Question 1

A hypothesis is

Accepted Answer

A)  an idea that has been rigorously tested and never been disproven. 
B)  an idea that has been rigorously tested and only been disproven a few times. 
C)  an idea that can be tested and falsified. 
D)  an opinion. 
E)  an idea based on a person's experience or knowledge. 
A)  an idea that has been rigorously tested and never been disproven. 
B)  an idea that has been rigorously tested and only been disproven a few times. 
C)  an idea that can be tested and falsified. 
D)  an opinion. 
E)  an idea based on a person's experience or knowledge.

Question 2

A close friend has joined a clinical trial.When you ask her about the types of treatment she might be given,she tells you that neither she nor the doctor running the trial will know until the process has been completed.What type of trial has she joined?

Accepted Answer

A)  peer reviewed 
B)  double-blind 
C)  epidemiological 
D)  unsafe 
E)  theoretical 
A)  peer reviewed 
B)  double-blind 
C)  epidemiological 
D)  unsafe 
E)  theoretical

Question 3

A study was conducted to determine if the growth rate of babies differs between babies that are bottle-fed and babies that are breast-fed.In this experiment,growth rate is referred to as the

Accepted Answer

A)  controlled variable. 
B)  experimental variable. 
C)  dependent variable. 
D)  independent variable. 
E)  placebo variable. 
A)  controlled variable. 
B)  experimental variable. 
C)  dependent variable. 
D)  independent variable. 
E)  placebo variable.

Question 4

What is the importance of a placebo?

Accepted Answer

A)  It allows the researcher to treat control and experimental groups differently while allowing them to believe they are being treated the same. 
B)  It allows the researcher to treat control and experimental groups the same while allowing them to believe they are being treated differently. 
C)  It allows the researcher to use an experimental drug on more people. 
D)  It removes the need for a control group. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  It allows the researcher to treat control and experimental groups differently while allowing them to believe they are being treated the same. 
B)  It allows the researcher to treat control and experimental groups the same while allowing them to believe they are being treated differently. 
C)  It allows the researcher to use an experimental drug on more people. 
D)  It removes the need for a control group. 
E)  All of the above.

Question 5

A small sample size

Accepted Answer

A)  will likely yield a high degree of statistical significance. 
B)  is unacceptable in scientific studies. 
C)  is usually a benefit to researchers. 
D)  does not allow the use of dependent and independent variables. 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  will likely yield a high degree of statistical significance. 
B)  is unacceptable in scientific studies. 
C)  is usually a benefit to researchers. 
D)  does not allow the use of dependent and independent variables. 
E)  None of the above.

Question 6

Caffeine can

Accepted Answer

A)  help enhance memory. 
B)  cause anxiety. 
C)  cause seizures. 
D)  increase urination. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  help enhance memory. 
B)  cause anxiety. 
C)  cause seizures. 
D)  increase urination. 
E)  All of the above.

Question 7

Some of the issues faced by media personnel when reporting the latest scientific findings include all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  simplifying complex issues. 
B)  conveying information clearly. 
C)  avoiding misunderstandings. 
D)  determining what is most important about a study. 
E)  communicating the researcher's opinion about the study. 
A)  simplifying complex issues. 
B)  conveying information clearly. 
C)  avoiding misunderstandings. 
D)  determining what is most important about a study. 
E)  communicating the researcher's opinion about the study.

Question 8

Which of the following sources is most likely to provide the most scientifically rigorous and accurate information?

Accepted Answer

A)  a non-randomized clinical trial with 15,000 subjects 
B)  a randomized clinical trial with 15,000 subjects 
C)  an epidemiological study with 15,000 subjects 
D)  an endorsement of a product by a movie star 
E)  a report on a study presented by a news organization 
A)  a non-randomized clinical trial with 15,000 subjects 
B)  a randomized clinical trial with 15,000 subjects 
C)  an epidemiological study with 15,000 subjects 
D)  an endorsement of a product by a movie star 
E)  a report on a study presented by a news organization

Question 9

Why do some media reports about scientific discoveries end up being exaggerations?

