Final answer:
The statement is false. The process of scientific investigation usually starts with an observation that leads to making an inference and then formulating a testable hypothesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Making an inference is the first part of the process of investigating a question using data' is false. The first step of a scientific investigation often begins with observation, followed by making an inference based on that observation. However, before forming an inference, a scientist typically moves to formulate a hypothesis, which is a tentative explanation for the observations. A good inference involves applying logic to the evidence at hand, and it leads to a hypothesis that can be tested.
To clarify, let's consider a scenario in science: A scientist observes that certain moths are not being eaten by predator birds. They might infer that the markings on the moth's wings, which resemble eyes, could be scaring away the birds. This inference prompts the formulation of a hypothesis, for example, that 'eye spots on moth wings deter bird predation.' This hypothesis is then subjected to testing through experiments.