Chapter 1

Question 1

Science is the —— gained from the careful, —— investigation of the ——– world.

Answer 1

Knowledge; systematic; natural

Question 2

Scientific thinking is based on ——

Answer 2

Observation

Question 3

What is a universal statement? Give an example.

Answer 3

A universal statement is a statement that excludes every other possibility.

Question 4

An idea a person takes for granted is an

Answer 4

Presupposition

Question 5

What is a worldview?

Answer 5

The overall perspective from which a person sees and interprets the world.

Question 6

What characteristics must a problem possess for it to be studied scientifically?

Answer 6

It must fall within the limitations of science, and it must be observable, measurable, and repeated.

Question 7

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 7

A simple, testable statement about the answer to a problem.

Question 8

(True or false). The goal of science is to obtain information that is workable.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

(True or false) An inference is a testable statement about the the solution to a problem that is made before conducting an experiment.

Answer 9

False. An inference is a logical conclusion based on an observation.

Question 10

What system of measurement is used in science?

Answer 10

Metric system

Question 11

Can science be used to make value judgments? Explain your answer.

Answer 11

No. A value judgment determines somethings worth. Science cannot determine worth or value; it can only make observations.

Question 12

Tell whether each is scientific. If not, tell why it is not.

A) the world came into being as a result of the Big Bang
B) the antibiotic erythromycin is useful in treating pneumonia and ear infections.

Answer 12

A) Not scientific- it is observable; no person was there to observe how the universe began.

B) scientific- it is within the limits of science, is observable, measurable, and repeated.

Question 13

C) all penguins live in Antarctica.

D) endangered giant pandas deserve greater protection than endangered snails.

Answer 13

C) not scientific- a universal statement

D) not scientific- a value judgment

Question 14

Defend the claim that a biblical worldview-not a naturalistic worldview- makes sense of reality.

Answer 14

A biblical worldview is based on the Bible, and the Bible is our only sure source of truth. Christianity is the worldview that teaches that humans are precious, that explains the existence of good and evil, and that calls humans to do good to others.

Question 15

Explain how a person’s worldview will influence his presuppositions.

Answer 15

Because a person’s worldview is the perspective he uses to interpret everything he observes, his presuppositions will be based on that perspective.

Question 16

Define the following terms used in an experiment: 
Variable 
Experimental group 
Experimental variable 
Control group

Answer 16

Variables are conditions or factors that can vary among the groups in an experiment.
Experimental variable is the factor is altered; it should be the only difference between experimental group and control group.
Experimental group is exposed to experimental variable.
Control group lacks the experimental variable.

Question 17

Why is data important for verifying an answer?

Answer 17

Data is the information gained from an experiment or survey. To verify an answer, the experiment must gather more data through repeated experiments or surveys.

Question 18

Why is it important for an experiment to have a control group?

Answer 18

Comparing the experimental group with the control group makes it possible to determine what effect the experimental variable had on the experimental group.

Question 19

Did Dr. Goldberger’s results mean that anyone who does not eat milk, eggs, and meat will get pellagra? Explain

Answer 19

No, Dr Goldberger’s experiment using healthy prisoners whose diet was changed proved that a diet lacking in fresh animal products could result in pellagra. However, it cannot be proven that every individual would develop pellagra.

Question 20

Why is evolution not an example of science?

Answer 20

Evolution is not observable, nor can an experiment be designed to verify it.

Question 21

Are the conclusions that scientists draw always accurate and truthful? What obstacles prevent scientists from being right all the time?

Answer 21

No. The limitations of science, bias, faulty presuppositions and inferences, different worldviews, and human error make scientists fallible.