Q1Single Answer

Question

Which of the following best defines the scientific method?

Correct answer

It is a way of allowing people to make assumptions about the world.

It is a system of steps that only scientists can use inside the laboratory.

It is a series of organized steps that one can use to answer a question or solve a problem.

It is a process through which scientists can turn their observations into facts.

Hint

The Scientific Method includes: 1) making observations 2) asking questions 3) writing hypotheses 4)
experimenting 5) concluding

Explanation

The scientific method is a series of organized steps that one can use to answer a question or solve a
problem. It often starts with observations about the natural world.

Q2Single Answer

Question

Which of the following is the first step of the scientific method?

Correct answer
Formulate a hypothesis.

Identify the problem

Test the hypothesis.

Collect the data.

Hint

You must begin by answering the question: what do you want to know?

Explanation

The first step of the scientific method involves asking a question or defining a problem.

Q3Single Answer

Question

What is a hypothesis?

Correct answer

It is an observation about one of the systems of nature.

It must be proven correct by using the scientific method, otherwise the experiment is a failure.

It is a testable, educated guess as to the possible answer to a question.

It is a part of an experimental trial which helps the scientist assess his data with the use of charts and
tables.

Hint

Experiments are design based on the formulated hypothesis.

Explanation

A hypothesis is used to design an experiment to answer a question or solve a problem. It is an informed

guess based on facts and observations.

Q4Single Answer

Question

Which of the following is not an example of someone following the scientific method?

Correct answer

A girl notices that her phone is not working and wants to find out the cause of the problem. She thinks
the battery might be dead. She plugs her phone into the charger, which makes it work again. She realizes
that the phone was not charged.

A boy guesses that the sky is blue because there is evaporated water in the atmosphere. He explained to
his friends that the sky is blue like the ocean because of all the water in the sky. After this, he asks his
mom to paint his room blue.

A woman sees that the trash truck picks up her trash every week. She wonders what happens to her
trash after the trash truck takes it away. She thinks the trash goes to a place to be buried. She follows the
truck on her bicycle one day, and she sees that the trash is being burned. She realizes that her trash went
to get incinerated instead of composted.
A man sees some mold growing on his bathroom tiles. He wonders how he can get rid of it. He
remembers learning in class that nothing can live in bleach, and wonders if he can use it to kill the mold.
He uses it every Saturday, and notices that the mold is gone by the end of the month.

Hint

The Scientific Method includes creating a hypothesis and being able to test it through repeatable
experimentation.

Explanation

The Scientific Method includes creating a hypothesis and being able to test it through repeatable
experimentation. The boy concluded that the sky was blue because of water droplets without following
any of the steps of the scientific method.

Q5Multiple Choice

Question

Which of the following are the steps in scientific method?

Correct answer

Draw a conclusion.

Calculate the unknown.

Identify the problem.

Formulate a hypothesis.

Test the hypothesis.

Hint

The steps in the scientific method are complete and should be able to systematically answer a question.

Explanation

The steps of the scientific method are identifying the problem, gathering information, formulating a
hypothesis, designing a procedure to test your hypothesis, collecting data and presenting them in
appropriate format, drawing generalizations and conclusions, and applying your findings to different
situations.

Q6Single Answer

Question

How can a hypothesis be proven true?

Correct answer

You can accept or reject a hypothesis, but can never prove it to be true.

You can run an experiment to verify it.

You can publish a paper explaining how you concluded it is true.

You can create charts and tables to show it is true.

Hint

A Hypothesis is a testable, educated guess about how something works in the world.

Explanation

A hypothesis is a testable, educated guess about how something works in the world. A hypotheses can
only be supported by facts. It cannot be proven true or false.
Q7Single Answer

Question

Grace wanted to know whether pea plants grow better when placed directly under the sun. Because of
this, she designed a simple experiment using two pea plants with the same height. She placed one plant
(Plant A) directly under the sun and the other plant (Plant B) in a place where there is indirect sunlight.
After a month of observation, she noticed that the Plant B is taller than Plant A. Because of this, she
concluded that pea plants do not grow better under direct sunlight.

Which of the following steps in scientific method did Grace fail to perform?

Correct answer

identifying the problem

formulating a hypothesis

testing a hypothesis

drawing a conclusion

Hint

The scientific method consists of the following steps: (1) identifying the problem, (2) formulating a
hypothesis, (3) testing the hypothesis, and (4) drawing a conclusion.

