OSAT Scientific Inquiry and Principles Flashcards

Which of the following best describes the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific law?

Answer: A theory explains phenomena while a law describes a pattern

A scientific theory explains why or how phenomena occur, while a law describes what consistently happens under certain conditions.

A researcher uses a random sample to select study participants. The PRIMARY purpose of random sampling is to:

Answer: Ensure the sample represents the population

Random sampling ensures every member of the population has an equal chance of selection, improving representativeness.

During peer review, other scientists evaluate a study before publication mainly to:

Answer: Verify findings and identify errors or flaws

Peer review is a quality-control process where experts check methodology, data, and conclusions for validity.

If experimental data does NOT support a hypothesis, a scientist should:

Answer: Revise or reject the hypothesis

Unsupported hypotheses should be revised or rejected; negative results are still valuable scientific information.

Which of the following is an example of qualitative data?

Answer: The color of a chemical solution turned blue

Qualitative data describes characteristics or qualities (like color) rather than numerical measurements.

A controlled experiment comparing a new drug to a placebo should include which essential element?

Answer: A control group receiving the placebo

A control group receiving the placebo provides a baseline to compare against the experimental treatment group.

The ability to apply scientific findings from a sample to a broader population is called:

Answer: Generalizability

Generalizability refers to the extent that study results can be applied to populations beyond the study sample.