Question

a student wanted to know the most effective way to grow bacteria in a lab. he conducted a descriptive investigation instead of an experimental investigation. what is a limitation of his investigation? a descriptive investigation cannot show a cause - and - effect relationship between bacteria growth and possible factors affecting growth. a descriptive investigation is always more expensive than an experimental investigation. a descriptive investigation usually does not involve much data collection to support a hypothesis. a descriptive investigation provides little prior knowledge or background information about bacteria growth.

Explanation:

A descriptive investigation focuses on observing and describing phenomena without manipulating variables. So, it cannot establish cause - and - effect relationships. An experimental investigation, on the other hand, manipulates variables to determine cause - and - effect. Option B is incorrect as there's no guarantee descriptive is more expensive. Option C is wrong because descriptive can involve data collection. Option D is false as it can provide background info.

Answer:

A. A descriptive investigation cannot show a cause - and - effect relationship between bacteria growth and possible factors affecting growth.