Explanation

Grace failed to formulate a hypothesis. After identifying a problem, she immediately designed an
experiment without making a hypothesis first.
Q8Single Answer

Question

How many times should you repeat an experiment to know if the hypothesis is true?

Correct answer

There are a finite number of repeated experiments to prove that your hypothesis is true.

Once you accept your hypothesis, it already means that your hypothesis is true.

Even if you perform the same experiment infinite times, there is no telling if your hypothesis is true.

The number of repeated experiments depends on the complexity of your problem.

Hint

A hypothesis is an educated guess.

Explanation

You can never know if your hypothesis is true or false. You can just accept or reject them when you do
experiments.

Q9Single Answer

Question

After doing an extremely tedious and long experiment, the interpretation of the data and the conclusion
led you into rejecting your hypothesis. What should you do about this?
Correct answer

You should repeat the experiment until the hypothesis becomes true.

You should think about the reasons why your hypothesis was rejected and address them in the
conclusion.

You should check your experiment and change it to make your hypothesis true.

Accept the hypothesis anyway, so that you can still report and publish your work.

Hint

Sometimes a rejected hypothesis may be a good thing, because it leads to further improvements upon
future experiments.

Explanation

Sometimes a rejected hypothesis may be a good thing, because it leads to further improvements in
future experiments. It is important to be honest in your report about the results of your experiment.
Even if the results were not what you expected, you still have the opportunity to learn from them.

Q10Single Answer

Question

You wanted to know the answer to a certain question and wanted to use the scientific method. However,
you didn't test your hypothesis because you think that the answer is too obvious.

How do you think will this affect your conclusion?

Correct answer

You will not arrive at a significant and unbiased conclusion.

Your conclusion will still be accepted.

You will need to revise your hypothesis.

Your conclusion will be accepted, but it has to be revised based on your observation.

Hint

An experiment is used to test your hypothesis.

Explanation

An experiment is necessary to arrive at an acceptable conclusion.

Q1Single Answer

Question

What is the key characteristic of a good hypothesis?

Correct answer

It must be factual.

It must be testable.

It must show the relationship between the variables in the experiment.

It must be the answer to your question.

Hint

A hypothesis is an informed guess that serves as the possible answer to the problem.

Explanation

Hypothesis is an educated guess that may be the possible solution to the problem. It must be testable.

Q2Single Answer

Question

What is an independent variable?

Correct answer

It is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher in an experiment.

It is the variable that relies on another variable.

It is the variable that is represented by the experimental group.

It is the variable that is kept constant in an experiment.

Hint

Following the scientific method requires not only observation and hypothesis but also experimentation
to verify the hypothesis.

Explanation

An independent variable is a variable controlled by the researcher.

Q3Single Answer

Question

Which of the following statements is true about the control group in an experiment?

Correct answer

It is the setup that is manipulated in an experiment.

It is the group that receives treatment from the researcher.

It is the group where the researcher give their intervention.

It is the group that does not receive intervention from the researcher.

Hint

The control group is the opposite of the experimental group.

Explanation

The experimental group receives the intervention from the researcher, while the control group does not.

Q4Multiple Choice

Question

In an experiment, which of the following are true?

Correct answer
The hypothesis is an educated guess about the cause of an effect observed.

Only one hypothesis must be tested in an experiment.

All hypotheses must be proven right.

The hypothesis must be testable.

Explanation

An experiment is a way to test a hypothesis. The results of an experiment either support or do not
support the hypothesis.

Q5Single Answer

Question

Which of the following is true in an experiment?

Correct answer

The observation must be quantitative and cannot be qualitative.

If predicted results are not achieved, the experiment is a failure.

There can only be one experimental group.

If the hypothesis was rejected, you can formulate a new hypothesis and test it using another experiment.

Hint
A quantitative observation is something that is measured. A qualitative observation is not measured. For
example, "the sky is blue," is a qualitative observation, while "there are 5 liters of water in this
aquarium," is a quantitative observation.

Explanation

When your hypothesis is rejected, the next logical step to do is change your hypothesis and test it again.

Q6Single Answer

Question

What is a dependent variable?

Correct answer

It is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher in an experiment.

It is the variable that relies on another variable.

It is the variable that is represented by the control group.

It is the variable that is kept constant in an experiment.

Hint

Following the scientific method requires not only observation and hypothesis but also experimentation
to verify the hypothesis.

Explanation

A dependent variable is a variable that relies on another variable.

