Scientific Method Quiz
Written by Eugene Fenster Science Expert
Last updated · -23 min play time
What is the scientific method? It's a process of experimentation used to explore observations and answer questions. What else do you know?
Do you know how science is done? Find out by taking this quiz.
Quiz written by
Eugene FensterScientific Method Quiz Questions
20 Questions · 4.5K Plays · 2 Comments
Question 1
Science is based on _____.
-
Afaith
-
Bevidence
-
Cauthority
-
Dforce
evidence
Science is based on evidence, any field of endeavor that is not based on evidence is not science.
Question 2
How does a hypothesis differ from a theory?
-
AA theory is not falsifiable; a hypothesis is falsifiable.
-
BA theory and a hypothesis are different terms for the same thing.
-
CA theory is a fact; a hypothesis is a comprehensive explanation.
-
DA theory is a comprehensive explanation of a phenomenon; a hypothesis is a generalized statement that can be used to generate testable predictions.
A theory is a comprehensive explanation of a phenomenon; a hypothesis is a generalized statement that can be used to generate testable predictions.
Hypotheses are starting points that may lead to the development of a theory and may lead to evidence that supports or challenges already existing theories.
Question 3
Which of these is a prediction?
-
AMy car is too old to function properly.
-
BWhat is wrong with my car?
-
CMy car's battery is dead.
-
DIf my car does not start and I recharge the battery then my car will start.
If my car does not start and I recharge the battery then my car will start.
In science, predictions take the form of testable "if _____ then _______" statements.
Question 4
Why does good experimental design include a control group?
-
AA control group can be used to determine how an experimental animal will respond to a particular environmental factor.
-
BA control group minimizes the role of chance in an experiment.
-
CA control group minimizes the influence of sampling error.
-
DA control group provides something to which to compare to the treatment group.
A control group provides something to which to compare to the treatment group.
A control group provides a basis for comparison. Without a control group, you cannot know that your experimental (treatment) group may have behaved as it did because of the factor (variable) that was applied.
Question 5
To be scientifically valid, a hypothesis must be _____.
-
Aphrased as a question
-
Bbased on faith
-
Ctestable and falsifiable
-
Drepeatable
testable and falsifiable
If it isn't testable and falsafiable, it isn't science.
Question 6
Four groups of mice consume different amounts of sweetener in their food. The control group is the one that receives _____.
-
A20 mg/day of sweetener
-
Bno sweetener
-
Cmilk instead of water
-
D10 mg/day of sweetener
no sweetener
Since it is the impact of sweetener that is being tested, the control group is the one that does not receive any sweetener.
Question 7
Which of the following is a type of sampling error?
-
AUsing sulfuric acid when the experimental protocol requires the use of acetic acid.
-
BTaking a random sample.
-
CFailing to include a control group when conducting an experiment.
-
DUtilizing only a very few experimental subjects.
Utilizing only a very few experimental subjects.
Sampling error occurs when the scientist does not use a random sample or when the sample size is small. Failure to take a random sample may lead to the scientist's bias influencing the results. A small sample size increases the role played by chance in the outcome of the experiment.
Question 8
What step occurs after a theory has been developed?
-
ANothing, the theory is a proven fact.
-
BConstant retesting of the theory.
-
CAcceptance of the theory as unchangeable.
-
DThe awarding of a Nobel prize to the developers of the theory.
Constant retesting of the theory.
In science, everything is constanlty being subjected to testing and reexamination.
Question 9
In science, predictions may be tested by _____.
-
Aobservation, only
-
Bexperimentation, only
-
Cdeferring to authority
-
Dobservation or experimentation
observation or experimentation
Predictions can be tested by both observation and experimentation. Often the results of one suggests a new approach to the other.
Question 10
When conducting an experiment, which of the following would be considered an error of technique?
-
ATesting more than one variable at a time.
-
BAdding hydrochloric acid when the experimental protocol called for adding water.
-
CHaving a control.
-
DHaving a large sample size.
Adding hydrochloric acid when the experimental protocol called for adding water.
Not following instructions is a type of error of technique. Repeatability of the results is important to confirm the results. If there is too great a difference in the way the (same) experiment is conducted the next time then the results will not be comparable.
Question 11
To be scientifically valid, the results of an experiment must be _____.
-
Afalsifiable, only
-
Brepeatable
-
Ctestable, only
-
Dtestable and falsifiable
repeatable
If the results of an experiment cannot be replicated there is a good chance that the intial results where either due to chance or some unaccounted for phenomenon.
Question 12
If a prediction is falsified, then _____.
-
Athe prediction should be tested by observation
-
Ba new prediction can be made and tested
-
Cthe experiment must have been too complex
-
Dthe experiment must have had too large a sample size
a new prediction can be made and tested
Much can be learned from the results of an experiment regardless of whether they support or fail to support a prediction.
Question 13
Which of the following is the first step in scientific inquiry?
-
APose a question.
-
BConstruct a theory.
-
CDevelop a prediction.
-
DConstruct a hypothesis.
Pose a question.
Before you can learn about something you need to know what it is that you want to learn about.
Question 14
When following the scientific method, data analsysis follows _____.
-
Adevelopment of a hypothesis
-
Bcollecting data obtained from the experiment
-
Cdevelopment of a prediction
-
Ddevelopment of a hypothesis
collecting data obtained from the experiment
You cannot interpret data that you don't have.
Question 15
Which of the following unites all of biology into a single comprehensive science?
-
ACell Theory
-
BChromosomal Theory of Inheritance
-
CEndosymbiotic Theory
-
DEvolution
Evolution
Evolution accounts for the diversity of all life on Earth and the commonalities that links all life on Earth together.
Question 16
The results of an experiment can be used to _____.
-
Agenerate new hypotheses
-
Bsupport an untestable hypothesis
-
Cprove a hypothesis
-
Dprove a theory
generate new hypotheses
Science is an on-going approach to understanding the natural world.
Question 17
It is dark in your room and you want to see where things are so you flip the light switch. What have you just done?
-
AShown your friend how messy your room is.
-
BApplied the scientific method to solving a problem
-
CWasted electricity
-
DProven the flipping a light switch will turn on a light.
Applied the scientific method to solving a problem
From past experience you know that flipping the light switch would turn on the light. If it had not, you would have revised your hypothesis and tested a new prediction. For example, you may have chnaged the light bulb and then, again, flipped the switch.
Question 18
If in general blood pressure increases with age, then blood pressure is the _____ variable and age is the _____ variable.
-
Aindependent; dependent
-
Bindependent; independent
-
Cdependent; dependent
-
Ddependent; independent
dependent; independent
Blood pressure is, at least in part, determined (is dependent on) age. Your chronological age does not fluctuate with your blood pressure.
Question 19
The step of the scientific method that follows the posing of a questions is _____.
-
Aresearching what others have learned
-
Bconducting an experiment
-
Cconstructing a theory
-
Ddeveloping a hypothesis
researching what others have learned
Learn from and build on what has been done before. "If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." (Isaac Newton)
Question 20
Which of the following is outside the realm of science?
-
ABelief
-
BBiology
-
CPhysics
-
DAstonomy
Belief
Belief is not based on testable predictions and therefore is outside the realm of science.
Comments (2)
We want to hear your feedback! Share your scores and discuss the quiz, but keep it civil.
@amelian i agree ughh
its stupid and it has nothing to do what I did in my class