-in-themselves, a distinction that has influenced epistemology.

Etymology: from Greek phainomenon, "that which appears."