Accepted Answer

A)  Findings can be misunderstood and misinterpreted. 
B)  Some studies are not done using the proper controls or scientific method,so they are unreliable;however,journalists often do not realize the distinction. 
C)  Media reports can come from sources that are not peer reviewed. 
D)  Media agencies may sensationalize news to draw more attention. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  Findings can be misunderstood and misinterpreted. 
B)  Some studies are not done using the proper controls or scientific method,so they are unreliable;however,journalists often do not realize the distinction. 
C)  Media reports can come from sources that are not peer reviewed. 
D)  Media agencies may sensationalize news to draw more attention. 
E)  All of the above.

Question 10

You carry out a clinical trial to test whether a new drug relieves the symptoms of arthritis better than a placebo.You have four groups of participants,all of whom have mildly painful arthritis (rated 6 on a scale of 1 to 10).Each group receives a daily pill as follows: group 1 (control),placebo;group 2,15 mg;group 3,25 mg;group 4,50 mg.At the end of 2 weeks,participants in each group are asked to rate their pain on a scale of 1 to 10.What is the independent variable in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

A)  the amount of pain experienced at the start of the experiment 
B)  the amount of pain experienced at the end of the experiment 
C)  the degree to which pain symptoms changed between the start and the end of the experiment 
D)  the drug 
E)  All of the answers could be the independent variable. 
A)  the amount of pain experienced at the start of the experiment 
B)  the amount of pain experienced at the end of the experiment 
C)  the degree to which pain symptoms changed between the start and the end of the experiment 
D)  the drug 
E)  All of the answers could be the independent variable.

Question 11

Evidence that is not based on systematic scientific study is known as ____ evidence.

Accepted Answer

A)  empirical 
B)  causational 
C)  anecdotal 
D)  logical 
E)  statistical 
A)  empirical 
B)  causational 
C)  anecdotal 
D)  logical 
E)  statistical

Question 12

Which news source is the most reliable source of scientific advances?

Accepted Answer

A)  Wikipedia 
B)  A peer-reviewed scientific journal 
C)  A newspaper 
D)  A popular science news website 
E)  The evening television news 
A)  Wikipedia 
B)  A peer-reviewed scientific journal 
C)  A newspaper 
D)  A popular science news website 
E)  The evening television news

Question 13

If you read about several studies on the effectiveness of a new drug to treat diabetes,which of the following would give you the most confidence in the results?

Accepted Answer

A)  one study with 50 people 
B)  one study with 500 people 
C)  one study with 1000 people 
D)  three studies done the same way,each with 50 people 
E)  three studies done the same way,each with 1000 people 
A)  one study with 50 people 
B)  one study with 500 people 
C)  one study with 1000 people 
D)  three studies done the same way,each with 50 people 
E)  three studies done the same way,each with 1000 people

Question 14

The study of the incidence of disease in a population that cannot be directly manipulated is called

Accepted Answer

A)  an experiment. 
B)  population biology. 
C)  evolutionary biology. 
D)  epidemiology. 
E)  systemic biology. 
A)  an experiment. 
B)  population biology. 
C)  evolutionary biology. 
D)  epidemiology. 
E)  systemic biology.

Question 15

Increasing a sample size

Accepted Answer

A)  provides more reliable data. 
B)  increases likelihood of getting a positive result. 
C)  increases likelihood of getting a negative result. 
D)  provides better variables. 
E)  provides better controls. 
A)  provides more reliable data. 
B)  increases likelihood of getting a positive result. 
C)  increases likelihood of getting a negative result. 
D)  provides better variables. 
E)  provides better controls.

Question 16

What are the steps used in the process of a scientific study?

