Theory, Law, Bias, and Critical Thinking

Theory, Law, Bias, and Critical Thinking

Multiple Choice

The word Theory has a specific meaning when used in science and is different than the causal, everyday use of the word.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Based on what we have learned so far about the process of science - do you think that scientific theories get updated when new discoveries are made?

• Yes, absolutely

• No, theories don't change

Multiple Select

Which three of the following choices can be included in a scientific theory?

• hypotheses

• facts / observations

• opinions

• personal beliefs

• scientific laws

Multiple Choice

Does it seem like Scientific Theories are very important in science?

• Yes, absolutely

• Nah, they're just a guess

Scientific Laws

Laws are different than theories....

Scientific Laws

• is a description of a fact that is completely accepted in the scientific community

• does not change

• if it's refuted, the law becomes false and all science that was based on that law also becomes false

• states that something in the natural world happens, but does not explain how or why

• ​Laws and Theories in science are two distinct things

Multiple Choice

Are scientific theories and laws the same thing?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Can scientific theories become laws?

• Yes

• Maybe

• No

Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself!​

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Multiple Choice

Should scientists allow their own personal bias affect their research, experiments, and conclusions?

• No, they should not - that would be bad

• Yes they can - personal bias makes results better

How to tell if something is a credible source...

Multiple Choice

Which of these is not a credible source for a scientific topic?

• scientific articles

• peer-reviewed publication

• active experts / researchers

• an opinion article with bias

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the best statement when discussing credible information found on the internet?

• What's true or not does not matter, I should find search results that I like or that matches with what I think.

• It's okay to trust and open anything that you find on the internet since false information is not allowed to be online.

• There is a lot of credible information as well as a lot of bad information available on the internet - so it's important to be able to tell if a source is credible or not.

The Importance of Scientific Literacy

Think Critically

Read through the following slides of quotes and images to learn about the importance of critical thinking skills and how they are important for the scientific process. As we look at them together, think about "the message" each quote is trying to tell us...

Multiple Choice

Does "Googling" things and watching YouTube videos make anyone a qualified expert on anything?

• Yes, it's that easy!

• Absolutely not!

Poll

Do Google searches always give you credible info/results?

• The wise and all-knowing Google is never wrong!

• Not always, you can end up with unreliable information.

• How does the algorithm know what I like or want to find?!

Open Ended

Summarize what you learned today about theories, laws, bias, credibility of sources, and critical thinking.