Name:__________________
Science 8 Hagan
Scientific Method Q's
1) Which statement best describes a scientific
theory?
A) It is a collection of data designed to provide
support for a prediction.
B) It is an educated guess that can be tested by
experimentation.
C) It is a scientific fact that no longer requires
any evidence to support it.
D) It is a general statement that is supported
by many scientific observations.
2) In an experiment, what should be the relationship
between the control group and the experimental
group?
A) They should be different in size
B) They should resemble each other in at least
two
respects
C) They should not be similar in any respect
D) They should be identical in all respects
except one
3) A student conducted an original, well-designed
experiment, carefully following proper scientific
procedure. In order for the conclusions to become
generally accepted, the experiment must
A) contain several experimental variables
B) be repeated to verify the reliability of the
data
C) support the original hypothesis
D) be conducted by a scientist
4) In an experiment, a factor that changes is called a
A) control.
C) variable.
B) hypothesis.
D) check factor.
5) The logical and systematic process of solving a
problem is known as
A)
B)
C)
D)
an experiment.
the conclusion.
the scientific method.
a hypothesis.
6) Which of the following is defined as a scientist's
possible answer to a problem?
A) experiment
C) conclusion
B) hypothesis
D) fact
Page: _____
Date______ Period______
7) What is the part of an experiment that does not
change, and serves as a basis for comparison?
A) control
B) hypothesis
C) scientific method D) variable
8) A group of people was used to test the
effectiveness of a new toothpaste compared to
their regular toothpaste. Which of the following
procedures represents a controlled test?
A) Have everyone in the group brush with the
new toothpaste.
B) Have everyone brush with both their regular
toothpaste and the new toothpaste.
C) Have half the group brush with the new
toothpaste and the other half not brush their
teeth.
D) Have half the group brush with the new
toothpaste and the other half with their
regular toothpaste.
9) In an experiment designed to find out if dogs
prefer to have food of a specific shape, it would be
best to
A) use different brands of dog food with
different shapes.
B) use the same brand of dog food, but with
different colors.
C) use the same exact kind of dog food, but
with different shapes.
D) add a special ingredient to some of the dog
food.
10) Why is it important to accurately record the
procedures and results of an experiment?
A) So that you know what you did.
B) So that others can admire your work.
C) So that others can check to see if you did
your experiment correctly.
D) So that others can repeat your
experiment to see if they get the same
results.
11) In order to make observations, an observer must
always use
A)
B)
C)
D)
experiments
the senses
proportions
mathematical calculations
12) During a laboratory activity, a student combined
two solutions. In the laboratory report, the
student wrote “A yellow color appeared.” The
statement represents the student’s recorded
A) conclusion
C) hypothesis
B) observation
D) inference
13) Base your answer to the following question on
the information below, and on your knowledge of biology.
An experiment was carried out to answer the question "Does the pH of water affect the
growth of radish plants?" Two groups of ten radish plants were set up. One group was watered
with water having a pH of 3.0, and the other group was watered with water having a pH of 7.0.
Both groups of plants received the same amount and intensity of light, the same amount of water,
and they were grown in the same type of soil. The heights of the radish plants were measured
every 2 days for a period of 2 weeks.
Which activity might help to increase the validity of this experiment?
A)
B)
C)
D)
repeating the experiment several times
using two different types of radish seeds in each group
using the same pH for both groups of plants
placing one set of plants in sunlight and one in darkness
14) A company that manufactures a popular
multivitamin wanted to determine whether their
multivitamin had any side effects. For its initial
study, the company chose 2000 individuals to
take one of their multivitamin tablets per day for
one year. Scientists from the company surveyed
the participants to determine whether they had
experienced any side effects. The greatest
problem with this procedure is that
A)
B)
C)
D)
15) Base your answer to the following question on A
mouthwash experiment tested mouthwash against
bacteria commonly found in the mouth. Four
paper discs each with a different brand of
mouthwash were placed onto the surface of a
plate that contained food, moisture, and bacteria
commonly found in the mouth. The diagram
below shows the growth of bacteria on the plate
after 24 hours.
only one brand of vitamin was tested
the study lasted only one year
the sample size was not large enough
no control group was used
Which change in procedure would have improved the
experiment?
A) using a smaller plate with less food and moisture
B) using bacteria from many habitats other than the
mouth
C) using the same size paper discs for each
mouthwash
D) using the same type of mouthwash on each disc
Answer Key
Scientific Method questions
1)
D
2)
D
3)
B
4)
C
5)
C
6)
B
7)
A
8)
D
9)
C
10)
D
11)
B
12)
B
13)
A
14)
D
15)
C