Abu Ali al-Hasan ibn al-Haytham (c. 966–1039), whose name is usually Latinized to Alhazen or Alhacen, is known as the “father” of the science of optics and was also one of the earliest experimental scientists. Between the tenth and fourteenth centuries, Muslim scholars were responsible for the development of the scientific method. These individuals were the first to use experiments and observation as the basis of science, and many historians regard science as starting during this period. Alhazen is considered as the architect of the scientific method. His scientific method involved the following steps:

1. Observation of the natural world
2. Stating a definite problem
3. Formulating a hypothesis
4. Test the hypothesis through experimentation
5. Assess and analyze the results
6. Interpret the data and draw conclusions
7. Publish the findings