Which is a characteristic of pseudoscience?

testable claims
new hypotheses
specific explanations
anecdotal evidence

39 answers

A characteristic of pseudoscience is anecdotal evidence. Pseudoscience often relies on personal testimonies and anecdotal cases rather than rigorous scientific testing and empirical data. In contrast, true scientific claims are typically based on testable hypotheses and reproducible results.

Which is a characteristic of pseudoscience?

testable claims
new hypotheses
specific explanations
anecdotal evidence

The characteristic of pseudoscience is anecdotal evidence. Pseudoscience frequently relies on personal stories and individual experiences, rather than systematic research and empirical data. The other options, such as testable claims and new hypotheses, are traits more commonly associated with legitimate scientific inquiry.

Which question is impossible for scientists to answer? (1 point)
What should be considered music and what should not?
What country has the coldest average temperature?
Which species of bird has the longest migration route?
How long will it take ice to melt at room temperature?

The question that is impossible for scientists to answer is "What should be considered music and what should not?" This question is subjective and pertains to personal and cultural interpretations of art, making it difficult to define or answer in a scientific manner. The other questions involve measurable and objective criteria that scientists can investigate and provide answers to.

Which question is impossible for scientists to answer? (1 point)

What should be considered music and what should not?
What country has the coldest average temperature?
Which species of bird has the longest migration route?
How long will it take ice to melt at room temperature

The question that is impossible for scientists to answer definitively is "What should be considered music and what should not?" This question is subjective and depends on individual and cultural perspectives, making it outside the realm of scientific inquiry. The other questions can be answered through observation, measurement, and research.

Use the paragraph to answer the question.
A mining company hires a team of scientists to research how their mines impact local wildlife. They are not happy with the results, so they wait a few years to publish. They do not include the name of their company in the publication. The language is vague and some findings are omitted. The results are published online, not in a scientific journal.
When evaluating this information, which is most concerning?
(1 point)
authorship
publication type
publication date
reliability

When evaluating this information, the most concerning aspect is reliability. The vague language, omission of findings, and lack of transparency regarding the authorship and the publishing platform raise significant doubts about the credibility and trustworthiness of the results. If the study was conducted by a mining company that stands to benefit from favorable outcomes, this further undermines the reliability of the findings.

Use the paragraph to answer the question.

A mining company hires a team of scientists to research how their mines impact local wildlife. They are not happy with the results, so they wait a few years to publish. They do not include the name of their company in the publication. The language is vague and some findings are omitted. The results are published online, not in a scientific journal.
When evaluating this information, which is most concerning?
(1 point)
authorship
publication type
publication date
reliability

The most concerning aspect when evaluating this information is reliability. The vague language, omission of findings, the delay in publication, and the fact that the study is sponsored by a mining company that may have a vested interest in the outcomes all raise serious questions about the credibility and objectivity of the research.

Why do scientists in different parts of the world conduct similar investigations? (1 point)
Scientists try to replicate the results so it is clear the results are reliable.
Scientists are rewarded when they repeat experiments multiple times.
Scientists only trust investigations that are done in their own countries.
Scientists doing the same investigation can share costs and be economical.

Scientists in different parts of the world conduct similar investigations because scientists try to replicate the results so it is clear the results are reliable. Replication is a fundamental part of the scientific process, as it helps to validate findings and ensure that they are not due to chance or specific conditions of a particular study.

Why do scientists in different parts of the world conduct similar investigations? (1 point)

Scientists try to replicate the results so it is clear the results are reliable.
Scientists are rewarded when they repeat experiments multiple times.
Scientists only trust investigations that are done in their own countries.
Scientists doing the same investigation can share costs and be economical.

Scientists in different parts of the world conduct similar investigations because scientists try to replicate the results so it is clear the results are reliable. Replication is essential in science to confirm findings and to ensure that they are robust and applicable in various contexts.

