Final answer:
The correct answer is option 'a. patterns, processes, and connections,' representing what science aims to find by collecting and organizing data through the scientific method.
Step-by-step explanation:
Science collects and organizes information in a careful, orderly way, looking for patterns, processes, and connections. This question is about how scientists use various methods to explore and understand the natural world around us. When scientists collect and organize data, they typically follow the scientific method, which involves making observations, forming a hypothesis, conducting experiments, and formulating theories based on the data gathered.
The correct answer to this question is 'a. patterns, processes, and connections', as this describes what scientists are often looking for when they collect and analyze data. This data collection may involve various strategies such as controlled experiments or observational studies, and it is followed by hypothesis testing, where the data (singular or plural) are used to support or reject the hypothesis.