Question 1

All of the following are examples of quantitative data EXCEPT .
A) the amount of sleep normally gotten by the students in a class
B) the number of siblings that students have
C) the gender of the students in a class
D) the cholesterol levels of the students in a class
E) the exam scores for the students in a class

Accepted Answer

Quantitative data involves numerical measurements or counts. The amount of sleep, number of siblings, cholesterol levels, and exam scores are all numerical measurements, but gender is not quantifiable in the same way. Gender is a categorical variable, meaning it is a characteristic that cannot be measured in numerical terms.

Question 2

If the puppies in the experimental group gain, on average, 3 pounds more than those in the control group over a 4 -month period and seem healthier and more energetic, then .
A) there is a high probability that the veterinary diet is better than kibble for all dogs
B) they have proven that the kibble diet is best for female dogs
C) there is a high probability that the kibble is better for puppies
D) there is a high probability that the veterinary diet is better than kibble for puppies
E) they have proven the veterinary diet is best for all dogs

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that the experimental group, likely fed a veterinary diet, showed more positive outcomes compared to the control group, presumably fed kibble, indicating the veterinary diet could be more beneficial for puppies.

Question 3

Which of the following lists the steps of the scientific method in correct order?
A) Hypothesis -Prediction -Questions -Observations -Test -Results
B) Hypothesis -Prediction -Questions -Test -Observations -Results
C) Observations -Questions -Hypothesis -Prediction -Test -Results
D) Questions -Observations -Prediction -Hypothesis -Test -Results
E) Questions -Prediction -Hypothesis -Observations -Test -Results

Accepted Answer

The correct sequence for the scientific method is: making observations, asking questions based on those observations, forming a hypothesis to answer the questions, making predictions based on the hypothesis, testing the predictions through experiments or further observations, and analyzing the results to confirm or refute the hypothesis.

Question 4

When they write up their initial proposal, the instructor will probably .
A) tell them that they need at least 100 dogs to do the study
B) tell them they have some serious problems with the proposal, but it is fixable if they are willing to find more dogs for their study
C) tell them that the proposal is impossible and that such a study cannot be done at all
D) give them an F and tell them to start over-it would take many years to do such a study
E) give them an A for thoroughness and allow them to proceed with the experiment

Accepted Answer

The instructor's feedback is likely to point out issues with the proposal but also suggest that it can be improved by increasing the number of dogs involved, indicating that the proposal has potential but needs adjustments.

Question 5

One dependent variable in this study will be .
A) the breed of the dogs
B) the sex of the dogs
C) the age of the dogs
D) how much the dogs grow
E) the type of food the dogs receive

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or observed in an experiment. In this study, the dependent variable is how much the dogs grow. This is because the researchers are interested in seeing how the different independent variables (such as the breed of the dogs, the sex of the dogs, the age of the dogs, and the type of food the dogs receive) affect the growth of the dogs.

Question 6

Pablo and Johanna appear not to have given consideration to the importance of controlling for .
A) possible differences resulting from using two different breeds of dog
B) the age of the dogs
C) the source of the dog food
D) the possibility that one dog food is healthier than the other dog food
E) the food that the dogs are being fed

Accepted Answer

Pablo and Johanna did not consider the potential impact of using two different breeds of dogs, which could introduce variability in the results.

Question 7

A study's results are deemed worthy of acceptance into the body of scientific knowledge if they are published in journals which .
A) conform to current political and religious views
B) use the peer review process
C) meet guidelines advocated by environmentalists or consumer groups
D) charge a high fee for acceptance
E) are funded by corporations financing the research

Accepted Answer

The peer review process involves multiple experts in the field reviewing and critiquing the study before it is accepted for publication. This helps ensure that the study meets certain standards of scientific rigor and accuracy, making it more likely to contribute valid and valuable information to the body of scientific knowledge. None of the other answer choices have a direct relation to the acceptance of a study into scientific knowledge.

Question 8

Pablo and Johanna have too many _.
A) variables that they didn't control and not enough replicates
B) replicates and not enough variables
C) independent variables and not enough dependent variables
D) controlled variables and not enough uncontrolled variables
E) dependent variables and not enough independent variables

Accepted Answer

Pablo and Johanna having too many variables that they didn't control and not enough replicates indicates a common issue in experimental design where controlling for all variables is crucial for valid results, and sufficient replicates are needed to ensure reliability and statistical significance of the findings.

Question 9

What type of graph would be best for showing means for several different treatments?
A) line graph
B) pie chart
C) scatter plot
D) bar graph
E) data table

Accepted Answer

A bar graph would be the best choice for showing means for several different treatments because it allows for easy comparison of the means between the different treatments. A line graph is used to show trends over time, a pie chart is used to show proportions, a scatter plot is used to show the relationship between two variables, and a data table is used to display data in a tabular format.

Question 10

When does peer review occur during the scientific process?
A) after the paper (manuscript) is written and before it is published
B) during the statistical analysis of the data collected
C) during the research phase of a project
D) after the research is complete and before the paper (manuscript) is written
E) after the paper (manuscript) is published

Accepted Answer

Peer review occurs after the paper (manuscript) is written and before it is published. It is a crucial step in ensuring the quality and validity of scientific research, as peer reviewers evaluate the methods, results, and conclusions of the study before it is published in a scientific journal. Peer review helps to prevent errors and biases and ensures that the research is based on sound scientific principles.

Quiz 1: Science and Sustainability: an Introduction to Environmental Science

All of the following are examples of quantitative data EXCEPT .

If the puppies in the experimental group gain, on average, 3 pounds more than those in the control group over a 4 -month period and seem healthier and more energetic, then .

Which of the following lists the steps of the scientific method in correct order?

When they write up their initial proposal, the instructor will probably .

One dependent variable in this study will be .

Pablo and Johanna appear not to have given consideration to the importance of controlling for .

A study's results are deemed worthy of acceptance into the body of scientific knowledge if they are published in journals which .

Pablo and Johanna have too many _.

What type of graph would be best for showing means for several different treatments?

When does peer review occur during the scientific process?