Question

kelly wants to know how a cactus adapts to the hot, dry conditions of the desert. she reads several previously conducted studies about cactus plants. which part of the scientific process did she complete? conducting background research providing an explanation collecting and analyzing data making observations

Explanation:

When Kelly reads previously - conducted studies about cactus plants to understand how a cactus adapts to the desert conditions, she is gathering existing knowledge on the topic. This is characteristic of conducting background research. Providing an explanation would involve formulating her own account of the adaptation (not just reading others' work). Collecting and analyzing data would involve her own data - gathering (e.g., measuring cactus water retention). Making observations would be her directly watching cacti in the desert (not reading about them).

Answer:

conducting background research