If a group of astronomers developed a theory about how stars form, which event would lead to the durability of their theory? (1 point)
The theory is completely replaced by newer, more popular theories over time.
A rival theory is put forth at the same time that suggests something different about star formation.
A different group of scientists finds evidence refuting the theory.
The theory developed by the astronomers is revisited and reexamined several times.

The event that would lead to the durability of their theory is "The theory developed by the astronomers is revisited and reexamined several times." Reexamination and continued scrutiny by the scientific community help strengthen and validate a theory, contributing to its durability over time.

If a group of astronomers developed a theory about how stars form, which event would lead to the durability of their theory? (1 point)

The theory is completely replaced by newer, more popular theories over time.
A rival theory is put forth at the same time that suggests something different about star formation.
A different group of scientists finds evidence refuting the theory.
The theory developed by the astronomers is revisited and reexamined several times.

The event that would lead to the durability of their theory is "The theory developed by the astronomers is revisited and reexamined several times." Continuous examination and validation by the scientific community help ensure that a theory remains robust and credible over time.

Which statement is best supported by the theory of evolution? (1 point)
Successive generations of fast individuals survive and reproduce more successfully than slow individuals of the same species.
Successive generations of large individuals survive and reproduce more successfully than smaller individuals of the same species.
An individual's characteristics allow it to survive and reproduce more successfully in every environment than a member of the species with less desirable characteristics.
An individual's characteristics allow it to survive and reproduce more successfully in a particular environment than a member of the species with less desirable characteristics.

The statement best supported by the theory of evolution is "An individual's characteristics allow it to survive and reproduce more successfully in a particular environment than a member of the species with less desirable characteristics." This aligns with the concept of natural selection, where organisms with traits that are advantageous in a specific environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits on to future generations.

Which statement is best supported by the theory of evolution? (1 point)

A. Successive generations of fast individuals survive and reproduce more successfully than slow individuals of the same species.
B. Successive generations of large individuals survive and reproduce more successfully than smaller individuals of the same species.
C. An individual's characteristics allow it to survive and reproduce more successfully in every environment than a member of the species with less desirable characteristics.
D. An individual's characteristics allow it to survive and reproduce more successfully in a particular environment than a member of the species with less desirable characteristics.

The statement best supported by the theory of evolution is D. An individual's characteristics allow it to survive and reproduce more successfully in a particular environment than a member of the species with less desirable characteristics. This reflects the principle of natural selection, where specific traits confer advantages in certain environments, leading to differential survival and reproduction.

Scientists discovered that runoff from some plant fertilizers can produce algal blooms that negatively affect ocean ecosystems. Which of the following options provides evidence of how algal blooms harm ocean ecosystems? (1 point)
Excessive nutrients from fertilizer runoff increase the amount of plant and algae growth in water bodies.
Authorities warn the public not to let their dogs swim in water bodies with algal blooms since they could get sick from algae exposure.
Large algal blooms rapidly decompose, contributing to increased CO2 and low-oxygen water that can reduce fish habitats.
Rainfall and irrigation can cause excess water to enter the soil, resulting in excess fertilizer runoff that ends up in the ocean.

The option that provides evidence of how algal blooms harm ocean ecosystems is "Large algal blooms rapidly decompose, contributing to increased CO2 and low-oxygen water that can reduce fish habitats." This statement explains the negative ecological impact of algal blooms on ocean ecosystems through the process of decomposition leading to hypoxia (low oxygen levels), which can severely affect marine life.

Scientists discovered that runoff from some plant fertilizers can produce algal blooms that negatively affect ocean ecosystems. Which of the following options provides evidence of how algal blooms harm ocean ecosystems? (1 point)

Excessive nutrients from fertilizer runoff increase the amount of plant and algae growth in water bodies.
Authorities warn the public not to let their dogs swim in water bodies with algal blooms since they could get sick from algae exposure.
Large algal blooms rapidly decompose, contributing to increased CO2 and low-oxygen water that can reduce fish habitats.
Rainfall and irrigation can cause excess water to enter the soil, resulting in excess fertilizer runoff that ends up in the ocean.

