Repetition vs Replication in Science Experiments

Daniel and Alex are both scientists. Daniel conducts an experiment testing different fuel sources for cars in the future. Daniel conducts each test three times in order to compare his data. After he finishes the trials, Daniel showed Alex his results from each trial. Alex is confused about Daniel’s results, so he decides to conduct the experiment for himself. Which scientific process did each scientist use?

• Alex and Daniel used each others data to compare their results.

• Alex and Daniel used the same hypothesis to compare their results.

• Daniel used repetition in his experiment while Alex replicated Daniel's experiment

• Daniel used replication in his experiment while Alex used repetition to conduct Daniel's experiment.

Scientists frequently repeat the experiments of others scientists. Why is this important in science?

• a. Scientists often ask each other for help in performing experiments.

• b. Replication of experiments helps to confirm and verify results.

• c. Scientists frequently perform other scientists’ experiments in order to practice their technique.

• d. Repeating experiments is an effective way to make sure a laboratory is in optimal condition.

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Experiments are often repeated many times by the same or different scientists. What is the most important reason more than one scientist should conduct an investigation using the same methods?

• a

• b

• c

• d

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Which statement is necessary in order for a scientific investigation to be valid?

• The investigation must be able to be repeated by others.

• The investigation must produce data that can be graphed.

• The investigation must follow all the steps of the scientific method.

• The investigation must have a conclusion that matches the prediction.

Ryan is testing golf balls. He drops three different brands of balls from 40 cm and measures how high they bounce. He drops each ball 10 times.

• repetition

• replication

What is the BEST reason you always repeat an experiment?

• Make sure your data is consistent and accurate

• Make sure your data supports your prediction

• Make sure your experiment is easy to do

• Make sure your experiment has lots of data

When doing an experiment Mrs. Blackman says you should always take careful notes. You were sick and tired of Mrs. Blackman telling you what to do so you didn't take careful notes. In the end Mrs. Blackman is always right and your experiment was a disaster. What do you think went wrong with your experiment since you didn't take careful notes?

• Mrs. Blackman gave you a bad grade

• You have to take detailed notes so that your experiment can be repeated

• Detailed notes let others know that you did an experiment

• Detailed notes are important so that you can change data

Caira reads in a science journal that replication and repetiton are so important, but she did not understand the  difference between them. Which of the following best explains the two terms?

• Repetition is when a scientist repeats an experiment; replication is when a scientist conducts an experiment on genetic material.

• Repetition is when a scientist does the same experiment a number of times; replication is when other scientists reproduce a scientist’s experiment.

• Repetition is when a scientist publishes in more than one scientific periodical; replication is when another scientist reproduces another scientist’s results.

• Repetition is when a scientist commits an error in an experiment the first time and must repeat it; replication is when a scientist repeats an experiment to make sure it is valid.

Dr. Smith has been reading about another scientist’s research in a physics journal. He plans to do these experiments himself and see if he gets the same result.

• repetition

• replication

Kevin was mixing a batch of glue and borax solution to make silly putty and discovered a new substance that glows in the dark. He gave Ja'nay his specific amounts of ingredients and the steps of his procedure. He asked Ja'nay to try the experiment to see if she gets the same results.

• repetition

• replication