Which term refers to the specific ways that scholars collect and analyze data?

The term that refers to the specific ways scholars collect and analyze data is "methods." In research, methods encompass the systematic techniques and procedures used to gather information, conduct experiments, or analyze data. This can include qualitative methods like interviews and observations, or quantitative methods such as surveys and statistical analyses.

While statistics relates to the application of mathematical principles to analyze numerical data, it is not a comprehensive term for all the processes involved in data collection and analysis. Theory refers to a set of principles or ideas that offer explanations or predictions about phenomena, but does not specify how data is gathered or interpreted. A hypothesis, on the other hand, is a specific testable prediction about the relationship between variables but does not address the broader methodology required for data acquisition and analysis.

Thus, "methods" is the correct choice as it captures the entire scope of strategies used in research to obtain and scrutinize data.