Quiz: Scientific Method Flashcards
Civilization withdrew from science during the Dark Ages (500 AD-1500 AD). List three factors that contributed to the lack of scientific investigation during this period.
- Books did not exist at this time because printing was not available.
- Thinking was mostly reserved for those who participated in the clergy
- People who were considered free thinkers were seen as a threat.
Science emerged again with the coming of the Renaissance in the 13th century. What change occurred in people’s attitudes to bring about the new age?
Even though science was withdrawn during the Dark Ages, there were people who continued to work with science. Plant and animal worlds (which were unclassified) were then classified/named, anatomies were corrected, and people began problem solving through experimentation.
Why do we say that the scientific method should not be focused on questions of religion such as whether or not God exists?
According to Weiz, we cannot apply the scientific method to God because, if the hypothesis (God exists everywhere) is correct, he would be present everywhere; if the hypothesis is incorrect, he would be absent from any test. Either way, we cannot run a controlled experiment and therefore cannot apply the scientific method.
Why is skepticism a desirable characteristic in the scientific community?
Skepticism is a desirable characteristic in the scientific community because it causes people to observe their experimental results carefully, instead of merely accepting something without true experimentation. Science asks for proof.
What is the scientific method?
The scientific method is used for problem solving with several identifiable components: observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and conclusion.
What is the first component of the scientific method?
Observation.
Why do scientists agree that only events that can be observed repeatedly are in the realm of science?
Science is incapable of making concrete studies involving miracles, or religion. They are not within the realm of science.
Perimeter of a block of wood
___ centimeters
___ inches
- 7-14.5 centimeters
5. 7 inches
Submerging block of wood into water
Volume: 50 milliliters
Volume: 1.69 fluid oz
Weight of the wood on a balance system
12.7 grams
The number of milliliters to one quart of water
One quart = 900-946 milliliters
What was the initial observation that triggered the curiosity of the island research scientist and led to the published paper?
While the research scientist was in a remote island, his beard growth diminished. However, on the day before he was due to leave to island, his beard growth increased.
What was the general pattern he observed in the daily growth of his beard?
On the day he returned to the mainland, his beard grew significantly. When he would maintain sexual activity for a week, beard growth would decline to normal within 4-6 days. After 2-3 days with no sexual activity, his beard would grow increasingly again.
Why is it important that scientists make observations over a long period of time (from several weeks to many years depending on the study) before they make any public statement about what they have seen?
It is important that scientists make observations over a long period of time before they make any public statement because changes could occur during their studies.
Why would it also be important to seek other individuals in similar situations to see whether or not the same patterns were demonstrated in their cases?
It is important to seek other individuals in similar situations because their experiments could help support their hypothesis.
After watching the trend of beard growth for several weeks and comparing notes with other people, what generalizations was the island researcher able to make about his own observations?
The scientist realized that beard growth was definitely heavier on weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) than on any other day for the rest of the week.
