to test a hypothesis to form a theory to produce a scientific paper to change previous results
I gave my students this multiple choice question: Investigations were performed to test several methods of keeping petals from falling off flowers that had been cut. Which is the most likely reason for this investigation?

Only one answer is correct among these 4 choices:
- to test a hypothesis
- to form a theory
- to produce a scientific paper
- to change previous results

Could you tell me which one is correct?

to test a hypothesis