Which is a characteristic of pseudoscience?(1 point) A. anecdotal evidence
B. specific explanations
C. testable claims
D. new hypotheses
2. Which question is impossible for scientists to answer?(1 point)
A. How long will it take ice to melt at room temperature?
B. What country has the coldest average temperature?
C. Which species of bird has the longest migration route?
D. What should be considered music and what should not?
3. A mining company hires a team of scientists to research how their mines impact local wildlife. They are not happy with the results, so they wait a few years to publish. They do not include the name of their company in the publication. The language is vague and some findings are omitted. The results are published online, not in a scientific journal.
When evaluating this information for reliability, which is most concerning?
(1 point)
A. publication type
B. reliability
C. publication date
D. authorship
4. What is the greatest advantage of using different methods that result in the same outcome?(1 point)
A. The cheaper method can be used to arrive at the same outcome.
B. The pros and cons can be identified and compared for each method.
C. Even more methods can be identified that reach the same outcome.
D. Scientists have options for when they are trying to produce a certain result.
5. If a group of astronomers developed a theory about how stars form, which event would lead to the durability of their theory?(1 point)
A. A different group of scientists finds evidence refuting the theory.
B. A rival theory is put forth at the same time that suggests something different about star formation.
C. The theory is completely replaced by newer, more popular theories over time.
D. The theory developed by the astronomers is revisited and reexamined several times.
6. Which statement is best supported by the theory of evolution?(1 point)
A. An individual’s characteristics allow it to survive and reproduce more successfully in every environment than a member of the species with less desirable characteristics.
B. Successive generations of fast individuals survive and reproduce more successfully than slow individuals of the same species.
C. Successive generations of large individuals survive and reproduce more successfully than smaller individuals of the same species.
D. An individual’s characteristics allow it to survive and reproduce more successfully in a particular environment than a member of the species with less desirable characteristics.
7. Scientists discovered that runoff from some plant fertilizers can produce algal blooms that negatively affect ocean ecosystems. Which of the following options provides evidence of how algal blooms harm ocean ecosystems?(1 point)
A. Excessive nutrients from fertilizer runoff increase the amount of plant and algae growth in water bodies.
B. Rainfall and irrigation can cause excess water to enter the soil, resulting in excess fertilizer runoff that ends up in the ocean.
C. Authorities warn the public not to let their dogs swim in water bodies with algal blooms since they could get sick from algae exposure.
D. Large algal blooms rapidly decompose, contributing to increased CO2 and low-oxygen water that can reduce fish habitats.
8. Which types of evidence do scientists use to claim a practice is a pseudoscience? Explain your answer in 1–2 sentences.
9. Elk in Yellowstone National Park were overgrazing the willow plant populations. Wolves were reintroduced and the willow plant population recovered. In three to five sentences, state two facts, make an observation, and make an inference.
10. In 3–5 sentences, explain how scientists use creativity to construct and answer scientific questions.
11. In 3–5 sentences, describe the similarities and differences between scientific laws and scientific theories.
12. Scientists often collaborate in teams to draw scientific conclusions. In 1–2 sentences, explain why scientific collaboration is important to research.
1. A. anecdotal evidence
2. D. What should be considered music and what should not?
3. D. authorship
4. B. The pros and cons can be identified and compared for each method.
5. D. The theory developed by the astronomers is revisited and reexamined several times.
6. D. An individual’s characteristics allow it to survive and reproduce more successfully in a particular environment than a member of the species with less desirable characteristics.
7. D. Large algal blooms rapidly decompose, contributing to increased CO2 and low-oxygen water that can reduce fish habitats.
8. Scientists use evidence such as lack of empirical data, reliance on anecdotal evidence, absence of peer-reviewed studies, and rejection of scientific consensus to claim that a practice is a pseudoscience.
9. Two facts: Elk were overgrazing the willow plant populations, and wolves were reintroduced. Observation: After the wolves were reintroduced, the willow plant population recovered. Inference: The presence of wolves helped balance the ecosystem by controlling the elk population, leading to the recovery of the willow plant population.
10. Scientists use creativity to generate hypotheses, design experiments, and explore new ideas and perspectives. They often think outside the box to develop innovative approaches to solve scientific problems and answer research questions.
11. Scientific laws are well-established principles that describe natural phenomena and are supported by extensive evidence. They are concise and mathematical in nature. Scientific theories, on the other hand, are broader explanations that integrate multiple hypotheses and observations. They are supported by substantial evidence but are subject to revision and refinement.
12. Scientific collaboration is important in research because it fosters the exchange of ideas, allows for critical evaluation of findings, promotes diversity of perspectives, encourages interdisciplinary approaches, and enhances the credibility and reliability of scientific conclusions through peer review and consensus-building.
1. A characteristic of pseudoscience is anecdotal evidence, which is option A. To recognize pseudoscience, it is important to look for claims based solely on personal stories or testimonials rather than empirical evidence. Anecdotal evidence can be misleading and lacks the systematic rigor required by scientific methods.
2. The question that is impossible for scientists to answer is D. "What should be considered music and what should not?" This question is subjective and open to personal interpretation, as it involves aesthetic preferences and cultural diversity. Science, with its objective and evidence-based approach, cannot provide a definitive answer to such subjective matters.
3. When evaluating the reliability of the information provided, the most concerning factor is option D, authorship. The fact that the publication does not include the name of the mining company raises concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest. It is important to know who conducted the research and if they have any biases that could influence the findings.
4. The greatest advantage of using different methods that result in the same outcome is option B, that the pros and cons of each method can be identified and compared. By employing multiple methods and comparing their strengths and weaknesses, scientists can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon they are studying and make informed decisions based on the most accurate and reliable results.
