Scientific Investigation Quiz: MCQ!

1. What skill is a scientist using when she listens to the sounds that whales make?

Making observations

Interpreting data

Drawing conclusions

Making a hypothesis

When a scientist listens to the sounds that whales make, she is using the skill of making observations. By actively listening to the sounds produced by whales, the scientist is gathering information about their behavior, communication patterns, and other aspects of their lives. This process of carefully observing and noting down the sounds made by whales is a crucial step in scientific research and helps in gaining insights and understanding about these marine creatures.

Explanation

When a scientist listens to the sounds that whales make, she is using the skill of making observations. By actively listening to the sounds produced by whales, the scientist is gathering information about their behavior, communication patterns, and other aspects of their lives. This process of carefully observing and noting down the sounds made by whales is a crucial step in scientific research and helps in gaining insights and understanding about these marine creatures.

2. When a scientist shares her findings with other scientists, she is

Making a hypothesis

Communicating results

Analyzing data

Experimenting

When a scientist shares her findings with other scientists, she is communicating results. This involves presenting the data, methods, and conclusions of her research to other scientists in a clear and concise manner. By doing so, she allows other scientists to review and evaluate her work, contribute to the scientific knowledge, and potentially replicate or build upon her findings. Communication of results is an essential part of the scientific process, promoting collaboration and advancing scientific understanding.

Explanation

When a scientist shares her findings with other scientists, she is communicating results. This involves presenting the data, methods, and conclusions of her research to other scientists in a clear and concise manner. By doing so, she allows other scientists to review and evaluate her work, contribute to the scientific knowledge, and potentially replicate or build upon her findings. Communication of results is an essential part of the scientific process, promoting collaboration and advancing scientific understanding.

3. When you decide whether or not the data supports the original hypothesis, you are:

Drawing conclusions

Making observations

Forming a hypothesis

Asking questions

When you decide whether or not the data supports the original hypothesis, you are drawing conclusions. This means that you are analyzing the data and making a judgment about whether it aligns with the initial hypothesis or not. Drawing conclusions involves evaluating the evidence and reasoning logically to reach a decision. It is an important step in the scientific method as it helps to determine the validity of the hypothesis and guide future research or experiments.

Explanation

When you decide whether or not the data supports the original hypothesis, you are drawing conclusions. This means that you are analyzing the data and making a judgment about whether it aligns with the initial hypothesis or not. Drawing conclusions involves evaluating the evidence and reasoning logically to reach a decision. It is an important step in the scientific method as it helps to determine the validity of the hypothesis and guide future research or experiments.

4. A scientist hypothesizes the temperature at which an alligator's egg is incubated will determine whether the alligator will be male or female. The independent variable is:

The gender of the alligator

The temperature

The incubator

The male alligators

The independent variable in this experiment is the temperature. The scientist is hypothesizing that the temperature at which the alligator's egg is incubated will determine the gender of the alligator. Therefore, the scientist will manipulate and control the temperature in order to test this hypothesis. The gender of the alligator is not the independent variable as it is the outcome or dependent variable that the scientist is trying to explain or predict. The incubator and the male alligators are not mentioned in relation to the hypothesis, so they are not the independent variable.

Explanation

The independent variable in this experiment is the temperature. The scientist is hypothesizing that the temperature at which the alligator's egg is incubated will determine the gender of the alligator. Therefore, the scientist will manipulate and control the temperature in order to test this hypothesis. The gender of the alligator is not the independent variable as it is the outcome or dependent variable that the scientist is trying to explain or predict. The incubator and the male alligators are not mentioned in relation to the hypothesis, so they are not the independent variable.

5. A scientist performed an experiment that had an unexpected result. Before telling anyone about the result, the scientist performed the experiment again. What is the most likely reason the scientist performed the experiment more than once?

The scientist wanted to make sure no one else could do the experiment.

The scientist had extra chemicals and wanted to use them all.

The scientist wanted to be sure the results were accurate.

The scientist wanted to get different results.

The most likely reason the scientist performed the experiment more than once is to ensure the accuracy of the results. By repeating the experiment, the scientist can verify if the unexpected result was consistent and not a random occurrence. This helps to minimize any potential errors or biases, and increases the reliability of the findings.

Explanation

The most likely reason the scientist performed the experiment more than once is to ensure the accuracy of the results. By repeating the experiment, the scientist can verify if the unexpected result was consistent and not a random occurrence. This helps to minimize any potential errors or biases, and increases the reliability of the findings.

6. Jenny compared the average temperature and annual rainfall for two towns in the same state. The results are shown in the data table. From these results, Jenny concluded that hotter weather causes more rain to fall. What is another reasonable interpretation of this data?

Farmon is a very cold place to live.

Colder weather causes more rain to fall.

Rain causes the temperature to increase

Davis is the rainiest town in the entire state.

Another reasonable interpretation of this data is that there may be a correlation between rainfall and temperature, where an increase in rainfall could potentially lead to an increase in temperature.

Explanation

Another reasonable interpretation of this data is that there may be a correlation between rainfall and temperature, where an increase in rainfall could potentially lead to an increase in temperature.

7. Which of the following hypotheses is written correctly?

Frozen tennis balls will not bounce as high.

If a tennis ball is frozen, it won't bounce as high as one that is not frozen.

If I freeze a tennis ball, then it will not bounce as high.

If I heat up a tennis ball it will bounce high.

The correct answer is "If I freeze a tennis ball, then it will not bounce as high." This hypothesis is written correctly because it follows the format of an "if-then" statement, which is commonly used in scientific hypotheses. It clearly states the independent variable (freezing a tennis ball) and the expected outcome (it will not bounce as high).

Explanation

The correct answer is "If I freeze a tennis ball, then it will not bounce as high." This hypothesis is written correctly because it follows the format of an "if-then" statement, which is commonly used in scientific hypotheses. It clearly states the independent variable (freezing a tennis ball) and the expected outcome (it will not bounce as high).

8. A scientist examined the numbers of two different species of insects on four different kinds of trees in the same forest. The results of her examination are shown in the data table. What inference can the scientist make about the insects?

Species B insects are the main food source for species A insects.

Species A and species B insects are very closely related.

There are more of species B insects than species A insects in the entire forest.

Species A insects prefer different kinds of trees from species B insects.

Based on the results of the examination, the scientist can infer that species A insects prefer different kinds of trees from species B insects. This can be concluded because the scientist examined the numbers of both species on four different kinds of trees, indicating that each species has a preference for specific types of trees.

Explanation

Based on the results of the examination, the scientist can infer that species A insects prefer different kinds of trees from species B insects. This can be concluded because the scientist examined the numbers of both species on four different kinds of trees, indicating that each species has a preference for specific types of trees.