Chapter 1: Scientific Thinking

Question 1

If a researcher uses the same experimental set-up as another study to collect data, but uses different research subjects, it is considered:

1. extrapolation.
2. exploration.
3. replication.
4. a two-tailed test of the hypothesis.
5. inductive reasoning.

Answer 1

replication

Question 2

Which of the following is TRUE for a given observation a person might make about the natural world?

1. For an observation there are usually many alternate hypotheses.
2. Each observation produces only one falsifiable hypothesis.
3. An observation always has one hypothesis that can be proven by experimentation.
4. Every observation made about the natural world is testable.

Answer 2

For an observation there are usually many alternate hypotheses

Question 3

In a randomized, controlled, double-blind study:

1. experimental subjects are blind-folded when given the experimental treatment.
2. individuals will be assigned to an experimental or control group depending on whether they took part in a pilot study.
3. all experimental variables are held constant.
4. neither the experimenter nor the subject know whether the subject is in a control group or an experimental group.
5. All of the above.

Answer 3

neither the experimenter nor the subject know whether the subject is in a control group or an experimental group

Question 4

Thinking scientifically relies on which of the following?

1. objective observation and experimentation
2. learning a list of facts
3. intuition
4. applying your preconceptions
5. statements from authorities

Answer 4

objective observation and experimentation

Question 5

Why is it that creationism can never be accepted as a scientific explanation of the origin of life?

1.
Because the age of the earth, as given in Genesis, can never be determined.
2. Because the ideas of creationism cannot be tested through experiment and observation.
3. Because creationism, like evolution, is a theory and therefore cannot be proved.
4. Because most scientists are not deeply religious people.
5. None of the above; creationism can be accepted as a scientific explanation of the origin of life.

Answer 5

Because the ideas of creationism cannot be tested through experiment and observation

Question 6

Your friend believes astrology should be considered a scientific discipline and you want to explain to her why it is not. Which of the following arguments is the MOST sound reason why astrology is not considered a true scientific discipline?

1. Astrology is not followed by anyone of true intelligence.
2. Astrology cannot be falsified by controlled experiments.
3. Astrology does not attempt to answer and explore unknown questions.
4. Astrology is not taught at universities.
5. Astrology is not based on any form of observations.

Answer 6

Astrology cannot be falsified by controlled experiments

Question 7

Which of the following statements BEST explains the observation that there are more autism cases now than in the past?

1. There are more parents who neglect their children, which is a cause of autism, now than in the past.
2. Autism has been selected for in recent generations by natural selection.
3. The vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella has been established as a significant cause of autism.
4. Doctors are more aware of the condition and have better techniques for diagnosing and reporting it.
5. All of the above are equally good explanations for the observation that there are more autism cases now than in the past.

Answer 7

Doctors are more aware of the condition and have better techniques for diagnosing and reporting it

Question 8

An experimental condition applied to research subjects is called a:

1. double blinded study.
2. treatment.
3. blinded study.
4. randomization.
5. placebo effect.

Answer 8

treatment

Question 9

In a line graph, the value of the independent variable is:

1. represented as long lines extending from the right side of the graph.
2. represented on the x-axis.
3. represented on the y-axis.
4. represented as “slices in a pie.”
5. represented as bars extending from the y-axis.

Answer 9

represented on the x-axis

Question 10

In human medical experiments, what is a placebo?

1. a medication given to subject to alleviate anxiety
2. a medication whose effect is known to be similar to that of the one being tested
3. a substance that does not contain the medicine being tested
4. the experimental medicine that is being tested

Answer 10

a substance that does not contain the medicine being tested

Question 11

If your hypothesis is “Estrogens in sewage runoff turn fish into hermaphrodites,” what is your null hypothesis?

1. Estrogens in sewage runoff turn turtles into hermaphrodites.
2. Estrogens in sewage runoff have no effect in turning fish into hermaphrodites.
3. Testosterones in sewage runoff have no effect in turning fish into hermaphrodites.
4. Testosterones in sewage runoff turn fish into hermaphrodites.
5. Estrogens in sewage runoff turn hermaphroditic fish into unisexual fish.

Answer 11

Estrogens in sewage runoff have no effect in turning fish into hermaphrodites

Question 12

Your friend tells you that eating lots of oysters has enabled her to quit smoking. What type of evidence is this?

1. evidence from a primary source
2. evidence from a secondary source
3. incontrovertible evidence
4. anecdotal evidence

Answer 12

anecdotal evidence

Question 13

Doug notices that if he brushes his teeth before he goes to bed at night he wakes up with a headache. What can logically be deduced from this?

1. Doug is brushing his teeth too hard.
2. Doug’s toothpaste is getting into his sinuses, causing headaches.
3. Doug wakes up with a headache when he brushes his teeth at night.
4. Doug is prone to migraines.

Answer 13

Doug is prone to migraines

Question 14

In a scientific study, the dependent variable is:

1. the variable whose value can be changed and set at the start of an experiment.
2. the main variable that is directly manipulated by the researcher.
3. the variable used to observe the effect of another variable.
4. a measurable, non-controllable entity whose value is created by the process being observed.
5. a variable in a study that is kept constant

Answer 14

the variable used to observe the effect of another variable

Question 15

Which of the following areas is NOT heavily influenced by biology?

1. environmental issues
2. agriculture
3. criminology
4. behavioral issues
5. Biology heavily influences ALL of these areas.

Answer 15

Biology heavily influences ALL of these areas

Question 16

“Engaging in aerobic activity three times each week will reduce cholesterol levels” is a:

1. testable hypothesis
2. control group.
3. scientific control.
4. critical experiment.
5. All of the above are correct.

Answer 16

testable hypothesis

Question 17

When a chewing gum manufacturer makes the claim, “Four out of five dentists surveyed recommend sugarless gum for their patients that chew gum,” how many dentists need have been surveyed for the statement to be factually accurate?

1. five
2. at least 100
3. at least 500
4. 10
5. four

Answer 17

five

Question 18

Science is self-correcting. This means that:

1. scientists correct their own biases before engaging in scientific study.
2. science is incapable of producing mistaken beliefs if its studies are carefully done.
3. science actively seeks to disprove its own theories and hypotheses.
4. when scientists make mistakes in their statistical analyses, their statistical software always catches those mistakes.
5. scientists have impeccable manners.

Answer 18

science actively seeks to disprove its own theories and hypotheses

Question 19

Which of the following is the BEST way to state the relationship between “data” and “results”?

1. “Data” are the facts you collect from your experiment, while “results” are your interpretation of what the data mean.
2. Any two scientists reporting the same “results” must have been using the same “data.”
3. “Data” and “results” are two names for the same thing.
4. The “data” section should always come before the “results” section in a scientific paper.
5. Any two scientists examining the same “data” would draw the same “results.”

Answer 19

“Data” are the facts you collect from your experiment, while “results” are your interpretation of what the data mean

Question 20

In a well-designed experiment:

a. the prediction will be highly probable if the hypothesis is true.
b. the prediction will be highly improbable if the hypothesis is not true.
c. the null hypothesis will not be tested.
d. the prediction will most likely be true.
e. a) and b) are both correct.

Answer 20

a) and b) are both correct