What term describes information that is collected during an experiment?

The correct term to describe information that is collected during an experiment is data. In a scientific context, data refers specifically to quantitative or qualitative values gathered through observation or experimentation. It includes all information obtained from conducting experiments, such as measurements, test results, and observations noted during the research process.

When conducting experiments, scientists gather data to analyze and draw conclusions. Data can be numerical, such as measurements of temperature or time, or it can be descriptive, encompassing observations made during the experiment. The collection of this information is critical for empirical investigation and helps ensure that findings are based on observable phenomena.

While terms like facts, evidence, and observations also relate to scientific inquiry, they serve different roles. Facts are established truths that can be verified, evidence comprises data that supports or refutes a hypothesis, and observations are the specific instances of things noticed during the experiment. However, only the term data directly encapsulates the collectiveness of all the information gathered during an experiment.