Question 1

Pseudoscientific theories often try to explain away falsifying data.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 2

Which of the following claims are testable?

Accepted Answer

A)  The world was created 3 minutes ago in a way that makes it look like it was created billions of years ago. 
B)  Smoking causes cancer. 
C)  Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. 
D)  You were a koala in a previous life 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  The world was created 3 minutes ago in a way that makes it look like it was created billions of years ago. 
B)  Smoking causes cancer. 
C)  Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. 
D)  You were a koala in a previous life 
E)  All of the above. B

Question 3

Science cannot be helpful at all when addressing questions of meaning and value.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 4

"Cold reading" is a method scientists use to test subjects for ESP.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Which of the following are a vital part of randomized experimental studies?

Accepted Answer

A)  Random selection. 
B)  A control group. 
C)  A placebo. 
D)  Making the study double blind. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  Random selection. 
B)  A control group. 
C)  A placebo. 
D)  Making the study double blind. 
E)  All of the above.

Question 6

Astrology began in ancient

Accepted Answer

A)  Mesopotamia 
B)  China 
C)  Greece 
D)  Rome 
A)  Mesopotamia 
B)  China 
C)  Greece 
D)  Rome

Question 7

If a belief is popular, comforting, or long accepted it can be rationally believed even if it does not fit with the observable facts or the clear evidence of our senses.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

A good scientific theory always makes claims that are testable.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Scientists often formulate working hypotheses without prior assumptions because those assumptions can skew the results of experimentation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Findings inconsistent with well-established scientific theories should ordinarily be rejected.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Which of the following is a scientific question?

Accepted Answer

A)  Does my life have meaning? 
B)  Should partial-birth abortions be banned? 
C)  Does everything happen for a reason? 
D)  none of the above 
A)  Does my life have meaning? 
B)  Should partial-birth abortions be banned? 
C)  Does everything happen for a reason? 
D)  none of the above

Question 12

Which pattern of reasoning do scientists commonly use to confirm, or verify, scientific hypotheses?

Accepted Answer

A)  Modus tollens 
B)  Modus ponens 
C)  Denying the antecedent 
D)  None of the above 
A)  Modus tollens 
B)  Modus ponens 
C)  Denying the antecedent 
D)  None of the above

Question 13

The conclusion of scientific arguments is not always guaranteed, but formally invalid deductive reasoning can sometimes provide persuasive evidence for scientific conclusions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

The statement "You like things to go your way" is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A)  a pseudo-statement 
B)  a Barnum statement 
C)  a self-authenticating statement 
D)  a self-fulfilling statement 
A)  a pseudo-statement 
B)  a Barnum statement 
C)  a self-authenticating statement 
D)  a self-fulfilling statement

Question 15

Science is unlike the common sense thinking we do on a daily basis.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT part of the basic pattern of scientific reasoning?

Accepted Answer

A)  Identifying the problem. 
B)  Identifying relevant assumptions. 
C)  Gathering relevant data. 
D)  Formulating hypotheses to explain the data. 
A)  Identifying the problem. 
B)  Identifying relevant assumptions. 
C)  Gathering relevant data. 
D)  Formulating hypotheses to explain the data.

Question 17

Which pattern of reasoning do scientists commonly use to disconfirm, or falsify, scientific hypotheses?

Accepted Answer

A)  Modus tollens 
B)  Modus ponens 
C)  Affirming the consequent 
D)  Denying the antecedent 
A)  Modus tollens 
B)  Modus ponens 
C)  Affirming the consequent 
D)  Denying the antecedent

Question 18

To be testable, a scientific claim must be expressed in clear, specific language.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Pseudoscientific theories often try to explain away falsifying data.

Which of the following claims are testable?

Science cannot be helpful at all when addressing questions of meaning and value.

"Cold reading" is a method scientists use to test subjects for ESP.

Which of the following are a vital part of randomized experimental studies?

Astrology began in ancient

If a belief is popular, comforting, or long accepted it can be rationally believed even if it does not fit with the observable facts or the clear evidence of our senses.

A good scientific theory always makes claims that are testable.

Scientists often formulate working hypotheses without prior assumptions because those assumptions can skew the results of experimentation.

Findings inconsistent with well-established scientific theories should ordinarily be rejected.

Which of the following is a scientific question?

Which pattern of reasoning do scientists commonly use to confirm, or verify, scientific hypotheses?

The conclusion of scientific arguments is not always guaranteed, but formally invalid deductive reasoning can sometimes provide persuasive evidence for scientific conclusions.

The statement "You like things to go your way" is an example of:

Science is unlike the common sense thinking we do on a daily basis.

Which of the following is NOT part of the basic pattern of scientific reasoning?

Which pattern of reasoning do scientists commonly use to disconfirm, or falsify, scientific hypotheses?

To be testable, a scientific claim must be expressed in clear, specific language.

Introduction to Critical Thinking

Recognizing Arguments

Basic Logical Concepts

Language

Logical Fallacies--1

Logical Fallacies--2

A Little Categorical Logic, Analyzing Arguments, Evaluating Arguments and Truth Claims

A Little Propositional Logic

Inductive Reasoning

Finding, Evaluating and Using Sources

Writing Argumentative Essays and Thinking Critically About the Media

Filters

Exam 12: Science and Pseudoscience

Pseudoscientific theories often try to explain away falsifying data.

Which of the following claims are testable?

Science cannot be helpful at all when addressing questions of meaning and value.

"Cold reading" is a method scientists use to test subjects for ESP.

Which of the following are a vital part of randomized experimental studies?

Astrology began in ancient

If a belief is popular, comforting, or long accepted it can be rationally believed even if it does not fit with the observable facts or the clear evidence of our senses.

A good scientific theory always makes claims that are testable.

Scientists often formulate working hypotheses without prior assumptions because those assumptions can skew the results of experimentation.

Findings inconsistent with well-established scientific theories should ordinarily be rejected.

Which of the following is a scientific question?

Which pattern of reasoning do scientists commonly use to confirm, or verify, scientific hypotheses?

The conclusion of scientific arguments is not always guaranteed, but formally invalid deductive reasoning can sometimes provide persuasive evidence for scientific conclusions.

The statement "You like things to go your way" is an example of:

Science is unlike the common sense thinking we do on a daily basis.

Which of the following is NOT part of the basic pattern of scientific reasoning?

Which pattern of reasoning do scientists commonly use to disconfirm, or falsify, scientific hypotheses?

To be testable, a scientific claim must be expressed in clear, specific language.

Introduction to Critical Thinking

Recognizing Arguments

Basic Logical Concepts

Language

Logical Fallacies--1

Logical Fallacies--2

A Little Categorical Logic, Analyzing Arguments, Evaluating Arguments and Truth Claims

A Little Propositional Logic

Inductive Reasoning

Finding, Evaluating and Using Sources

Writing Argumentative Essays and Thinking Critically About the Media

Filters