Final answer:
Experimentation should be ingrained in a strategic plan to enable empirically informed decisions, which makes the answer to the question A. True. Experimentation is not the only form of scientific investigation but is a crucial component for validating cause-and-effect relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question can be answered as follows:
When it comes to developing a strategic plan, it is important to include experimentation as a component of the strategy. This is because experimentation allows for testing hypotheses, comparing results, and making informed adjustments to strategies. True experimentation, involving the controlled testing of variables (Option A: a controlled experiment), provides evidence for cause-and-effect relationships. Observational studies (Option B) are another form of investigation that can offer valuable insights without manipulation of variables.
Data that does not support a hypothesis (Item 11) is still useful because it can drive the refinement or rejection of hypotheses, leading to scientific advancement. It is false to claim that experimentation is the only valid type of scientific investigation (Item 12), as there are many methods like observational studies, correlational research, and others that can yield valuable findings. Sample size (Item 8) is indeed important in scientific experiments, with larger sample sizes generally providing more reliable data.
The process of experimentation often involves making a hypothesis (Option B), testing it (Option C), and if the hypothesis is not supported, rejecting it and possibly forming a new one (Option D). Prediction (Item B) is a part of hypothesis formulation, which involves reasoning based on existing knowledge or theories.
In conclusion, experimentation should definitely be an integral part of a strategic plan to ensure that actions are informed by empirical evidence.
The choice here would be A.True.