Accepted Answer

A)  making initial observations that generate questions,studying the literature,generating hypotheses that are both testable and falsifiable,testing the hypothesis with experiments and analyzing the data,and making conclusions that are supported by data 
B)  generating hypotheses,conducting experiments,researching literature,making conclusions supported by the literature,and analyzing data 
C)  making initial observations that generate questions,generating hypotheses,studying the literature,conducting experiments based on literature,and making conclusions supported by data 
D)  generating hypotheses based on published literature,testing hypotheses,and making conclusions supported by data 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  making initial observations that generate questions,studying the literature,generating hypotheses that are both testable and falsifiable,testing the hypothesis with experiments and analyzing the data,and making conclusions that are supported by data 
B)  generating hypotheses,conducting experiments,researching literature,making conclusions supported by the literature,and analyzing data 
C)  making initial observations that generate questions,generating hypotheses,studying the literature,conducting experiments based on literature,and making conclusions supported by data 
D)  generating hypotheses based on published literature,testing hypotheses,and making conclusions supported by data 
E)  None of the above.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of an everyday (nonscientific)theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  Objects are attracted to one another by gravity. 
B)  Broccoli tastes better than cauliflower. 
C)  All life forms are related to each other through common ancestry. 
D)  All living things are made of cells. 
E)  The universe was created from a large cosmic explosion. 
A)  Objects are attracted to one another by gravity. 
B)  Broccoli tastes better than cauliflower. 
C)  All life forms are related to each other through common ancestry. 
D)  All living things are made of cells. 
E)  The universe was created from a large cosmic explosion.

Question 18

What is/are the major factor(s)affecting the strength of a conclusion?

Accepted Answer

A)  sample size 
B)  independent variable 
C)  dependent variable 
D)  the type of study carried out 
E)  Both A and D. 
A)  sample size 
B)  independent variable 
C)  dependent variable 
D)  the type of study carried out 
E)  Both A and D.

Question 19

Based on previous published data and some preliminary experiments done in my lab,I hypothesize that a drug called "shrinkase" will inhibit the growth of a particular type of cancerous tumor.What is my next step in the scientific process?

Accepted Answer

A)  find people with that kind of tumor 
B)  obtain a large supply of shrinkase 
C)  determine what my control and experimental groups will be 
D)  submit my hypothesis for peer review 
E)  analyze the results of my experiments 
A)  find people with that kind of tumor 
B)  obtain a large supply of shrinkase 
C)  determine what my control and experimental groups will be 
D)  submit my hypothesis for peer review 
E)  analyze the results of my experiments

Question 20

Epidemiological studies

Accepted Answer

A)  are the least common form of human health study. 
B)  have a small number of participants. 
C)  are used when manipulating people is unethical. 
D)  make conclusions based on laboratory studies. 
E)  are usually very expensive to conduct. 
A)  are the least common form of human health study. 
B)  have a small number of participants. 
C)  are used when manipulating people is unethical. 
D)  make conclusions based on laboratory studies. 
E)  are usually very expensive to conduct.

Exam 1: Process of Science

A hypothesis is

A close friend has joined a clinical trial.When you ask her about the types of treatment she might be given,she tells you that neither she nor the doctor running the trial will know until the process has been completed.What type of trial has she joined?

A study was conducted to determine if the growth rate of babies differs between babies that are bottle-fed and babies that are breast-fed.In this experiment,growth rate is referred to as the

What is the importance of a placebo?

A small sample size

Caffeine can

Some of the issues faced by media personnel when reporting the latest scientific findings include all of the following EXCEPT

Which of the following sources is most likely to provide the most scientifically rigorous and accurate information?

Why do some media reports about scientific discoveries end up being exaggerations?

Evidence that is not based on systematic scientific study is known as ____ evidence.

Which news source is the most reliable source of scientific advances?

If you read about several studies on the effectiveness of a new drug to treat diabetes,which of the following would give you the most confidence in the results?

The study of the incidence of disease in a population that cannot be directly manipulated is called

Increasing a sample size

What are the steps used in the process of a scientific study?

Which of the following is an example of an everyday (nonscientific)theory?

What is/are the major factor(s)affecting the strength of a conclusion?

Based on previous published data and some preliminary experiments done in my lab,I hypothesize that a drug called "shrinkase" will inhibit the growth of a particular type of cancerous tumor.What is my next step in the scientific process?

Epidemiological studies

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