Lesson #2 Analyzing Information in Science

Analyzing Information in Science

• ​Drawing conclusions is a skill that is often tested.

• When you draw a conclusion, you must first use all the available facts to analyze the information.

• You do this so you can make a reasonable judgment.

• Remember, if some of the facts don't fit, then the conclusion is probably wrong.

Multiple Choice

At one point in time, many people thought disease was caused by fate or by incorrect behavior. Following the invention of the microscope, bacteria were discovered. After this, a new theory of what causes disease arose that was known as the germ theory.  Why was the original theory modified? 

• It quickly became obvious that germs cause disease.
• The person who invented the microscope became ill.
• New evidence prompted revision to the original ideas.
• The proponents of the germ theory had political power.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an observation of the picture?

• The person is wearing a T-shirt
• It is a sunny day
• The person is going to a birthday party
• The gift is a DVD player

Multiple Choice

A scientist collected the following data on algal growth during an experiment:
Which of the following conclusions could be drawn from the data? 

• Algae multiply most rapidly at 35°C.
• Algae multiply most slowly at 20°C.
• Algae multiply most slowly at 10°C.
• Algae multiply most rapidly at 20°C.

Multiple Choice

Newton’s third law of motion states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. How does this law differ from a theory?

• A theory explains a set of well tested observations; a law describes a pattern in nature.
• Laws can be changed with the addition of new evidence but theories cannot.
• A law explains a pattern in nature in more detail than a theory. 
• Theories are based on more evidence than laws.

Multiple Choice

Incorrect measurements, improperly recording data, and not using variables correctly are types of __.

• bias
• cause
• effect
• error

Multiple Choice

What is an observation for this picture?

• The man is scared
• The man is going to get eaten
• There is a man in a kayak
• The man is paddling fast

Multiple Choice

What conclusion can you draw from this line graph?

• For the most part, the older the teenagers get, the more likely they are to have a cell phone.
• Older teens have less cell phones.
• People in their thirties have the least cell phones.
• No one should own a cell phone.

Multiple Choice

In which statement does the word theory mean scientific theory?

• In theory, the experiment will work as planned. 
• She has a theory about why the storm arrived later than predicted. 
• The atomic theory explains that material objects are made up of atoms. 
• The doctor’s prescription for curing a cold is based on his best theory or guess. 

Multiple Choice

Mr. Swanson's science class used a thermometer to measure the outside temperature each day throughout the school year.
They used their results to make the graph below.

Which month had an average daily temperature of around 41 degrees?

• May
• April
• December
• March

Multiple Choice

Two students were watching the clouds and listening to the wind. They could also smell rain in the air. What skill were these students using?

• recording data

• asking questions

• performing an experiment

• observing

Multiple Choice

How many students ride their bicycle to school?

• 40
• 35
• 30
• 20

Multiple Choice

The theory of plate tectonics states that Earth’s crust is made of sections that move. Which of the following is NOT evidence that can be used to support the theory of plate tectonics?

• The sea floor is spreading apart from mid-ocean rifts.
• Mountains push up where two plates bump into each other.
• The same species of bird is found in North America and South America.
• The continents look as if they fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

Multiple Choice

On which 2 days was the temperature the same?

• 2 and 8
• 1 and 6
• 3 and 4
• 5 and 8

Multiple Choice

Using one or more of your senses to gather information refers to

• classifying

• observing

• inferring

• predicting

Multiple Choice

Look at the graph.
From Tuesday to Wednesday there is ....

• fall sharply.
• a sharply fall.
• a sharp fall.
• fall sharp.

Multiple Choice

Why is it important that scientists modify scientific theories when important new information is discovered?

• to confuse other scientists
• to keep the theory interesting and fresh
• to keep the theory as accurate and effective as possible
• to make sure the general public does not understand the theory

Multiple Choice

This double line graph for rainfall in two cities shows what pattern?

• Rain is steady all year.
• It is rainier in the summer months than in winter.
• It is the rainiest in winter.
• There is no rain.  Both cities are dry year round.

Multiple Choice

What is an explanation you make putting together what you already knew with what you observed?

• inference

• observation

• hypothesis

• prediction

Multiple Choice

What is this graph showing you?

• The worlds population is staying the same.
• The worlds population is going down (decreasing).
• The worlds population was growing but now is decreasing.
• The worlds population has been growing and will continue to grow. 

