DLM Science Literacy 4

Question 1

What does 'peer review' mean in scientific publishing?

Accepted Answer

Other experts in the field evaluate the research for accuracy and validity

Answer

Peer review is a process where other qualified scientists evaluate a study's methods, data, and conclusions before it is published.

Question 2

A student claims that students who eat breakfast score higher on tests. To test this with an experiment, the independent variable would be:

Accepted Answer

Whether students eat breakfast or not

Answer

The independent variable is the factor the experimenter deliberately changes or controls; in this case, whether breakfast is eaten.

Question 3

If an experiment yields unexpected results that contradict the hypothesis, the scientist should:

Accepted Answer

Analyze the results and consider revising the hypothesis or experimental design

Answer

Unexpected results are valuable; scientists analyze them critically and may revise their hypothesis or improve their experimental design.

Question 4

Which unit of measurement is part of the International System of Units (SI) used in science?

Accepted Answer

Meters

Answer

The meter is the SI unit of length; science primarily uses SI units for consistency and international communication.

Question 5

A scientist finds a correlation between ice cream sales and drowning rates. What is the most reasonable conclusion?

Accepted Answer

A third factor (hot weather) likely explains both increases

Answer

Correlation does not imply causation; both ice cream sales and drowning rates increase in hot weather, making temperature the confounding variable.

(DLM) Dynamic Learning Maps Practice Test