Final answer:
The researcher would be engaged in scientific misconduct if she alters observations to fit her hypothesis, compromising the integrity of the research.
Step-by-step explanation:
The researcher would be engaged in scientific misconduct if she decides to go back to her records and slightly alters a few of the observations to fit her hypothesis. Scientific misconduct refers to actions that violate ethical standards and compromise the integrity and validity of scientific research.
It is important for researchers to adhere to ethical principles and maintain the accuracy and integrity of their data. Altering observations to fit a hypothesis is not only unethical, but it also undermines the scientific process and can lead to false conclusions.
In this case, the researcher should consider analyzing the existing data objectively and consider other possible explanations for the results. If the data does not fully support the hypothesis, it may be necessary to revise the hypothesis or conduct further research to gather more conclusive evidence.