Question 1

A kind of study that does not treat groups and compare the results is known as …
A) A double-blind trial
B) A test-tube study
C) A nonintervention study
D) A cautionary trial

Accepted Answer

A nonintervention study is a type of research where the researchers do not intervene, meaning they do not manipulate or treat the subjects or groups in any way, but rather observe them as they are.

Question 2

The conditional argument that expresses the logical pattern of disconfirming a hypothesis is called…
A) Modus ponens
B) Denying the antecedent
C) Affirming the consequent
D) Modus tollens

Accepted Answer

Modus tollens is the logical pattern used to disconfirm a hypothesis by demonstrating that if a certain premise is true, then a certain consequence must follow, and if that consequence is not observed, the premise is false.

Question 3

Science is not…
A) Motivated reasoning
B) Empirical
C) Evidence based
D) Fallible

Accepted Answer

Science is based on empirical evidence and is inherently fallible, as it is open to revision and correction. Motivated reasoning, however, is a bias where the conclusion influences the process of reasoning, which is contrary to the objective and systematic approach of science.

Question 4

The standards used to judge the worth of scientific theories are known as…
A) The rules of consistency
B) The criteria of evaluation
C) The criteria of adequacy
D) The scientific method

Accepted Answer

The criteria of adequacy are standards used to evaluate the worthiness and effectiveness of scientific theories. These criteria include testability, fruitfulness, scope, simplicity, and conservatism.

Question 5

Compared to Ptolemy's geocentric theory, Copernicus's heliocentric theory was…
A) More conservative
B) Superior in scope
C) More complicated
D) Simpler

Accepted Answer

Copernicus's heliocentric theory was simpler because it placed the Sun at the center of the universe, which eliminated the need for the complex system of epicycles used in Ptolemy's geocentric model.

Question 6

The theory of creationism is…
A) Conservative
B) Testable
C) Untestable
D) Fruitful

Accepted Answer

The answer of The theory of creationism is…
A) Conservative
B) Testable
C)...

Question 7

The fallacious leap to a nonnatural explanation for a phenomenon is an example of the fallacy of…
A) Appeal to ignorance
B) Begging the question
C) Straw man
D) Division

Accepted Answer

The fallacy of appeal to ignorance occurs when one argues that a lack of evidence against a position is proof of that position's correctness. In this context, suggesting a nonnatural explanation for a phenomenon because it cannot currently be explained naturally falls into this category, as it assumes that if we cannot explain something through natural means, then it must be explained through nonnatural or supernatural means. This is a classic example of arguing from ignorance, as it relies on the absence of evidence rather than the presence of evidence to support a claim.

Question 8

If a theory is testable…
A) It is true
B) There is some way to determine whether it is true or false
C) It is more likely to be true than other theories
D) It cannot predict anything

Accepted Answer

Being testable means there is a method to evaluate the theory's validity, not that it is inherently true, more likely to be true, or unable to predict anything.

Question 9

The concept of evolution began with…
A) Darwin
B) Anaximander
C) Thales
D) Plato

Accepted Answer

Anaximander, a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher who lived in Miletus, is credited with one of the earliest accounts of evolution. He proposed that life began in the water and that species evolved over time.

Question 10

Science seeks to acquire knowledge and understanding of reality through the formulation, testing, and evaluating of…
A) Deductive reasoning
B) Theories
C) Technology
D) Scientific method

Accepted Answer

The answer of Science seeks to acquire knowledge and understanding...

Question 11

The scientific method cannot be identified with any particular set of experimental or observational procedures because…
A) Science is not empirical
B) There is only one procedure used in science
C) Science is philosophical
D) There are many different methods to evaluate the worth of a hypothesis

Accepted Answer

The scientific method is flexible and encompasses a variety of approaches to inquiry, experimentation, and validation, allowing for multiple methodologies to test and evaluate hypotheses.

