Question 1

The U.S. federal government funds the vast majority of scientific research intended to expand the fundamental knowledge base of sciences such as the life sciences, biomedicine, and agriculture. Since the funding comes from taxpayers, this ________ research is not considered biased.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The U.S. federal government funds the vast...

Question 2

You discover that a holistic treatment called "ear candling" involves putting the end of wax-coated cloth cone (a "candle") into your ear and lighting it on fire, letting it burn to within about 4 inches of your face, and then repeating with a new candle. This process is supposed to remove tension, anxiety, and stress from your body. Which of the following statements or questions would NOT be helpful in scientifically evaluating these claims?

Accepted Answer

The fact that ear candling has been used for centuries by many cultures does not necessarily provide evidence for its effectiveness in reducing tension, anxiety, and stress. It is important to focus on empirical evidence through controlled studies to evaluate these claims. The other statements or questions all provide ways to scientifically evaluate the claims of ear candling.

Question 3

You search the Internet for information regarding the use of a particular herbal supplement because you have heard claims that it will help you safely build muscle while losing fat. During your search you come across a site that claims to have evidence to support those claims. What questions should you ask as you peruse the site?

Accepted Answer

The answer of You search the Internet for information regarding...

Question 4

Scientific studies that compare patients with a disease to those without the disease are referred to as

Accepted Answer

Case-control studies are designed to compare individuals with a particular disease (cases) to those without the disease (controls) in order to identify potential risk factors or causes of the disease. Clinical trials are studies that test new treatments or interventions in human subjects. Cohort studies follow a group of individuals over time to identify potential risk factors for a particular outcome. In vitro studies are experiments performed in a laboratory setting with cells, tissues, or organisms outside of their normal biological context.

Question 5

A statement about how the world works that can be supported, or not, by using the scientific method is a(n) ________ claim.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A statement about how the world works...

Question 6

Which of the following would NOT be a reason for a peer-reviewed paper to be retracted by its publisher as untrue or inaccurate?

Accepted Answer

Contradicting research is not sufficient reason for a peer-reviewed paper to be retracted. Retractions are typically reserved for cases where the research has been shown to be fabricated, falsified, or involves plagiarism or other ethical violations. Contradicting research may prompt further discussion or investigation, but it does not necessarily mean that the original paper was untrue or inaccurate.

Question 7

Why would it be beneficial for you to be scientifically literate when choosing whether or not to purchase expensive workout apparel that claims to reduce muscle fatigue and promote circulation better than other brands of apparel?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why would it be beneficial for you...

Question 8

Evaluate the following and determine whether or not the treatment method is most likely based on science or pseudoscience. Provide a brief explanation of your answer.
"The symptoms of your cold are similar to those of mercury poisoning, so mercury should be the remedy you use. Of course, you should dilute it by using one part mercury to one trillion parts of pure water. This one all-natural remedy will treat all of your symptoms. You can trust this method because it is a very widely used system of medicine in the world and its popularity is growing. Babies and pregnant women can use this method with no adverse effects and it works in harmony with your immune system."

Accepted Answer

The answer of Evaluate the following and determine whether or...

Question 9

This figure, based on data collected by The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, graphically illustrates that a disease is less likely to spread to vulnerable members of a population if most of the population is immunized against the disease. This phenomenon occurs because

Accepted Answer

When most of the population is immunized against a disease, fewer individuals are likely to become infected, which means fewer people are able to spread the disease. This, in turn, reduces the chances that vulnerable members of the population will come in contact with contagious individuals and become infected themselves.

Question 10

Which of the following situations might present a logical reason for accepting a scientific claim made by a person who did not have appropriate credentials for making that claim?

Accepted Answer

The credibility of a scientific claim is not determined solely by the credentials of the person making the claim, but also by the evidence and support from other credible sources. If other nonbiased and credentialed scientists have conducted similar research and arrived at the same conclusion, this can provide support for the claim even if the person making it does not have appropriate credentials. This demonstrates that the claim is not just one person's opinion, but rather a widely accepted scientific finding.

Question 11

A large biotech company would like to market a microbe that will help clean up oil spills in the ocean by actually consuming and detoxifying the oil. Would this research be "basic" or "applied"? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A large biotech company would like to...

Question 12

Claims that are characterized by scientific-sounding statements, beliefs, or practices but are not actually based on the scientific method are properly viewed as ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Claims that are characterized by scientific-sounding statements,...

Question 13

Peer-reviewed scientific journals, technical reports, conference proceedings, and dissertations are considered ________ literature.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Peer-reviewed scientific journals, technical reports, conference proceedings,...

Question 14

What is a first step an individual should take when beginning to assess a "scientific" claim made by another person?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is a first step an individual...

Question 15

When individuals use the scientific process to question information and make informed decisions about the world around them, they are acting in a(n) ________ literate manner.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When individuals use the scientific process to...

Question 16

This figure, based on data collected by The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, graphically illustrates

Accepted Answer

The figure shows a sharp decrease in the number of cases of a particular disease as the percentage of vaccinated individuals increases. This is because vaccination reduces the number of people who can become infected and pass the disease on, thus limiting the potential for future outbreaks. Option B is incorrect because the figure does not show an increase in the number of cases as more people become aware of the disease. Option C is incorrect because the idea of vaccines protecting against disease does not itself provide protection- only vaccination can do this. Option D is incorrect because the idea that everyone will survive an infection and their offspring will be immune is unrealistic and not supported by the data.

Question 17

A scientist publishes a paper in a peer-reviewed journal; this paper is later retracted. Which of the following (if found to be true) is NOT a legitimate reason for the retraction?

Accepted Answer

Although the findings were not replicated, the fact that the paper suggests a valid line of reasoning and warrants further investigation is not a legitimate reason for retraction. However, the other options are legitimate reasons for retraction. Option A is a common reason for retraction, as the study may not have been designed properly or the data may have been misrepresented. Option B is another common reason for retraction, as the original findings may have been a statistical fluke or based on faulty methodology. Option C is also a legitimate reason for retraction, as it suggests that the author's findings may have been biased or motivated by financial gain.

Question 18

Indicate below which texts are examples of primary literature and which are examples of secondary literature.
-Biology Now, your textbook

Accepted Answer

The answer of Indicate below which texts are examples of...

Question 19

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), by the end of September 2014, roughly 8,000 cases of whooping cough had been reported in California for that year; more than 250 patients (mostly infants and young children) were hospitalized with 58 of them requiring intensive care. Several other childhood diseases that were once common but then eradicated through high vaccination rates have returned since the antivaccination movement grew in the 1990s. The epidemiological data collected by CDC indicates this resurgence of childhood diseases is most likely the result of

Accepted Answer

The CDC data suggests that the resurgence of childhood diseases is most likely due to reduced herd/community immunity, which is when a high percentage of a population is vaccinated against a disease, making it less likely to spread in the community. The antivaccination movement has resulted in lower vaccination rates, making it easier for the diseases to spread and infect those who are unvaccinated, including infants who are too young to receive certain vaccines. This breaks down the community's herd immunity, leaving vulnerable members of the community at risk for contracting these diseases.

Question 20

What happens when the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) recommended vaccination schedule is delayed?

Accepted Answer

Delaying the recommended vaccination schedule puts children at risk of contracting diseases that could have been prevented. The recommended schedule is created based on the optimal time frame for receiving the vaccines, and delaying the schedule can leave children vulnerable to disease.

Quiz 24: Applying the Science