Which term best describes the broad activity of systematic investigation to establish facts?

Which term best describes the broad activity of systematic investigation to establish facts?

• A. Hypothesis
• B. Observational Study
• C. Research
• D. Theory

Answer: (C)

The broad activity of systematic investigation to establish facts is research. Research involves planning inquiries, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions to build or verify knowledge. It’s a wide umbrella that covers many methods and disciplines all aimed at uncovering facts about how things work. A hypothesis is a testable statement that guides inquiry within research, not the whole activity itself. An observational study is one specific method of gathering data, not the entire process. A theory is a well-supported explanation that can emerge from research, but it’s the outcome, not the activity as a whole. So the best term for the broad activity described is research.