Which term is used for a study of the natural world that may include observations, questions, conclusions and does not necessarily test a variable?

Which term is used for a study of the natural world that may include observations, questions, conclusions and does not necessarily test a variable?

• A. Investigation
• B. Experiment
• C. Theory
• D. Hypothesis

Answer: (A)

An investigation is a study of the natural world that may begin with careful observations, raise questions, collect data, and draw conclusions, without requiring manipulation of a variable. This fits the description because you can observe and wonder about how things work, record what you see, and arrive at conclusions without conducting a controlled test. An experiment, by contrast, involves changing conditions to see how one variable affects another. A hypothesis is a testable statement that predicts an outcome, usually tested in an experiment. A theory is a well-supported explanation built from many observations and tests. So the description aligns with investigation, which covers inquiry that doesn’t have to involve testing a variable.

An investigation is a study of the natural world that may begin with careful observations, raise questions, collect data, and draw conclusions, without requiring manipulation of a variable. This fits the description because you can observe and wonder about how things work, record what you see, and arrive at conclusions without conducting a controlled test. An experiment, by contrast, involves changing conditions to see how one variable affects another. A hypothesis is a testable statement that predicts an outcome, usually tested in an experiment. A theory is a well-supported explanation built from many observations and tests. So the description aligns with investigation, which covers inquiry that doesn’t have to involve testing a variable.