Nature of Science

In scientific research, scientists should clearly publish the procedures used in their experiments, along with their observations and data. Why is it important for someone else to know the procedure?

• Knowing the procedure allows for replication of the experiment.

• Knowing the procedure helps others understand the reasons for the experiment.

• Knowing the procedure demonstrates the technical proficiency of the scientist.

• Knowing the procedure can explain how the data were interpreted by the scientist.

Based on the information in the charts, which of the following would be a step in replicating one of the above experiments?

• Sandra adds 30 milliliters (mL) of water to the third seedling each day.

• Miguel adds 20 milliliters (mL) of water to the second seedling each day.

• Sandra conducts a second and third trial, leaving the lamp on for the same periods of time.

• Miguel adds 30 milliliters (mL) of water to a potted seedling placed 10 centimeters (cm) from a lamp.

A basic principle for scientific research is that the experiment must be able to be replicated. What happens when an experiment is replicated?

• A scientist publisher accepts the experimental results for printing.

• No one in the scientific community agrees with the methods or results.

• Other scientists perform the same experiment and get comparable results.

• The scientific researcher performs the experiment many times and gets the same results.

Ralph conducted an experiment to study the effect of temperature change on the heart rate of Daphnia, transparent aquatic invertebrates commonly known as water fleas. Ralph heated three different beakers of water containing Daphnia to a different temperature: 30oC, 32oC, and 34oC. He put a drop of water from each beaker on a slide mount. He then used a microscope to observe Daphnia in each sample. He counted the number of heartbeats in one minute and averaged his results. Which of the following could be a step in a replication of this experiment?

• Ralph observing Daphnia in water at 30°C, 32°C, and 34°C.

• Ralph’s classmate Mina observing Daphnia in water at 28°C, 26°C, and 24°C.

• Ralph’s classmate observing Daphnia in water at 30°C, 32°C, and 34°C.

• Ralph observing Daphnia in water with different concentrations of dissolved salt at 30°C, 32°C, and 34°C.

The scientific community communicates its finding to the rest of the world by publishing its work in scientific journals. This enables others to replicate and repeat other scientists’ experiments to accept or reject the hypothesis and conclusions of others. However, individual scientists do not submit their work to the scientific community before making sure they are right. How best can they ensure that their results are valid?

• Scientists hire editors to review their lab reports.

• Scientists partner with mathematicians to check over all their data and charts and graphs.

• Scientists repeat their experiments just a few times.

• Scientists repeat their experiments over and over many times to ensure they have taken everything into consideration to communicate quality results.

What does the overlap of meteorology and ecology in studying climate change imply about science?

• Meteorology and ecology are the same type of science.

• When scientific disciplines overlap, researchers should choose new topics.

• Different scientific disciplines can be used to investigate similar questions.

• There should be fewer sciences, as they seem to answer the same questions.

Which of the following provided evidence that the "canals" on Mars were simply natural formations?

• Probes were sent to Mars that collected data about the planet’s surface.

• Astronauts landed on the Moon and observed different surface conditions there.

• A survey was conducted to see how many people thought there was life on Mars.

• A computer model simulated the formation of landforms using data from geological fieldwork on Earth.

A group of scientists has been asked to conduct a study on how an oil spill will affect the surrounding sea life. The scientists decide that the best way to complete the study is to create a model. Which of the following is the most likely reason that the scientists will use a model instead of creating an actual oil spill study?

• A computer model simulated the formation of landforms using data from geological fieldwork on Earth.

• Scientists have been asked to conduct a study on how an oil spill will affect the surrounding sea life.

• Scientists decide that the best way to complete the study is to create a model.

• Actual oil spills are too difficult and unethical to create for study purposes.

Why might scientists use a model to study the effects of an oil spill on marine life?

• To provide more accurate results.

• To study the effects without harming surrounding sea life.

• To use different species than those found in the real ecosystem.

• To expect a greater effect than an actual oil spill in nature.

Suppose NASA discovers a new planet in a neighboring galaxy. Astronomers want to collect more information about the new planet. Which of the following methods are scientists least likely to use to study the planet?

• Travel to the distant planet and observe it directly.

• Launch satellites into space to take pictures of the planets.

• Make a model of the planet based on data already collected.

• Use a telescope to track the movement of the planet across the sky.