STEM Scientific Method & Engineering Process 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which criterion best distinguishes a scientific theory from a scientific hypothesis?
- A theory is a guess while a hypothesis is proven fact
- A theory has been repeatedly tested and supported by substantial evidence (Correct answer)
- A theory applies only to biological sciences
- A theory can never be revised or updated
Correct answer: A theory has been repeatedly tested and supported by substantial evidence
A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation supported by extensive evidence gathered through repeated testing.
Question 2: During peer review, a scientist's paper is returned with requests to clarify methodology. What is the primary purpose of peer review in science?
- To ensure the scientist earns publication fees
- To validate findings by having qualified experts critically evaluate the work (Correct answer)
- To prevent new ideas from challenging existing theories
- To rank scientists by the quality of their writing
Correct answer: To validate findings by having qualified experts critically evaluate the work
Peer review allows experts to scrutinize methodology and conclusions, helping ensure scientific findings are valid and reliable.
Question 3: An engineering team must choose between two designs: one is cheaper but less durable, the other is expensive but long-lasting. This represents which aspect of the engineering design process?
- Brainstorming phase
- Trade-off analysis (Correct answer)
- Prototyping phase
- Problem definition
Correct answer: Trade-off analysis
Trade-off analysis involves weighing competing criteria and constraints to select the optimal solution for a given context.
Question 4: A student claims their experiment proves that caffeine improves memory. Which flaw in reasoning should a STEM educator address first?
- The student should have used more caffeine doses
- A single experiment cannot 'prove' a claim; it can only support or fail to support a hypothesis (Correct answer)
- The student should have studied a different variable
- The conclusion is correct because caffeine affects the brain
Correct answer: A single experiment cannot 'prove' a claim; it can only support or fail to support a hypothesis
Science does not 'prove' with a single experiment; findings must be replicated and the hypothesis remains open to revision.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of qualitative data collected during a science investigation?
- The temperature dropped 4°C after adding ice
- The solution turned bright orange when heated (Correct answer)
- The reaction took 3.2 seconds to complete
- The mass of the product was 12.5 grams
Correct answer: The solution turned bright orange when heated
Qualitative data describes observable characteristics such as color, texture, or smell rather than numerical measurements.
Question 6: In the STEM Engineering Design Process, which step immediately follows 'Brainstorm Solutions'?
- Test and Evaluate
- Build a Prototype
- Select the Best Solution (Correct answer)
- Define the Problem
Correct answer: Select the Best Solution
After generating multiple potential solutions through brainstorming, engineers evaluate and select the most promising option before prototyping.
Question 7: A researcher conducts an experiment without a control group. What is the main limitation of this design?
- The experiment will take longer to complete
- There is no baseline for comparison, making it impossible to attribute changes to the independent variable (Correct answer)
- Qualitative data cannot be collected
- The hypothesis cannot be written correctly
Correct answer: There is no baseline for comparison, making it impossible to attribute changes to the independent variable
Without a control group, researchers lack a reference point, so observed effects cannot be confidently attributed to the experimental treatment.
STEM Scientific Method & Engineering Process 3
Which criterion best distinguishes a scientific theory from a scientific hypothesis?