Interpreting Scientific Data Flashcards

A scatter plot shows plant height (y-axis) vs. fertilizer concentration (x-axis). The data points form a curve that rises steeply at first, then flattens. What does this pattern indicate?

Answer: Fertilizer has diminishing returns on plant growth

A curve that rises then flattens indicates diminishing returns — each additional unit of fertilizer produces less additional growth.

Two bar charts display average test scores for two schools across five years. School A's bars are consistently taller than School B's. What can be most reliably concluded?

Answer: School A consistently outperforms School B on average test scores

The data directly supports only the descriptive conclusion that School A had higher average scores; causal or predictive claims require additional evidence.

A researcher reports a p-value of 0.03 for an experiment. Using a significance threshold of α = 0.05, what is the correct interpretation?

Answer: The result is statistically significant

A p-value below the significance threshold (0.03 < 0.05) means the result is statistically significant, allowing rejection of the null hypothesis.

A table shows the number of bacteria (in millions) doubling every 20 minutes. If there are 2 million bacteria at time zero, how many will there be after 1 hour?

Answer: 16 million

Doubling three times in 60 minutes: 2 → 4 → 8 → 16 million bacteria.

A line graph shows CO₂ levels over 50 years with an overall upward trend but seasonal fluctuations. A student claims the dips in the graph prove CO₂ is decreasing. Why is this claim flawed?

Answer: The student is misinterpreting seasonal variation as a long-term trend

Seasonal fluctuations are short-term oscillations that do not negate an overall long-term upward trend visible across the full data set.

An experiment tests whether a drug lowers blood pressure. The control group receives a placebo and the treatment group receives the drug. Both groups show similar blood pressure reductions. What does this suggest?

Answer: The placebo effect or other factors may account for the reduction

Similar outcomes in both groups suggest the drug has no additional effect beyond what a placebo or natural variation can explain.

A pie chart shows that 40% of survey respondents prefer Brand A, 35% prefer Brand B, and 25% prefer Brand C. The survey had 200 respondents. How many preferred Brand B?

Answer: 70

35% of 200 = 0.35 × 200 = 70 respondents preferred Brand B.