5. If a group of astronomers developed a theory about how stars form, the event that would lead to the durability of their theory is option D, that the theory developed by the astronomers is revisited and reexamined several times. The durability of a scientific theory is supported by rigorous testing, scrutiny, and the ability to withstand new evidence or challenges over time. By subjecting the theory to ongoing examination, its validity can be confirmed or adjusted based on emerging knowledge and data.
6. The statement best supported by the theory of evolution is option D. The theory of evolution asserts that certain characteristics of individuals allow them to be more successful in their environment, increasing their chances of survival and reproduction. This means that individuals with more desirable characteristics are more likely to pass on their genes to future generations, leading to the gradual evolution of the species.
7. The evidence of how algal blooms harm ocean ecosystems is provided by option D. As stated in the option, large algal blooms rapidly decompose, contributing to increased CO2 and low-oxygen water, which can lead to reduced fish habitats. This demonstrates the negative impact of algal blooms on the balance of nutrients, acidity, and oxygen levels in aquatic ecosystems, ultimately affecting the biodiversity and health of ocean ecosystems.
8. Scientists use several types of evidence to claim a practice is a pseudoscience. These include the absence of empirical data, reliance on anecdotal evidence, lack of testable claims, failure to undergo peer review in reputable scientific journals, and refusal to revise claims in light of contradictory evidence. These evidentiary factors collectively signal a lack of scientific rigor and credibility.
9. Facts: Elk overgrazed willow plant populations in Yellowstone National Park. Wolves were reintroduced. Observation: The willow plant population recovered. Inference: The reintroduction of wolves likely played a role in the recovery of the willow plant population by reducing elk overgrazing through predation, allowing the plants to regenerate.
10. Scientists use creativity to construct and answer scientific questions by thinking outside the box, developing novel hypotheses, designing innovative experiments, and exploring alternative explanations. Creativity enables scientists to approach problems from different perspectives, make new connections, and generate original ideas, ultimately pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge.
11. Scientific laws and theories are both important components of scientific understanding, but they have distinct differences. Laws describe or summarize observed patterns or relationships in nature, often expressed as mathematical equations, while theories are comprehensive explanations that integrate multiple observations, experiments, and supporting evidence. Laws are typically more limited in scope and do not explain the underlying mechanisms, whereas theories provide a broader framework that encompasses laws and attempts to explain the underlying phenomena.
12. Scientific collaboration is important to research because it allows scientists to combine their expertise, share resources, and tackle complex problems from different angles. Collaboration fosters diversity of perspectives, promotes rigorous peer review, enhances the validity and reliability of scientific findings, and encourages interdisciplinary approaches, ultimately advancing knowledge and accelerating scientific progress.
1. A. anecdotal evidence is a characteristic of pseudoscience. Pseudoscience relies heavily on personal anecdotes or individual experiences rather than empirical evidence or rigorous scientific methodology.
2. D. What should be considered music and what should not? This question is subjective and open to personal interpretation and opinions, making it impossible for scientists to answer objectively.
3. D. Authorship is the most concerning aspect when evaluating the reliability of the information in this scenario. The fact that the mining company did not include their name in the publication raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and bias in the findings.
4. B. The greatest advantage of using different methods that result in the same outcome is that it allows scientists to identify and compare the pros and cons of each method. This helps in evaluating the reliability and validity of the outcome and provides a more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon.
5. D. The theory developed by the astronomers being revisited and reexamined several times would lead to the durability of their theory. If the theory withstands repeated scrutiny and analysis over time, it gains more credibility and becomes more widely accepted by the scientific community.
6. D. According to the theory of evolution, an individual's characteristics allow it to survive and reproduce more successfully in a particular environment than a member of the species with less desirable characteristics. Evolution is driven by the process of natural selection, where individuals with advantageous traits have higher chances of survival and reproduction.
7. D. Large algal blooms rapidly decompose, contributing to increased CO2 and low-oxygen water that can reduce fish habitats. This option provides evidence of how algal blooms harm ocean ecosystems by causing low oxygen levels in the water, which negatively affects fish habitats.
8. Scientists use various types of evidence to claim a practice is a pseudoscience, including lack of empirical data, reliance on anecdotal evidence, absence of testable claims, and disregard for established scientific principles and methodologies.
9. Fact 1: Elk in Yellowstone National Park were overgrazing the willow plant populations.
Fact 2: Wolves were reintroduced in Yellowstone National Park.
Observation: After the reintroduction of wolves, the willow plant population recovered.
Inference: The presence of wolves played a role in controlling elk population, which led to the recovery of the willow plant population.
10. Scientists use creativity to construct and answer scientific questions by thinking outside the box, formulating hypotheses, designing experiments, and developing innovative methods of data collection and analysis. Creativity allows scientists to explore new possibilities, generate novel ideas, and make significant advancements in their fields.
11. Scientific laws and scientific theories are both fundamental concepts in science, but they have some key differences. Scientific laws describe observable and repeatable phenomena in nature and are often expressed in mathematical equations. On the other hand, scientific theories are comprehensive explanations that provide an understanding of a wide range of related observations and phenomena. Theories are supported by substantial evidence and can be revised or modified as new evidence emerges.
12. Scientific collaboration is important to research because it allows scientists to pool their expertise, knowledge, resources, and perspectives to tackle complex problems and achieve more robust and reliable conclusions. Collaboration fosters the exchange of ideas, promotes diversity of thought, enhances the validity of studies through peer review, and often leads to more innovative and impactful scientific discoveries.