Scientists are studying a group of living cells under a microscope. They write down notes about the size, shape, and color of the cells as well as other traits. Which best describes this type of investigation? comparative, because the scientists will be making observations in order to form a hypothesis comparative, because the scientists are measuring dependent and independent variables descriptive, because the scientists are using independent variables to test a hypothesis descriptive, because the scientists are writing down observations but not making comparisons

The correct answer is descriptive, as scientists are writing down the observations but not making comparisons.

There are three kinds of investigations used by scientists in order to look for and establish explanations for the incidents in nature, that is, descriptive, comparative, and experimental investigation.

In the given case, the scientists are using descriptive investigation. The aim of the descriptive investigation is to demonstrate. It should provide actual, factual, and systematic illustrations of the phenomenon without trying to conclude causal associations. It does not answer the queries about the when, how, or why a specific event had taken place.

descriptive, because the scientists are writing down observations but not making comparisons