Q7Single Answer

Question

An agricultural scientist invents a new chemical fertilizer that has fewer environmental consequences
than conventional fertilizers. She is running experiments on several corn fields to test whether the
fertilizer is as effective as most other fertilizers. She sprays one field with her invention and another field
with a conventional fertilizer. During the harvest season, the number of "good" ears of corn are counted,
as well as the number of "bad" ears of corn.

Which of the following is the experimental group in this experiment?

Correct answer

the field to which she is applying her own invention

the field to which she is applying the other fertilizer

the conventional fertilizer

the amount of fertilizer each field gets

Hint

The experimental group is exposed to the conditions of the experiment, while the control is not.

Explanation

The experimental group is exposed to the conditions of the experiment while the control is not. The field
to which she is applying the fertilizer that she invented is the experimental group. The fertilizer itself is
the independent variable.
Q8Multiple Choice

Question

An agricultural scientist invents a new chemical fertilizer that has fewer environmental consequences
than conventional fertilizers. She is running experiments on several cornfields to test whether or not the
fertilizer is as effective as most other fertilizers. She sprays one field with her invention and another field
with a conventional fertilizer. During the harvest season, the number of "good" ears of corn are counted,
as well as the number of "bad" ears of corn.

In order for this experiment to be scientifically valid, which of the following conditions must be applied
to both fields?

Correct answer

They must receive the same amount of sunlight.

They must receive different amounts of water.

They must have the same species of corn growing in them.

They must have the different dosages of fertilizer applied.

Hint

Only the variables that are being tested should be different between the two fields.

Explanation

Only the variables that are being tested should be different between the two fields. If there are too many
differences among the two fields, the effect can be a result of a variable that was not measured in the
experiment.
Q9Multiple Choice

Question

Why do scientists communicate the results of their investigations in written reports?

Correct answer

so that other scientists will argue

so that other scientists can repeat their experiments

so that other scientists will be informed of their results

so that other scientists will envy their results

Hint

Scientists have to work together to solve world problems.

Explanation

Scientists communicate their results in written reports so other scientists can access and learn from
these results. Other scientists can also duplicate and validate the results.

Q10Single Answer

Question

What should you do if the results of an experiment turn out differently from your hypothesis?

Correct answer
You should think about the reasons why your hypothesis was rejected and address them in the
conclusion.

The experiment failed and must be repeated until the hypothesis becomes true.

The next step is to declare your hypothesis to be false and publish your results to your peers.

Accept the hypothesis as true anyway, so that your publication does not get rejected.

Hint

Sometimes a rejected hypothesis may be a good thing, because it leads to further improvements upon
future experiments.

Explanation

Sometimes a rejected hypothesis may be a good thing, because it leads to further improvements upon
future experiments. A hypothesis can never be proven "false" or "true." It is important to be honest in
the report about how well the hypothesis was supported by your explanation. Even if the results were
not what you expected, you still have the opportunity to learn from them.

Q1Multiple Choice

Question

What are the types of scientific investigation?

Correct answer

descriptive investigation
independent investigation

comparative investigation

experimental investigation

Hint

Scientific investigations may implore the use of scientific method in searching for answers.

Explanation

The three types of scientific investigations are descriptive, comparative, and experimental.

Q2Single Answer

Question

When are descriptive investigations commonly used?

Correct answer

when studying something for the first time

when comparing data under different natural conditions

when manipulating different variables and studying it

when analyzing something quantitatively

Explanation

When describing a new phenomenon, scientists often list qualities they observe. Using descriptive
investigation is suitable in this case.

Q3Single Answer

Question

When can you use comparative investigation?

Correct answer

when studying an organism under different natural conditions

when studying something for the first time

when studying a single subject

when determining the causal relationship between two quantities

Hint

Comparative investigation does not involve actually changing anything about the system. It does,
however, involve observation.

Explanation

Comparative investigation does not involve actually changing anything about the system. It does,
however, involve observation. Scientists use comparative investigation to learn more about how a
specimen reacts to naturally different conditions, like different levels of sunlight.

Q4Single Answer
Question

Which of the following is the best example of an experimental investigation?

Correct answer

James is using the microscope to draw a red blood cell.

Kaye is listing down the differences between a pitcher plant and a Venus flytrap.

Lois is varying the height of the ramp to see how it would affect the speed of the ball rolling on it.

Martha is drawing the patterns of the stars she sees every night.

Hint

Experiments involve testing hypothesis by changing variables.

Explanation

Experiments involve testing hypothesis by changing variables. In this type of investigation, scientists use
the scientific method to manipulate, control, and measure variables to learn more about something.

