How do scientists analyze the data they collect?

The way scientists analyze scientific data depends on the type of data the experiment generates. Some experiments produce qualitative data and such data is analyzed by merely making an observation of the result and comparing it to the predicted outcome. An example is when a researcher proposes that two compounds react to produce a colored substance. If the compounds are mixed and no color change is witnessed the researcher can consider their hypothesis falsified. Other experiments produce quantitative results and the results from these experiments are analysed using statistical tests. For example if someone hypothesizes that a certain substance can cause weight loss, the amount of weight lost or gained can be measured between groups of people who are either taking or not taking the compound. These quantities can then be analyzed statistically to deduce whether the differences between the groups are significant.