Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a good scientific question?

Question

A) Testable
B) Specific
C) Opinion-based
D) Measurable

Answer 1

C) Opinion-based

A good scientific question should be testable, specific, and measurable, meaning it can be investigated through experimentation or observation. An opinion-based question does not meet these criteria, as it relies on personal feelings or beliefs rather than empirical evidence.

Answer 2

In a scientific experiment, what is meant by a "fair test"?
A) Testing one variable at a time while keeping all others constant
B) Allowing participants to change variables
C) Testing as many variables as possible simultaneously
D) Using only qualitative data

Answer 3

A) Testing one variable at a time while keeping all others constant

A "fair test" in a scientific experiment refers to the practice of isolating a single variable to determine its effect while controlling all other variables. This approach ensures that any changes in the results can be attributed specifically to the variable being tested, leading to valid and reliable conclusions.

Answer 4

What should be included when communicating the results of an experiment?
A) Only the positive outcomes
B) A detailed description of the methods and data
C) The hypothesis only
D) Personal opinions about the results

Answer 5

B) A detailed description of the methods and data

When communicating the results of an experiment, it is important to include a detailed description of the methods used and the data obtained. This allows others to understand how the experiment was conducted, to evaluate the results, and to replicate the study if desired. Including only positive outcomes, the hypothesis alone, or personal opinions would not provide a comprehensive or objective account of the experiment's findings.

Answer 6

Which of the following statements about scientific theories is true?
A) They are the same as hypotheses
B) They are unchangeable and fixed
C) They are well-tested and widely accepted explanations
D) They are simple guesses

Answer 7

C) They are well-tested and widely accepted explanations

Scientific theories are not the same as hypotheses; they are broader in scope and are based on a substantial body of evidence that has been repeatedly tested and confirmed. Unlike hypotheses, which are tentative propositions that can be tested, theories represent well-established explanations of natural phenomena. Additionally, theories can evolve over time as new evidence emerges, so they are not unchangeable or fixed. They are definitely not simply guesses; they are based on extensive research and validation.

Answer 8

What type of graph is commonly used to show the relationship between two variables?
A) Pie chart
B) Bar graph
C) Line graph
D) Scatter plot

Answer 9

D) Scatter plot

A scatter plot is commonly used to show the relationship between two variables. It displays data points on a two-dimensional graph, with one variable represented on the x-axis and the other on the y-axis. This allows for visual identification of trends, correlations, or patterns between the two variables. Line graphs can also show relationships, particularly when depicting changes over time, but scatter plots are specifically used to illustrate correlations between two variables.

Answer 10

What does it mean to "analyze data"?
A) To simply collect it
B) To guess its meaning
C) To organize it and look for patterns or trends
D) To ignore it if it doesn’t fit the hypothesis

Answer 11

C) To organize it and look for patterns or trends

To "analyze data" means to systematically organize, interpret, and evaluate the collected information to identify any patterns, trends, or insights. This process involves examining the data closely to draw meaningful conclusions, rather than simply collecting it, guessing its meaning, or ignoring data that does not fit a pre-existing hypothesis.