Question 12

The simplest theory is the one that…
A) Is physically possible
B) Doesn't need to be tested
C) Makes the fewest assumptions
D) Is the most beautiful

Accepted Answer

The simplest theory, according to Occam's Razor, is the one that makes the fewest assumptions while still explaining the phenomena.

Question 13

To test a hypothesis, scientists must…
A) Not reason deductively
B) Accurately predict the outcome of tests
C) Ignore test implications of the hypothesis
D) Derive a test implication from the hypothesis

Accepted Answer

Deriving a test implication from the hypothesis is a fundamental step in the scientific method. It involves making predictions based on the hypothesis that can then be tested through experiments or observations.

Question 14

In double-blind experiments…
A) Test results are unacceptable
B) Neither the participants nor experimenters know who receives the real treatment
C) Only the experimenters know who receives the real treatment
D) Placebos are not used

Accepted Answer

In double-blind experiments, both the participants and the experimenters are unaware of who receives the real treatment versus a placebo, if one is used. This method is used to prevent bias in research results.

Question 15

The criterion of conservatism is a measure of…
A) How well a theory fits with existing knowledge
B) The amount of diverse phenomena explained
C) The number of novel predictions made
D) The number of assumptions made

Accepted Answer

The criterion of conservatism refers to how well a new theory aligns with or fits into the existing body of knowledge. It measures the theory's compatibility with what is already known, rather than its novelty or the breadth of phenomena it explains.

Question 16

The main problem with conspiracy theories is that…
A) They violate laws of science
B) They fail the criteria of adequacy, especially the criterion of simplicity
C) People reject them for no good reason
D) They are difficult to understand

Accepted Answer

Conspiracy theories often fail the criteria of adequacy, particularly the criterion of simplicity, because they tend to propose overly complex explanations for events when simpler explanations are available and more plausible.

Question 17

In most cases, a single scientific study, a small study, or a case study…
A) Can yield strong evidence of cause and effect
B) Cannot prove very much
C) Can prove that a medical treatment works
D) Are superior to double-blind trials

Accepted Answer

A single scientific study, especially if it's small or a case study, typically cannot prove very much on its own. It may suggest hypotheses or provide preliminary evidence, but broader, more robust studies are needed to establish strong evidence of cause and effect or the efficacy of medical treatments.

Question 18

One approach that definitely does not yield a random sample in opinion polls is…
A) Margin of error
B) Inverted sampling
C) Self-selecting sampling
D) Confidence level

Accepted Answer

Self-selecting sampling does not yield a random sample because it only includes individuals who actively choose to participate, which can introduce bias and does not accurately represent the entire population.

Question 19

Maintaining a hypothesis in the face of mounting negative evidence is…
A) Unreasonable
B) Impossible
C) Acceptable
D) Reasonable

Accepted Answer

Maintaining a hypothesis despite increasing negative evidence is generally considered unreasonable because it suggests a refusal to adjust one's beliefs or theories in light of new, contradictory information.

Question 20

What is the TEST formula? How is it applied to theories?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the TEST formula? How is...

Quiz 8: Science, Nonscience, and the Media

A kind of study that does not treat groups and compare the results is known as …

The conditional argument that expresses the logical pattern of disconfirming a hypothesis is called…

Science is not…

The standards used to judge the worth of scientific theories are known as…

Compared to Ptolemy's geocentric theory, Copernicus's heliocentric theory was…

The theory of creationism is…

The fallacious leap to a nonnatural explanation for a phenomenon is an example of the fallacy of…

If a theory is testable…

The concept of evolution began with…

Science seeks to acquire knowledge and understanding of reality through the formulation, testing, and evaluating of…

The scientific method cannot be identified with any particular set of experimental or observational procedures because…

The simplest theory is the one that…

To test a hypothesis, scientists must…

In double-blind experiments…

The criterion of conservatism is a measure of…

The main problem with conspiracy theories is that…

In most cases, a single scientific study, a small study, or a case study…

One approach that definitely does not yield a random sample in opinion polls is…

Maintaining a hypothesis in the face of mounting negative evidence is…

What is the TEST formula? How is it applied to theories?