Q5Single Answer

Question

Gina designed an experiment wherein she varied the concentration of a fluid to see if it affects that
fluid's viscosity. To do this, she used a ramp with a fixed length and recorded the time the fluid reached
the end of the ramp.

In Gina's experiment, what is the independent variable?

Correct answer

concentration of the fluid

type of fluid

length of ramp

time it takes the fluid to reach the end of the ramp

Hint

The independent variable is the quantity that is manipulated by the researcher in an experiment.

Explanation

The independent variable is the variable that is changed by the scientist. The dependent variable is the
variable that is observed in the system as a result of the scientist's manipulation.

Q6Single Answer

Question

During a rainy season, a man sees some frog eggs in the pond behind his house. He gathers few eggs and
keeps them in an aquarium. He wants to learn more about the frog cycle.

Which type of scientific investigation is most suitable to use in this scenario?

Correct answer

Descriptive Investigation. Every day, he should observe the frogs inside the aquarium. He should draw
pictures of how the frogs are growing from the eggs.
Comparative Investigation. Every day, he should observe the frogs inside the aquarium. He should
compare the period it takes for each frog to grow.

Comparative Investigation. He should compare how the eggs look in the day, and how they look at night.

Experimental Investigation. He should test if the water level affects the growth of the frogs.

Hint

The man is studying the frog's life cycle.

Explanation

The man is studying the frog's life cycle. He can use descriptive investigation to see the frog eggs hatch
into tadpoles and grow into adult frogs.

Q7Single Answer

Question

Maria remembers learning about lipids in her biology class. She knows that all fats are lipids and can be
used for fuel. She wonders which type of fat would burn the longest time. She decides to use a pint of
vaseline, a pint of beeswax, and a pint of butter to answer her question.

Which scientific investigation can be best used to answer her question?

Correct answer

Experimental Investigation. Maria should burn a pint of each fuel and measure how long it takes for the
fuel to burn.
Experimental Investigation. Maria should buy a bigger lamp and run an experiment on how bright the
flame of the bigger one is.

Descriptive Investigation. Maria should describe each of the different fuels to learn which one would
burn the brightest.

Comparative Investigation. Maria should compare each of the different fuels to learn which one would
burn the brightest.

Hint

Maria is trying to see how long each fuel lasts. Each of the fuel is an independent variable.

Explanation

Maria is trying to see how long each fuel lasts. Maria should use experimental investigation. Each of the
fuels is an independent variable. How long the fuel lasts is a dependent variable.

Q8Single Answer

Question

A man was walking in the forest one day when he saw a beautiful bird that he had never seen before. He
wants to learn more about it, but doesn't know what type of investigative technique to use.

Which type of scientific investigation should be used to learn more about the bird?

Correct answer

Descriptive Investigation. It would help to describe the qualities of the bird. The man could later use his
drawing to compare the bird to the drawings of birds in an encyclopedia.
Descriptive Investigation. It would help him learn about things under different living conditions. It is
important to compare different living conditions of the bird.

Comparative Investigation. It would help him learn about things under different living conditions. It is
important to compare different living conditions of the bird.

Experimental Investigation. He should try to capture the bird and conduct experiments on it.

Explanation

When a scientist discovers a new specimen, they draw it so they can capture how it looks. They also list
and describe its characteristics.

Q9Single Answer

Question

Carl observed that as the temperature of an ideal given gas increases, the volume of the gas also
increases at constant pressure and number of moles.

What is the relationship between the independent and dependent variable?

Correct answer

They are directly proportional.

They are inversely proportional.

There is no relationship between the variables.

They are both constants.

Explanation

The variables are directly proportional if one variable increases, the other increases, as well.

Q10Single Answer

Question

Jonas visits the beach every day in the summer. He notices that there are some shellfish growing near
the coast. As the tide rises, he sees the shells being covered with water, and wants to learn more about
how these shellfish survive at different times of the day.

How effective is using comparative investigation in knowing more about how these shellfish thrive in
different conditions?

Correct answer

It will enable him to compare how shellfish thrives during high and low tides.

It will enable him to compare the shellfish to other sea creatures using an encyclopedia.

It will enable him to perform laboratory experiments on the shellfish.

It will enable him to understand the parts of the shellfish.

Explanation

In this scenario, Jonas wants to compare how the shellfish dare at different tide levels. Using
experimental investigation would require that he change the variables found in the shellfish's habitat. In
this case, however, he simply wants to compare what he can already see in the ocean at different times.