Question 1

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C)  Media reports can come from sources that are not peer reviewed.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C)  Media reports can come from sources that are not peer reviewed.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 2

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 3

You should not use just one epidemiological study to make policy decisions because

Accepted Answer

A)  diseases are complex. 
B)  all variables cannot be controlled in one study. 
C)  sample size can affect accuracy. 
D)  one population may not be representative of the entire population. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  diseases are complex. 
B)  all variables cannot be controlled in one study. 
C)  sample size can affect accuracy. 
D)  one population may not be representative of the entire population. 
E)  All of the above.

Question 4

You are testing the following hypothesis: Left-handed people have better hand-eye coordination than right-handed people.Based on a review of literature,you have learned that one common test of hand-eye coordination is measuring the percentage of times that someone can drop a coin into a small container from a height of 3 feet.To perform this experiment,you use a group of 25 left-handed males,25 right-handed males,25 left-handed females,and 25 right-handed females.Design an experiment to test your hypothesis and be sure to define your independent and dependent variables.

Accepted Answer

Experimental design may vary but should

Question 5

Two researchers wish to examine the effect of caffeine on alertness.  One researcher has the participants drink a cup of coffee with 100 mg of caffeine, while the other researcher has the participants take a capsule with 100 mg of caffeine.  In all other respects, these two studies are identical.  Which method do you think will answer the question best?  Why?  Are there any complicating factors that could compromise the results of one of the studies?

Accepted Answer

The study in which participants are give

Question 6

Which of the following plays a factor in misrepresentation of research data in the media?

Accepted Answer

A)  lack of understanding of the topic by the reporter 
B)  overstating the importance of the study results by the researcher 
C)  misinterpretation of the scientific terminology when trying to disseminate it to the public 
D)  time and space limitations by the media 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  lack of understanding of the topic by the reporter 
B)  overstating the importance of the study results by the researcher 
C)  misinterpretation of the scientific terminology when trying to disseminate it to the public 
D)  time and space limitations by the media 
E)  All of the above.

Question 7

Define the meaning of the word "theory" in everyday usage and scientific usage and give two examples of each type of theory.

Accepted Answer

In everyday usage,theory means an untest

Question 8

A scientific theory is

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

I observe that squirrels that live in the southeastern United States are much thinner than squirrels that live in the northeastern part of the country.I theorize that this is because the squirrels that live in the northeast have greater fat reserves for the winter months when food is scarce.Is this a scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes, it is a good educated guess. 
B)  Yes, I am taking into consideration physiological reasons for their larger size, so it's scientific. 
C)  No, it's just a hypothesis; it has not been proven to be true through extensive experimentation or quantification. 
D)  No, it cannot be proven true. 
E)  Yes, I theorized it so it qualifies as a theory. 
A)  Yes, it is a good educated guess. 
B)  Yes, I am taking into consideration physiological reasons for their larger size, so it's scientific. 
C)  No, it's just a hypothesis; it has not been proven to be true through extensive experimentation or quantification. 
D)  No, it cannot be proven true. 
E)  Yes, I theorized it so it qualifies as a theory.

Question 10

Why would the media choose to report on one scientific study versus another? Is their decision always based in science?

Accepted Answer

Often,the media choose to repo

Question 11

Would it be possible for a scientist to bias a scientific study?

Accepted Answer

A)  No, there are so many checks and balances outside of the scientist's control that it's impossible to show bias in a scientific study. 
B)  No, because all scientific experiments are designed to be fair. 
C)  Yes, if the scientist used a large number of test subjects. 
D)  Yes, if the scientist chose specific individuals to include in the study. 
E)  Yes, if it was a randomized double-blind study. 
A)  No, there are so many checks and balances outside of the scientist's control that it's impossible to show bias in a scientific study. 
B)  No, because all scientific experiments are designed to be fair. 
C)  Yes, if the scientist used a large number of test subjects. 
D)  Yes, if the scientist chose specific individuals to include in the study. 
E)  Yes, if it was a randomized double-blind study.

Question 12

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 13

Which of the following places the steps of the scientific process in the correct order?

Accepted Answer

A)  experiment→questions→hypothesis→read literature→conclusions 
B)  questions→experiment→read literature→hypothesis→conclusions 
C)  read literature→experiment→questions→conclusion→hypothesis 
D)  questions→read literature→hypothesis→experiment→conclusions 
E)  read literature→questions→experiment→hypothesis→conclusions 
A)  experiment→questions→hypothesis→read literature→conclusions 
B)  questions→experiment→read literature→hypothesis→conclusions 
C)  read literature→experiment→questions→conclusion→hypothesis 
D)  questions→read literature→hypothesis→experiment→conclusions 
E)  read literature→questions→experiment→hypothesis→conclusions

Question 14

Peer review means what in relation to scientific journals?

