Which term refers to the systematic collection and analysis of observations in research?

The term that refers to the systematic collection and analysis of observations in research is data. Data serves as the foundation upon which research findings are built. It encompasses the raw, unprocessed information that researchers gather, which must be analyzed to draw conclusions. The systematic aspect involves structured methods for collecting and handling this information to ensure accuracy and reproducibility in findings.

In research contexts, evidence refers to the information that supports or contradicts a hypothesis, but it doesn't necessarily cover the broader aspect of systematic collection. Statistics involve the techniques and methodologies used to analyze collected data, while samples refer to the specific subset of a population chosen for study. Although these concepts relate closely to data, they serve different purposes in the research process.