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WorksheetsScientific Investigations
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 36mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Geologists are studying a rock formation called Devil’s Tower. They want to know how and when it formed. Which method(s) would they most likely use to conduct their investigation?
a)
making careful measurements of the size of the formation
b)
observations of rock layers and dating of rock samples
c)
controlled experiments on weathering rates of rock material
d)
cataloging the wildlife living on or near Devil’s Tower
2.
A team of doctors is testing the effects of a new drug on sickle-cell anemia patients. The team organizes the patients into two groups. The experimental group is given the drug. The control group is given a placebo, or a substance that has no medicinal value. Neither group knows whether they received the drug or the placebo. Why is having a control group an important part of this experiment?
a)
Scientists can determine the effects of the drug by comparing those patients that have been treated with the drug to those that have not.
b)
By having two groups, it allows the scientists to have a larger sample size on which to test the drug.
c)
It provides the patients with a choice of whether they want to take the experimental drug.
d)
Scientists are able to study the effects of a second drug on the group that received the placebo.
3.
An astronomer is investigating whether sunspot activity on the Sun’s surface affects weather on Earth. Which method would the astronomer most likely use to make measurements of sunspot activity?
a)
controlled experiment
b)
casual observation
c)
modeling
d)
systematic observation
4.
Sal is studying the solar system. He makes a physical model using different-sized foam balls to represent the planets. Which best describes why a physical model is a useful tool for studying the solar system?
a)
Solar system models can be used to study a system that is too big to study directly.
b)
A model of the solar system eliminates the need for scientists to study the solar system directly.
c)
A model of the solar system provides an exact replica of the actual solar system, so scientists can experience what each planet is like.
d)
A model of the solar system can provide more data about the solar system than direct observations.
5.
Carol wants to determine how a fertilizer will affect the growth of marigolds. Which best explains why Carol would choose to investigate this topic using an experiment rather than systematic observations?
a)
Her research question requires comparison, not notation and measurements.
b)
Her research question should be answered using samples that are in identical circumstances.
c)
Her research question requires changing one variable to see how it affects others.
d)
Her research question involves studying a system that is too large or dangerous to study directly
6.
Claire decided to find out which wildflowers are most abundant near roadsides in her community. Which of the following would best help Clair with her investigation?
a)
observation
b)
making a model
c)
using a computer model
d)
conducting a controlled experiment
7.
Dr. Yang conducted a field study of the nesting habits of red cardinals. Why did she choose a field study over other types of investigation?
a)
because she wanted to manipulate variables in the field
b)
because she wanted to observe the birds in their natural habitat
c)
because she wanted to simulate the life cycle of the birds in a lab
d)
because she wanted to observe a simplified version of the environment
8.
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.
9.
Cara read an article on why repetition and replication are so important, but she did not understand the difference between them. Which of the following best explains the two terms?
a)
Repetition is when a scientist repeats an experiment; replication is when a scientist conducts an experiment on genetic material.
b)
Repetition is when a scientist does the same experiment a number of times; replication is when other scientists reproduce a scientist’s experiment.
c)
Repetition is when a scientist publishes in more than one scientific periodical; replication is when another scientist reproduces another scientist’s results.
d)
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.
10.
Kaylee reads an article that states that the frequency of chirping by crickets is related to the temperature of their environment. She wants to conduct an experiment to see if this is true. Kaylee states this hypothesis: Crickets chirp more frequently when the temperature of their environment increases. What is the test variable (independent variable) and outcome variable (dependent variable) in Kaylee’s experiment?
a)
test variable (independent variable): number of crickets; outcome variable (dependent variable): frequency of chirping
b)
test variable (independent variable): temperature of environment; outcome variable (dependent variable): frequency of chirping
c)
test variable (independent variable): number of crickets; outcome variable (dependent variable): temperature of environment
d)
test variable (independent variable): frequency of chirping; outcome variable (dependent variable): temperature of environment
11.
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)
If the results are the same, replication of the investigation helps to confirm the results.
b)
The competition makes the scientists work more carefully.
c)
More than one scientist is interested in the problem.
d)
Different scientists might perform the experiment differently.
12.
Ty and Crystal are working together to learn about surface tension. They each add pennies to their own cup of water to see how many they can add before the cup overflows. Ty is able to add 15 pennies. Crystal is able to add 38. What should their next step be?
a)
They should discuss differences in their methods.
b)
They should each claim that their answer is right.
c)
They should record their results and move on to a different investigation.
d)
They should repeat the experiment using different pennies.
13.
Miguel and Blanca are each using a questionnaire with different groups of students to determine which flavor of juice is preferred. After administering their questionnaire, they compare their results and find that they are very different. How should Miguel and Blanca proceed?
a)
They should throw out their results and start over.
b)
They should decide which set of results is better and throw out the other set.
c)
They should compare their methods to see if they can explain why their results varied.
d)
One of the students should change their results so the two sets of results match up better.
14.
Scientists began exploring the ideas that make up the current atomic theory more than 2,500 years ago. Since that time, many models of the atom that were once accepted by scientists have been abandoned and replaced. Which explains why atomic models have changed over time?
a)
a model is abandoned when it is discovered to have limitations.
b)
New models have been developed as new information is discovered.
c)
The discovery of each new element requires the development of a new atomic model.
d)
Scientists discovered that models do not provide a useful way to show or explain scientific concepts.
15.
Scientific knowledge results from the interaction of scientists who are investigating natural phenomena. Which of these best describes how a scientific explanation becomes widely accepted?
a)
A hypothesis is debated by the scientific community.
b)
A hypothesis is tested repeatedly and the results of the tests are debated.
c)
A hypothesis is tested repeatedly and the results are confirmed and debated by the scientific community.
d)
A hypothesis is tested repeatedly and the results are mostly supported by the scientific investigations.
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