Exam 19: Applying the Science

An individual claims to be able to detect the presence of graves in an old cemetery by using a "dowsing" or "divining" rod.The rod is a forked twig held out in front of the individual as he walks across the cemetery.The "dowser" claims that depending on which way the twig moves (up and down or side to side)he can determine if there is a grave there,and the gender and age of the individual buried at that spot.Which of the following would NOT help you to evaluate if the dowser is a charlatan?

Therapeutic touch (TT)is a type of "energy" medicine that involves the practitioner moving his/her hands over the energy field of the patient,without actually touching the patient,but redirecting the energy field to heal the patient.If a researcher were to design a survey of TT practitioners and their patients to determine the validity of TT,which of the following questions would NOT be helpful in determining the validity of the survey?

This figure,based on data collected by The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases,graphically illustrates that a disease is less likely to spread to vulnerable members of a population if most of the population is immunized against the disease.This phenomenon occurs because

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC),by the end of September 2014,roughly 8,000 cases of whooping cough had been reported in California for that year;more than 250 patients (mostly infants and young children)were hospitalized with 58 of them requiring intensive care.Several other childhood diseases that were once common but then eradicated through high vaccination rates have returned since the antivaccination movement grew in the 1990s.The epidemiological data collected by CDC indicates this resurgence of childhood diseases is most likely the result of

A pharmaceutical company conducts trials on animals and cell lines to determine the safety of a new vaccine before performing clinical trials on adult human volunteers.This is an example of

Which of the following examples indicates a situation where the researcher is most likely to have a possible bias regarding his/her work?

When determining whether or not a claim about a new cleansing juice diet is scientific or pseudoscientific,which of the following is NOT a helpful question to ask yourself?

Which of the following would NOT be a reason for a peer-reviewed paper to be retracted by its publisher as untrue or inaccurate?

You search the Internet for information regarding the use of a particular herbal supplement because you have heard claims that it will help you safely build muscle while losing fat.During your search you come across a site that claims to have evidence to support those claims.What questions should you ask as you peruse the site?

A statement about how the world works that can be supported,or not,by using the scientific method is a(n)________ claim.

MATCHING Indicate below which texts are examples of primary literature and which are examples of secondary literature. -Discover,a popular magazine about science

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

You are reading an article written by Neil Shubin et al.regarding the pectoral fin of Tiktaalik roseae in the peer-reviewed journal Nature.This article is an example of

A popular meme 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: If one person hugs another,the person receiving the hug will have more measureable energy after the hug.

A scientist publishes a paper in a peer-reviewed journal;this paper is later retracted.Which of the following (if found to be true)is NOT a legitimate reason for the retraction?

The reliability of primary scientific literature is strengthened by the ________ in which the work is examined by other leaders in the same field.For instance,a scientific paper examining the evolution of tetrapods would be reviewed by other evolutionary biologists and paleontologists.

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.Afterwards,Lori told everyone that her healthy lifestyle had helped to cure her.Is this conclusion reasonable given the circumstances?

MATCHING Indicate below which texts are examples of primary literature and which are examples of secondary literature. -Biology Now,your textbook

You discover that a holistic treatment called "ear candling" involves putting the end of wax-coated cloth cone (a "candle")into your ear and lighting it on fire,letting it burn to within about 4 inches of your face,and then repeating with a new candle.This process is supposed to remove tension,anxiety,and stress from your body.Which of the following statements or questions would NOT be helpful in scientifically evaluating these claims?

Which of the following is NOT a reason to scientifically evaluate the plausibility of claims made by a psychic who states that a missing child is alive and located in a particular area of the countryside months after the child went missing?