Question 1

It is common for repeated measurements of the same variable to be different

Accepted Answer

A)  because of the use of a bell curve. 
B)  since scientists often do not know how to make good measurements. 
C)  because of error in estimating the value. 
D)  because only car mechanics can make the most precise measurements. 
E)  since scientific equipment has not kept up with new technological advances. 
A)  because of the use of a bell curve. 
B)  since scientists often do not know how to make good measurements. 
C)  because of error in estimating the value. 
D)  because only car mechanics can make the most precise measurements. 
E)  since scientific equipment has not kept up with new technological advances.

Question 2

Which of the following is not part of science?

Accepted Answer

A)  Being objective in all aspects of an experiment 
B)  Making conclusions based on data gathered 
C)  Gathering evidence that leads to proof 
D)  Manipulating variables in an experiment 
E)  Making inferences based on general patterns 
A)  Being objective in all aspects of an experiment 
B)  Making conclusions based on data gathered 
C)  Gathering evidence that leads to proof 
D)  Manipulating variables in an experiment 
E)  Making inferences based on general patterns

Question 3

A scientist is studying air pollution in a large city. She creates a model to study the various variables involved such as population, the amount and types of cars driven, the use of public transportation, and temperature. What is the main advantage of the scientist's use of a model in this experiment?

Accepted Answer

A)  She will be able to show the scientific community that the model is effective. 
B)  She can change many variables at once in order to see how they interact with each other. 
C)  She will be able to measure each continuous variable with perfect precision. 
D)  She can change one variable and observe the response of the system. 
E)  She will have an experiment with no uncertainty when the study is completed. 
A)  She will be able to show the scientific community that the model is effective. 
B)  She can change many variables at once in order to see how they interact with each other. 
C)  She will be able to measure each continuous variable with perfect precision. 
D)  She can change one variable and observe the response of the system. 
E)  She will have an experiment with no uncertainty when the study is completed.

Question 4

Use the following terms to construct diagrams of deductive and inductive reasoning: theory, pattern, observation, confirmation, and hypothesis. Make sure you include arrows to show how each type of reasoning works, and give a brief explanation of each type of reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Deductive reasoning is used to

Question 5

Environmental problems occur for various reasons. Suppose a single mother who is a lawyer is moving from her apartment into a house she recently purchased. She has been taking clothes and furniture she does not want to a local Goodwill. Her children have gathered up the recyclables to take them in for cash. She has some old paint that she does not want to take with her. She throws the paint cans into the trash for the curbside pick-up. Which of the following is most likely the reason she throws away the paint cans?

Accepted Answer

A)  She can't afford to drop off the paint at a hazardous waste facility. 
B)  She is unaware of the environmental impacts of paint going to a landfill. 
C)  She doesn't care about the environment. 
D)  She does not have time to find the nearest hazardous waste facility. 
E)  Both a and c 
A)  She can't afford to drop off the paint at a hazardous waste facility. 
B)  She is unaware of the environmental impacts of paint going to a landfill. 
C)  She doesn't care about the environment. 
D)  She does not have time to find the nearest hazardous waste facility. 
E)  Both a and c

Question 6

What is the main difference between scientists and car mechanics?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mechanics have more precise equipment to make accurate and precise measurements. 
B)  Scientists make statements that include the uncertainty in their conclusions given that it is not possible to measure any continuous variable with perfect precision. 
C)  Mechanics can be more certain because the measurement error is less important when the range of possible values is known or does not differ from one situation to another. 
D)  Both b and c 
E)  All of the above 
A)  Mechanics have more precise equipment to make accurate and precise measurements. 
B)  Scientists make statements that include the uncertainty in their conclusions given that it is not possible to measure any continuous variable with perfect precision. 
C)  Mechanics can be more certain because the measurement error is less important when the range of possible values is known or does not differ from one situation to another. 
D)  Both b and c 
E)  All of the above

Question 7

A team of environmental scientists conducted a water quality study on a river. They studied the dissolved oxygen and pH of the water. They also examined how these factors may affect fish in the pond. The dissolved oxygen levels found were 2.0 ppm and the pH was 5.0. According to this study and the charts below, what is the best conclusion that can be made based on the information given and fish survival?
  (Source: http://www.water-research.net/Watershed/dissolvedoxygen.htm)
  (Source: http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects/surface_water.html)

