Final answer:
The ideal scientific question identifies variables, is measurable, and goes beyond simply asking "why," which allows for empirical research and testing to occur as part of scientific experimentation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ideal scientific question is one that effectively sets the stage for conducting scientific experiments and hypothesis testing. To satisfy this criterion, such a question should be structured in a way that allows for empirical investigation. This means that the question should be measurable and clearly identify the variables involved, as these attributes are instrumental in designing an experiment. Therefore, among the choices provided, the correct option is:
a. An ideal scientific question clearly identifies variables, is measurable, and does not just simply ask "why."
This is because an ideal scientific question should lead to observations that can be quantified or qualified, allowing for repeatable and valid experiments. Once a question is posed, a hypothesis can be formed. A hypothesis is a tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences. It's important to note that while a hypothesis needs to be testable, it does not need to have been validated yet by scientific experiments. Rather, it is the starting point for investigation.