ATAR Scientific Inquiry & Understanding 4

Question 1

The term 'validity' in an experiment refers to:

Accepted Answer

Whether the experiment actually measures what it claims to measure

Answer

Validity concerns whether the experimental design and measurements genuinely test the intended variable or concept.

Question 2

A researcher finds a strong positive correlation between two variables. This means:

Accepted Answer

As one variable increases, the other tends to increase

Answer

Correlation indicates a statistical association, not causation; a positive correlation means both variables tend to increase together.

Question 3

In scientific notation, the number 0.00452 is written as:

Accepted Answer

4.52 × 10⁻³

Answer

Moving the decimal point three places to the right gives 4.52, and the negative exponent reflects the small magnitude of the original number.

Question 4

Which of the following best defines 'reliability' in scientific experimentation?

Accepted Answer

The experiment produces the same results each time it is repeated under the same conditions

Answer

Reliability refers to the reproducibility of results when the experiment is repeated under identical conditions.

Question 5

A student notices that plants near a window grow taller than those in the corner of the room and concludes that light increases plant growth. What is the main weakness of this conclusion?

Accepted Answer

The conclusion ignores other variables like temperature and air circulation near the window

Answer

Without controlling for other variables such as temperature or airflow, it cannot be concluded that light alone caused the difference in growth.

(ATAR) Australian Tertiary Admission Rank Practice Test

(ATAR) Australian Tertiary Admission Rank Practice Test

ATAR Scientific Inquiry & Understanding 4