Accepted Answer

A)  No fish can survive at the dissolved oxygen or pH levels found in this study. 
B)  Trout and bass can live in the water based on the dissolved oxygen and pH levels found in this study. 
C)  The dissolved oxygen is high enough for fish but the pH levels are too low. 
D)  The pH levels could support trout and perch, but not bass; however, the dissolved oxygen levels are too low to support fish. 
E)  The dissolved oxygen and pH levels are good enough for all aquatic organisms to survive. 
A)  No fish can survive at the dissolved oxygen or pH levels found in this study. 
B)  Trout and bass can live in the water based on the dissolved oxygen and pH levels found in this study. 
C)  The dissolved oxygen is high enough for fish but the pH levels are too low. 
D)  The pH levels could support trout and perch, but not bass; however, the dissolved oxygen levels are too low to support fish. 
E)  The dissolved oxygen and pH levels are good enough for all aquatic organisms to survive.

Question 8

Explain why it is difficult for a scientist to apply a model from a tropical rainforest to a desert ecosystem.

Accepted Answer

Although the rainforest and desert ecosy

Question 9

Which of the following is not an example of a continuous variable?

Accepted Answer

A)  A child weighs 55 pounds. 
B)  The income of a manager at a retail store 
C)  The age of a woman is twenty-five years old. 
D)  A man's blood pressure is 120/70. 
E)  The number of eggs a goose lays in a nest 
A)  A child weighs 55 pounds. 
B)  The income of a manager at a retail store 
C)  The age of a woman is twenty-five years old. 
D)  A man's blood pressure is 120/70. 
E)  The number of eggs a goose lays in a nest

Question 10

A hypothesis is a(n) _______ and experiments are designed to _______ the hypothesis.

Accepted Answer

A)  guess; prove 
B)  question; falsify 
C)  theory; falsify 
D)  observation; prove 
E)  working premise; falsify 
A)  guess; prove 
B)  question; falsify 
C)  theory; falsify 
D)  observation; prove 
E)  working premise; falsify

Question 11

A small town will experience a potential water shortage if current consumption rates continue. Some of the residents in town want to build a dam on the river and have formed a group they named "Dam the water." Some of the residents are against the dam and state that water problem can be stopped if residents conserve water. They have named their group "No more green lawns." Which academic discipline could best help environmental scientists working with the town come to a consensus of how to address the water shortage problem in this town?

Accepted Answer

A)  Psychology, since a major theme in psychology is the response of animals and people to delayed rewards 
B)  Economics, since it works with masses of people and identifies social subgroups 
C)  Sociology, since it could suggest methods to reduce environmental conflicts of interest between groups 
D)  Anthropology, since it has the sub-discipline "game theory" 
E)  Sociobiology, since studies within this discipline look at how individuals become socialized and identify with particular subgroups 
A)  Psychology, since a major theme in psychology is the response of animals and people to delayed rewards 
B)  Economics, since it works with masses of people and identifies social subgroups 
C)  Sociology, since it could suggest methods to reduce environmental conflicts of interest between groups 
D)  Anthropology, since it has the sub-discipline "game theory" 
E)  Sociobiology, since studies within this discipline look at how individuals become socialized and identify with particular subgroups

Question 12

Charles Darwin observed differences in finches on different islands in the Galapagos Islands. He began to notice that among the finches were adaptations that helped them survive based on the local environment where they lived. He concluded that because the finches were all of the same species and the adaptations resulted in differences in beak structures for feeding, they all came from a common ancestor. This is an example of _______ reasoning.

Accepted Answer

A)  scientific 
B)  deductive 
C)  inductive 
D)  Both b and c 
E)  None of the above 
A)  scientific 
B)  deductive 
C)  inductive 
D)  Both b and c 
E)  None of the above

Question 13

You observe pigeons in your front yard and notice that the gray pigeons eat snails but the white pigeons do not. You conclude that all gray pigeons eat snails. This is called

Accepted Answer

A)  environmental science. 
B)  inductive reasoning. 
C)  deductive reasoning. 
D)  the scientific method. 
E)  designing an experiment. 
A)  environmental science. 
B)  inductive reasoning. 
C)  deductive reasoning. 
D)  the scientific method. 
E)  designing an experiment.

