Exam 2: Evaluating Scientific Claims

Why would it be beneficial for you to be scientifically literate when choosing whether to purchase expensive workout apparel that claims to reduce muscle fatigue and promote circulation better than other brands of apparel?

The figure below,based on data collected by The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases,graphically illustrates that as

The U.S.federal government funds the vast majority of scientific research intended to expand the "fundamental knowledge base" of sciences such as the life sciences,biomedicine,and agriculture.Since the funding comes from taxpayers,this ________ research is not considered biased.

A scientific paper that combines results from several cohort studies and a case-control study would be considered a(n)________-analysis.

When Lori was diagnosed with breast cancer,the doctor recommended a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy.Lori underwent the prescribed treatment recommended by the doctor.However,she also continued to eat lots of fruits and vegetables,walk three miles every day,and complete a daily yoga practice.Within about three months Lori was cancer-free.Afterward,Lori told everyone that her healthy lifestyle had helped to cure her.Is this conclusion reasonable given the circumstances?

Sue has twin baby boys and is trying to decide whether to have them vaccinated against chicken pox or to take them to a "chicken pox party" where they can be naturally exposed to other children who currently have chicken pox.Which of the following would be the first relevant question for Sue to research before making her decision?

Cheryl searches the Internet for information regarding the use of a particular herbal supplement because she has heard claims that it will help her safely build muscle while losing fat.During her search she comes across a site that claims to have evidence to support those claims.What questions should Cheryl ask herself as she peruses the site?

A popular post on the Internet states that hugs "transfer energy" between participants,giving them an "emotional lift." Which of the following is a scientific approach to evaluating the claim of "energy transfer" during hugs? The hypothesis for the experiment would be as follows: if one person hugs another,the person receiving the hug will have more measurable energy after the hug.

When Anna Eaton was deciding whether to vaccinate her baby,Caroline,she came across the fact that the onset of autism symptoms typically occurs around 16-24 months of age.Most children receive the MMR vaccine around the age of 15 months.This is an example of a

The graph below shows that after the childhood vaccination program was initiated in the United Kingdom in 1999,the annual number of meningitis cases in children

Your best friend,Joe,is selling a new apparatus he claims will generate "alkaline water" (having pH levels greater than 8)for you to drink in your own home.Joe also claims that drinking "alkaline water" will decrease your risk of getting cancer,lower your blood pressure,lower your blood sugar,improve your digestion,balance your body's energy,and generate a sense of well-being.You can own your own machine for just $2,500 plus shipping and handling! Which of Joe's claims are scientific and which are pseudoscientific? Include rationale,such as which claims could be tested in a lab,and describe why it is important to question Joe's claims.

The graph below shows which of the following?

The federally funded Centers for Disease Control routinely collect and evaluate data regarding communicable diseases.This information helps researchers make recommendations regarding vaccination schedules for children and adults.This is an example of

Rick has high blood pressure and decides to try an herbal supplement recommended by his friend.Which of the following questions should Rick ask first to scientifically evaluate his friend's recommendation before he begins taking the herbal supplement?

Scientific studies that compare patients with a disease to those without the disease are referred to as

You are reading a paper in the journal Vaccine that analyzed and combined the results from five observational studies involving over 1 million children and another five studies that compared children with autism to children without autism (a total of nearly 10,000 children).The paper you are reading is best recognized as a

A large biotech company would like to market a microbe that will help clean up oil spills in the ocean by actually consuming and detoxifying the oil.Would this research be basic or applied? Explain your answer.

If the Centers for Disease Control's recommended vaccination schedule is delayed,the children who do not receive their vaccines on schedule

In the fall of 2012,a veterinarian from Texas issued a press release stating that her team of scientists had completed a five-year DNA study confirming the existence of "Sasquatch" or "Bigfoot." Which of the following statements,if true,would lend support to her claims?

Observational studies that follow a particular group of individuals over a certain time period are ________ studies.