Multiple Choice

Joe tells Mai his theory about why sea turtles nest on the beach instead of in the ocean. He says, “The turtle eggs would sink to the bottom of the ocean, and the baby turtles would drown.” Joe says his uncle is a fisherman, who told Joe this information. Mai tells Joe that his theory is not scientific. Which explanation supports Mai’s evaluation of Joe’s theory?

• Joe’s idea is already a scientific law. 
• Joe’s idea is not supported by scientific evidence. 
• Joe’s idea is a good guess that can be tested by experiments. 
• Joe’s idea accurately explains why sea turtles nest on the beach. 

Multiple Choice

T7 - What type of graph is this?

• Pie chart
• Histogram
• Bar graph
• Line graph

Multiple Choice

Kyleigh observes and sketches the phases of the moon during a five-week period. Her drawings are shown here. Which statement best describes Kyleigh's investigation?

• It involves modeling.

• It involves experimentation.

• It involves repeated observations.

• It involves both experimentation and repeated observations.

Multiple Choice

T8 - The Independent Variable is represented on which Axis?

• A
• X
• B
• Y

Multiple Choice

 A biologist is investigating the effects of growth hormone on the rate of metamorphosis in butterflies. Which of the following methods of investigation would work best for the biologist investigating any possible effects?

• models
• controlled experiments
• systematic observations
• random sampling of populations

Multiple Choice

The final results and answers to your big question is shared in your ________________.

• conclusion
• hypothesis
• observation
• inquiry

Multiple Choice

_____________________________ is the study of the natural world and involves evaluating evidence.

• Investigation

• Information

• Science

• Inference

Multiple Choice

The summary at the end of an experiment that explains the results. 

• conclusion
• procedures
• materials
• responding variable

Multiple Choice

Eduardo is a conservation biologist. He needs to develop a plan to preserve wetlands. He begins his project by studying the data in the following chart. How is Eduardo using scientific methods in developing a plan?

• He is analyzing data about causes and effects.
• He is analyzing a hypothesis about causes and effects.
• He is proposing an experiment about causes and effects.
• He is using intuition to determine causes and effects.

Multiple Choice

You want to make a graph for an experiment you did about plant growth over a two week period of time. What type of graph would you use?

• bar graph

• line graph

• pictograph

• pie chart

Multiple Choice

Two students were watching the clouds and listening to the wind. They could also smell rain in the air. What skill were these students using?

• Recording data

• Asking questions

• Performing an experiment

• Observing

Multiple Choice

The information you record in an experiment is called your ____________.

• data
• conclusions
• notebook
• inquiry

Multiple Choice

Scientists discuss and debate experimental results and possible explanations in studying phenomena. Which best explains why scientists debate while searching for explanations?

• because debating helps scientists focus on empirical evidence, analyzing both the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence
• because debating helps the scientific community to present interesting and exciting science to the public
• because debating gives scientists an opportunity to express their feelings and opinions about the subject
• because every scientist wants to find an accurate explanation and disprove others’ explanations

Multiple Choice

Using one or more of your senses to gather information refers to .....................

• classifying

• observing

• inferring

• predicting

Multiple Choice

Unprotected exposure to the sun’s rays is a factor in the development of skin cancer. Which   of the following is an example of empirical evidence that supports this hypothesis?

• a model of a skin cell showing where DNA is in the cell
• a skin cancer survivor’s recollection that he had a bad sunburn as a child
• data demonstrating a relationship between amount of sun exposure and incidences of skin cancer
• an advertisement for a sun block product that claims it protects skin for ultraviolet rays

Multiple Choice

What is an explanation you make putting together what you already knew with your investigation?

• Inference

• Observation

• Hypothesis

• Prediction

Multiple Choice

An observation dealing with numbers or amounts

• quantitative observation

• qualitative observation

Multiple Choice

explaining or interpreting observations

• analyzing

• observing

• inferring

• classifying

Multiple Choice

grouping together items that are alike in some way

• analyzing

• classifying

• observing

• inferring

Multiple Choice

making a statement or claim about what will happen in the future

• experimenting

• inferring

• analyzing

• predicting

Multiple Choice

Making an explanation based on your prior knowledge and what you observe

• inferring

• predicting

• guessing

• analyzing

Multiple Choice

evaluating observations and data in order to draw a conclusion

• analyzing

• classifying

• predicting

• inferring