Question 14

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "Humans have little natural tendency to change their behaviors to help the environment globally."? Justify and defend your answer.

Accepted Answer

Agree. Humans tend to change their envir

Question 15

If we were to predict how much air pollution a large city could expect in 10 years, why would it be difficult to make a precise estimate?

Accepted Answer

There are many contributing variables wh

Question 16

Some scientists were working on an experiment to learn more about how frogs react to pesticides in the frog's aquatic habitat. They completed their studies and published in the journal, Nature. You read the study and learn that one of the scientists was part-owner of the company that produces the pesticide studied; however, they did repeat the study and the knowledge has added to the field. Other scientists are now repeating the study. What conclusion can you make about the study in regards to science?

Accepted Answer

A)  The study was objective, robust, repeated, and contributes to the body of knowledge so it is good science. 
B)  The study should be seen as suspect, but the replication and confirmation by others means that the findings are valid. 
C)  The study should not be published as it is not good science since frogs were exposed to pesticides which may have negatively affected them. 
D)  Since one of the scientists was associated with the pesticide company the study cannot be considered objective and therefore is not good science. 
E)  The conflict of interest should be overlooked as this is not a problem in science. 
A)  The study was objective, robust, repeated, and contributes to the body of knowledge so it is good science. 
B)  The study should be seen as suspect, but the replication and confirmation by others means that the findings are valid. 
C)  The study should not be published as it is not good science since frogs were exposed to pesticides which may have negatively affected them. 
D)  Since one of the scientists was associated with the pesticide company the study cannot be considered objective and therefore is not good science. 
E)  The conflict of interest should be overlooked as this is not a problem in science.

It is common for repeated measurements of the same variable to be different

Which of the following is not part of science?

Use the following terms to construct diagrams of deductive and inductive reasoning: theory, pattern, observation, confirmation, and hypothesis. Make sure you include arrows to show how each type of reasoning works, and give a brief explanation of each type of reasoning.

What is the main difference between scientists and car mechanics?

Explain why it is difficult for a scientist to apply a model from a tropical rainforest to a desert ecosystem.

Which of the following is not an example of a continuous variable?

A hypothesis is a(n) _ and experiments are designed to _ the hypothesis.

You observe pigeons in your front yard and notice that the gray pigeons eat snails but the white pigeons do not. You conclude that all gray pigeons eat snails. This is called

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "Humans have little natural tendency to change their behaviors to help the environment globally."? Justify and defend your answer.

If we were to predict how much air pollution a large city could expect in 10 years, why would it be difficult to make a precise estimate?

Risk and Uncertainty

Biodiversity

Evolutionary Responses

Human Population Dynamics

Endangered Species

Interactions Among Species

Natural Resource Use and Planning

Energy Resources

Water Resources

Waste Management

Atmosphere and Climate

Air Pollution

Policy, Ethics, and Decision-Making

Filters

Exam 1: The Scientific Method

It is common for repeated measurements of the same variable to be different

Which of the following is not part of science?

Use the following terms to construct diagrams of deductive and inductive reasoning: theory, pattern, observation, confirmation, and hypothesis. Make sure you include arrows to show how each type of reasoning works, and give a brief explanation of each type of reasoning.

What is the main difference between scientists and car mechanics?

Explain why it is difficult for a scientist to apply a model from a tropical rainforest to a desert ecosystem.

Which of the following is not an example of a continuous variable?

A hypothesis is a(n) _______ and experiments are designed to _______ the hypothesis.

You observe pigeons in your front yard and notice that the gray pigeons eat snails but the white pigeons do not. You conclude that all gray pigeons eat snails. This is called

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "Humans have little natural tendency to change their behaviors to help the environment globally."? Justify and defend your answer.

If we were to predict how much air pollution a large city could expect in 10 years, why would it be difficult to make a precise estimate?

Risk and Uncertainty

Biodiversity

Evolutionary Responses

Human Population Dynamics

Endangered Species

Interactions Among Species

Natural Resource Use and Planning

Energy Resources

Water Resources

Waste Management

Atmosphere and Climate

Air Pollution

Policy, Ethics, and Decision-Making

Filters

A hypothesis is a(n) _ and experiments are designed to _ the hypothesis.