Scientific Method 2019 quiz review

A scientist plans to conduct a six month study on a particular species of bear found in western Virginia. To make the most valid and meaningful observations, the scientist should-

• observe a large number of bears in their natural forest habitat

• observe small groups of bears in different artificial habitats created in the laboratory

• observe small groups of bear in the same artificial habitats created in the laboratory

• observe a small number of bears in the natural forest habitat

A group of scientists work together on a research project. For the results of the research to be considered valid, which statement must be true?

• all of the scientists must reach the same conclusion from the data.

• the experiment is repeated and the same results are obtained

• the experiment should test as many variables as possible

• all of the scientists must agree on the hypothesis

The purpose of a controlled experiment is to allow a scientist to isolate and test-

• several variables

• many data

• a single variable

• a conclusion

A scientist attempts to determine the effect of varying concentrations of ammonia on a bacterial culture. Several cultures of the same species of bacteria were grown in culture tubes, each with a different concentration of ammonia. The cultures were incubated in a 37 degree celsius incubator and after 24 hours the cultures were examined for bacterial growth. To improve this experimental design, the scientist should have included a control culture which-

• was incubated at room temperature

• contained no bacteria

• contained no ammonia

• was not incubated

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The purpose of a controlled experiment is to allow a scientist to isolate and test-

• several variables

• many data

• a single variable

• a conclusion

An experiment is designed to determine if plants grow better under red or yellow light. Two plants of the same species are selected of the same size and one is placed under red light and the other under yellow light. All other experimental variables are the same. Plants growth is recorded daily over two weeks. To make a valid conclusion, the experiment should-

• be published in a scientific journal

• be repeated using other species of plants

• be repeated while changing other variables

• be repeated using blue light

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

An experiment is designed to determine the effect of sterol, a plant fat, on humans. Genetically identical mice were weighed, separated into different cages and raised under identical environmental conditions except that some mice were given extra sterols in their diet. After 12 weeks, the mice were each weighed again. The results and conclusions of this experiment are limited by-

• mice being unaffected by plant sterols

• too many variables being tested at one time

• there being no experimental group in this experiment

• research data collected from mice do not necessarily predict the same results in humans.

When enough experimental data is collected to support a hypothesis, the hypothesis could become-

• only a theory

• only a law

• a classified hypothesis

• a theory or a law

A theory-

• is a question to be answered

• may be revised based on new information or scientific data

• is always true

• is the same as a hypothesis

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

A broad statement of what is believed to be true based on scientific evidence and the results of experimental data is called-

• a theory

• an inference

• a prediction

• a hypothesis