Accepted Answer

A)  Review by specialists in the field 
B)  Review by the editor 
C)  Review by top scientists 
D)  Review by an editorial board 
E)  Review by people of the same age, gender, and ethnicity 
A)  Review by specialists in the field 
B)  Review by the editor 
C)  Review by top scientists 
D)  Review by an editorial board 
E)  Review by people of the same age, gender, and ethnicity

Question 15

Researchers ran three clinical trials,each using a different one of the following populations:
-250 non-smoking men ages 18 to 25
-500 smoking and non-smoking men and women ages 20 to 55
-300 smoking women ages 45 to 60
Would you expect the results of these three experiments to be the same? Explain.

Accepted Answer

No,because the three experimental groups

Question 16

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.

Question 17

If the results of an experiment contradict the hypothesis,you have _____ the hypothesis.

Accepted Answer

A)  supported 
B)  falsified 
C)  proved 
D)  failed 
E)  verified 
A)  supported 
B)  falsified 
C)  proved 
D)  failed 
E)  verified

Question 18

Two groups of people are given a drug that they are told will make them drowsy.However,only one group actually receives this drug,while the other group secretly receives a sugar pill.Strangely,both groups report feeling very tired 30 minutes later.The group receiving the sugar pill is said to be experiencing the

Accepted Answer

A)  control effect. 
B)  experimental effect. 
C)  dependent effect. 
D)  independent effect. 
E)  placebo effect. 
A)  control effect. 
B)  experimental effect. 
C)  dependent effect. 
D)  independent effect. 
E)  placebo effect.

Question 19

Epidemiologists

Accepted Answer

A)  study the incidence of diseases and risk factors in populations. 
B)  investigate skin diseases. 
C)  perform clinical trials on health issues. 
D)  examine autopsy data. 
E)  assess cancer treatments and survival outcomes. 
A)  study the incidence of diseases and risk factors in populations. 
B)  investigate skin diseases. 
C)  perform clinical trials on health issues. 
D)  examine autopsy data. 
E)  assess cancer treatments and survival outcomes.

Question 20

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.

Exam 1: The Process of Science Java Report

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

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?

You should not use just one epidemiological study to make policy decisions because

Which of the following plays a factor in misrepresentation of research data in the media?

Define the meaning of the word "theory" in everyday usage and scientific usage and give two examples of each type of theory.

A scientific theory is

Why would the media choose to report on one scientific study versus another? Is their decision always based in science?

Would it be possible for a scientist to bias a scientific study?

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

Which of the following places the steps of the scientific process in the correct order?

Peer review means what in relation to scientific journals?

Epidemiological studies

If the results of an experiment contradict the hypothesis,you have _____ the hypothesis.

Epidemiologists

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

Chemistry and Molecules of Life Mission to Mars

Cell Function and Structure Wonder Drug

Nutrition,metabolism,enzymes the Peanut Butter Project

Energy Flow and Photosynthesis the Future of Fuel

Dietary Energy and Cellular Respiration Supersize Me

DNA Structure and Replication Biologically Unique

Genes to Proteins Medicine From Milk

Cell Division and Mitosis Natures Pharmacy

Mutations and Cancer Fighting Fate

Single-Gene Inheritance and Meiosis Rock for a Cause

Complex Inheritance Qa: Genetics

Stem Cells and Cell Differentiation Grow Your Own

Natural Selection and Adaptation Bugs That Resist Drugs

A: Nonadaptive Evolution and Speciation Urban Evolution

B: Nonadaptive Evolution and Speciation Urban Evolution

Evidence for Evolution a Fish With Fingers

Life on Earth Qa: Evolution

Prokaryotic Diversity Lost City

A: Eukaryotic Diversity Rain Forest Riches

B: Eukaryotic Diversity Rain Forest Riches

Human Evolution Skin Deep

A: Population Ecology on the Tracks of Wolves and Moose

B: Population Ecology on the Tracks of Wolves and Moose

A: Community Ecology Whats Happening to Honey Bees

B: Community Ecology Whats Happening to Honey Bees

A: Ecosystem Ecology the Heat Is on

B: Ecosystem Ecology the Heat Is on

A: Sustainability the Makings of a Green City

B: Sustainability the Makings of a Green City

A: Overview of Physiology Man Versus Mountain

B: Overview of Physiology Man Versus Mountain

Digestive System Drastic Measures

A: Cardiovascular System Death in Bogalusa

B: Cardiovascular System Death in Bogalusa

Respiratory System Peak Performance

A: Central Nervous System Smoke on the Brain

B: Central Nervous System Smoke on the Brain

Reproductive System Too Many Multiples

Immune System Viral Mysteries

A: Plant Physiology

B: Plant Physiology

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