chapter 1-5 test

All of the following are true of a scientific hypothesis EXCEPT

there must exist a possibility of obtaining a result that could support your hypothesis.

A scientific hypothesis must have two very important features. What are they?

A scientific hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable.

What are the steps used in the process of a scientific study?

A. making initial observations that generate questions, studying the literature, generating hypotheses that are both testable and falsifiable, testing the hypothesis with experiments and analyzing the data, and making conclusions that are supported by data

Why do scientists say that a hypothesis is "supported" and never say that a hypothesis has been "proven"?

Because it is impossible to test a hypothesis under every possible scenario; there is no way to "prove" a hypothesis. Thus, a hypothesis can only be supported.

What conclusions can be drawn from a hypothesis?

If there is data to support the hypothesis, then it is accepted until further testing suggests otherwise. ,If evidence rejects the hypothesis, then it can be removed from the list of possible answers to the original question.

What is the importance of peer review in the scientific process?

It ensures that a study has been appropriately designed and correctly interpreted.

What are the criteria for a good hypothesis?

It must be testable and falsifiable.

Why can't science answer questions about the existence of a supernatural being?

Science requires a hypothesis that is testable and falsifiable. There is no way to test the existence of a supernatural being, nor is it possible to prove that something does not exist.

Imagine that you read a study of the effects of exercise on the prevalence of heart disease in women ages 35 to 65. Although you believe the experiment was carried out in an appropriate manner, you still do not believe the results. You decide to conduct your own study to see for yourself. To determine if the results of the first study are valid, should you do everything the same way as the first study or would it be better if you changed several of the variables, such as studying men, or looking at different age groups? Explain your choice, and explain the consequences of the other choice.

To be most comparable, you would conduct your new study in the exact same manner as the previous study. If you were to change any of the variables, then the results might change as well; thus, you would not be able to compare your new results to the first study.

What does it mean to say that a scientific study has undergone "peer review"? Why is this important?

When a study has undergone peer review it means that other scientists have examined the study to make sure the experiment was carried out properly and that the conclusions are appropriate. This is important to weed out studies with questionable methods and results to ensure scientific accuracy and reliability.

Evidence that is not based on systematic scientific study is known as ____ evidence.

anecdotal

I notice that all the students in my class seem very drowsy 45 minutes into my class period. Knowing that it could not possibly be my lecture putting them to sleep, I consider other factors such as the fact that my class is at 5pm and the sun is usually setting at that time of the day, which I think may make people drowsy. What type of evidence am I collecting in making this observation?

anecdotal

Observations used as scientific evidence should NOT include

anecdotal evidence.

A hypothesis is a statement that

can be tested and proven false

Based on previous published data and some preliminary experiments done in my lab, I hypothesize that a drug called "shrinkase" will inhibit the growth of a particular type of cancerous tumor. What is my next step in the scientific process?

determine what my control and experimental groups will be

If the results of an experiment contradict the hypothesis, you have _____ the hypothesis.

falsified

What is the first step in the scientific process?

formulating a hypothesis

Where are the most reliable scientific results published?

in peer-reviewed scientific journals

The scientific process from beginning to end can be outlined as:

observe, hypothesize, test, analyze, and conclude.

Scientific journals send out potential articles to other scientists working in the same research area, and those scientists make comments regarding the research.

peer review

A hypothesis can be everything EXCEPT

proven true.

Which of the following places the steps of the scientific process in the correct order?

questionsread literaturehypothesisexperimentconclusions