1.4–1.10: A beginner’s guide: what are the steps of the scientific method?

The scientific method is a flexible, adaptable, and efficient pathway to understanding the world.

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Question 1.18

Superstitions are:

  • a) held by many humans, but not by any non-human species.
  • b) just one of many possible forms of scientific thinking.
  • c) true beliefs that have yet to be fully understood.
  • d) irrational beliefs that actions not logically related to a course of events influence its outcome.
  • e) proof that the scientific method is not perfect.

Question 1.19

To be useful in the scientific method, an observation must be:

  • a) definite.
  • b) measurable.
  • c) proven to be true.
  • d) hypothetical.
  • e) All of the above are correct.

Question 1.20

Empirical results:

  • a) rely on intuition.
  • b) are generated by theories.
  • c) are based on observation.
  • d) cannot be replicated.
  • e) must support a tested hypothesis.

Question 1.21

To be useful, a hypothesis will:

  • a) generate a testable prediction.
  • b) lead you to the conclusions you feel confident are true.
  • c) establish many overlapping explanations for a phenomenon.
  • d) be based on evidence that cannot be falsified by scientific experimentation.
  • e) be deduced from a critical experiment.

Question 1.22

Which of the following statements is correct?

  • a) A hypothesis that does not generate a testable prediction is not useful.
  • b) Common sense is usually a good substitute for the scientific method when trying to understand the world.
  • c) The scientific method can be used only to understand scientific phenomena.
  • d) It is not necessary to make observations as part of the scientific method.
  • e) All of the above are correct.