Recently, I found an interesting experimental phenomenon. I want to discuss its possible mechanism. How to find a breakthrough? Do you want to read the literature or do you want to find obvious molecules that are close to the signaling pathway?
You will need to replicate your experimental phenomenon which means conducting the experiment again, exactly as it was originally conducted to be sure that it produces the same results. Sometimes, replication of the experiment may produce results that may differ from the results of the initial study thereby indicating that the phenomenon may have occurred by chance.
Once you have replicated the phenomenon which is your observation, you will have to develop a theory which is the explanation or interpretation of the observed phenomenon.
For this purpose, you will have to carry out literature survey through which you can find various mechanisms involved and perform experiments to come as close as possible to an accurate explanation for the observed phenomenon. By doing this you can come up with a theory which will be scientifically tested and proven.
Developing scientific theory serves three basic purpose,1. It helps to organize the phenomenon, 2. Allow others to predict what will happen in a new setting and 3. Help to generate new research ideas.