Quiz 1: Given September 18, 2007

1.

_____  An observation that is agreed upon by the majority of scientists

2.

_____  A scientific statement that can be proven or disproven

3.

_____  An experiment that can be compared to a standard

4.

Which of the following is the correct sequence of steps, from beginning to end, in the Scientific Method:

A)

conclusions –> controlled experiment –> observations –> hypothesis

B)

controlled experiment –> inferences –> deductive proof –> hypothesis

C)

observations –> hypothesis –> controlled experiment –> conclusions

D)

conclusions –> observations –> alter observations to fit conclusions –> future research grants and awards

E)

hypothesis –> controlled experiment –> observations –> conclusions

5.

One distinction between (A) science and (B) religion, ethics, and morals is that scientific statements are:

A)

Deductive

B)

Numerical

C)

Disprovable

D)

universally accepted

E)

Ethical

6.

According to the textbook, science had its beginnings:

A)

in the ancient civilizations of Babylon and Egypt

B)

in the modern age

C)

in the Middle Ages

D)

in 1556 A.D.

E)

during the Industrial Revolution

7.

Which of the following statements is not true about assumptions of science?

A)

basic processes and laws are not the same throughout the universe

B)

generalizations can be subjected to tests that disprove them

C)

science can provide absolute proof of the truth of its theories

D)

events in the natural world follow patterns

E)

science is based on a type of reasoning known as induction

8.

Science is the search for __________ of the natural world, while technology is the search for __________ the natural world for human benefit.

A)

control; use of

B)

improvement; control of

C)

understanding; control of

D)

control; damage to

E)

improvement; damage to

9.

A hypothesis is defined as:

A)

a fact

B)

an interested inference

C)

a statement that can be disproved

D)

an accepted theory

E)

true in its facts but false in its assumptions

10.

According to its definition, the Scientific Method involves all of the following except:

A)

observations of the natural world

B)

testable hypotheses

C)

human values

D)

assumptions about the natural world

E)

inductive reasoning

11.

Explain the differences between “frontier science,” “accepted science,” and “pseudoscience.”  How are these terms related?  Give an example of each.

12.

First give examples from human history for the following statement: 'Science leads to new technological developments, just as new technology leads to new scientific discoveries.' Second, explain the difference between science and technology?  Does science ever exist completely independent of technology?  In future research, which of the two should be stressed?

13.

Can science ever be completely objective?  In what ways do human values enter into science?

14.

Explain how the meanings of the terms, “theory” and “fact”, differ between scientific usage and in everyday usage.  How do these different meanings lead to confusion and discontent in discussions of scientific and environmental issues?

1.

D

2.

A

3.

B

4.

C

5.

C

6.

A

7.

A

8.

C

9.

C

10.

C

11.

Accepted Science is made up of widely accepted ideas and theories such as gravity that everyone will agree upon. It has been tested many times (ex gravity, laws of motion). Frontier, or “cutting-edge” science is largely untested.  It may later become accepted or rejected as scientists reproduce tests and experiements (ex gaia hypothesis).  When some people continue to believe in rejected theories, that is “pseudoscience” (ex astrology, phrenology).

12.

Galileo studied the stars and became a source of new scientific knowledge. That knowledge stimulated the construction and use of telescopes.

Madame Curie discovered radioactivity. This led to modern nuclear power. See question #8 for definitions of science and technology. Science can be independent of technology but might be limited in scope. Technology is typically very dependent on science in some form. Future research you can argue either way, be sure to include support.

13.

Yes or No can both be argued successfully, but no is the better and easier choice. Support your answer with a description of things that might stop a scientist from being objective, money, faith, personal belief, desire to succeed etc.

14.

Theory and fact have different meaning from everyday use and scientific use. The difficulty and arguments arise when scientists are misunderstood as they use a term because the common person has a different definition. To resolve the conflict speakers and writers need to be very clear about how the word is being chosen.