The option that provides evidence of how algal blooms harm ocean ecosystems is "Large algal blooms rapidly decompose, contributing to increased CO2 and low-oxygen water that can reduce fish habitats." This statement directly explains the negative impact of algal blooms on ocean ecosystems by describing the process and consequences of their decomposition, which leads to conditions harmful to marine life.

Which types of evidence do scientists use to claim a practice is a pseudoscience? Explain your answer in 3-4 sentences.

Scientists identify a practice as pseudoscience based on several key types of evidence. These include the lack of empirical support, reliance on anecdotal evidence, and failure to adhere to the scientific method. Pseudoscience often makes unfalsifiable claims, meaning they cannot be tested or disproven through experimentation. Additionally, it may avoid peer review or fail to publish in reputable scientific journals, which further indicates a lack of adherence to rigorous scientific standards and methodology.

Elk in Yellowstone National Park were overgrazing the willow plant populations. Wolves were reintroduced and the willow plant population recovered. In four to five sentences, state two facts, make an observation, and make an inference. (4 points)

Fact 1: Elk in Yellowstone National Park were overgrazing the willow plant populations, which was detrimental to the ecosystem.
Fact 2: Wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone, leading to a recovery of the willow plant populations.
Observation: After the reintroduction of wolves, there was a noticeable increase in the number of willow plants in the area.
Inference: The presence of wolves likely helped to control the elk population, allowing willow trees to thrive and restore the ecological balance in the park.

Elk in Yellowstone National Park were overgrazing the willow plant populations. Wolves were reintroduced and the willow plant population recovered. In four to five sentences, state two facts, make an observation, and make an inference.
(original and like a 9th grader wrote it)

Fact 1: Elk in Yellowstone National Park were eating too many willow plants, causing harm to the plant population.
Fact 2: Wolves were brought back to Yellowstone, and this helped the willow plants start to grow again.
Observation: After the wolves were reintroduced, people noticed that there were many more willow trees than before.
Inference: This suggests that the wolves helped keep the elk population in check, which allowed the willow plants to recover and grow healthier in the park.

In 4-5 sentences, explain how scientists use creativity to construct and answer scientific questions.

(original and like a 9th grader wrote it)

Scientists use creativity to come up with interesting questions and new ways to explore them. For example, they might think of a unique experiment that hasn't been done before or use new technology to gather data in a different way. When analyzing results, they often brainstorm different explanations for what they observe, which can help them develop new theories. Additionally, creativity allows scientists to design models or simulations that can predict how things work in the real world. This combination of imagination and critical thinking helps them make discoveries and solve complex problems.

In 3-5 sentences, describe the similarities and differences between scientific laws and scientific theories. (4 points)
(original and like a 9th grader wrote it)

Scientific laws and scientific theories are both important parts of science, but they serve different purposes. A scientific law describes a rule or a consistent observation in nature, like how gravity works, and it usually involves clear, mathematical relationships. On the other hand, a scientific theory explains why and how something happens, based on evidence from experiments and observations; for example, the theory of evolution explains how species change over time. While laws tell us what happens under specific conditions, theories provide deeper understanding and can be tested further. Both are essential for expanding our knowledge, but they function in different ways.

Scientists often collaborate in teams to draw scientific conclusions. In 4-5 sentences, explain why scientific collaboration is important to research. (2 points)
(original and like a 9th grader wrote it)

Scientific collaboration is important because it allows researchers to combine their different skills and knowledge to tackle complex problems. When scientists work together, they can share resources, ideas, and perspectives, which can lead to more accurate results. Collaboration also allows for better critical thinking, as team members can challenge each other's ideas and improve the research process. Additionally, having multiple scientists involved can help ensure that experiments are thorough and that the findings are reliable. Overall, teamwork in science helps speed up discoveries and leads to a deeper understanding of the topics being studied.

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