Final answer:
Data is crucially analyzed in scientific research to determine whether it supports a hypothesis. After experiments, scientists use statistical and other methods to interpret raw data, allowing conclusions about the hypothesis to be drawn. The hypothesis can either be supported or refuted, leading to further scientific inquiry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Data is analyzed to determine if our hypothesis is supported. In the scientific method, scientists first pose a hypothesis, which is a supposition that is tested through data collection during an experiment. The observations collected in a scientific investigation are considered raw data, which are then analyzed using statistical, mathematical, or graphical methods.
By analyzing this data, scientists can draw conclusions about the phenomenon they are studying. If the experimental data supports the hypothesis, it indicates that the actual observations (data) match the expected observations, and the hypothesis is considered supported. Conversely, if the actual observations differ from the expected observations, the hypothesis is refuted. In either case, scientists may propose and test a new hypothesis based on the results.
Evidence gathered during experiments either supports or disproves a hypothesis. Hence, data analysis is crucial in the scientific process, as it allows scientists to evaluate their hypotheses and advance their research.