Question 1

A natural science research team presented arguments explaining which factors it regards as relevant and exactly why each of the factors is potentially relevant to the hypothesis being investigated. This explanation represents which step in the scientific investigation?
A) Design a procedure to ensure that the data gathered will reveal the full range of possible observations.
B) Conduct the study or the experiment and gather the data.
C) Critique the findings.
D) Identify all the factors related to the hypothesis and the phenomenon of interest that it will be important to measure, control, or monitor.

Accepted Answer

The natural science research team is identifying all the factors related to the hypothesis and the phenomenon of interest that it will be important to measure, control, or monitor.

Question 2

A natural science research team presented an explanation of the design of its study beginning with the idea that two events or factors are not related. The team then designed an experiment to try to show that this notion was mistaken. What strategy were the scientists using?
A) Testing the null hypothesis
B) Confirmatory factor analysis
C) Speculation and intuition
D) Observation and description

Accepted Answer

The scientists were testing the null hypothesis, which proposes that there is no relationship between the two events or factors. They designed an experiment to try to disprove this notion and show that there is indeed a relationship.

Question 3

Which factor are natural scientists focusing on when they build new instruments to search in previously unexplored places for evidence of physical mechanisms that may or may not exist?
A) How to spend grant money before the budget year ends.
B) How to impress their colleagues.
C) How to generate new knowledge.
D) How to win a Nobel prize.
E) How to show that empirical reasoning is superior to comparative reasoning.

Accepted Answer

Natural scientists focus on generating new knowledge when they build new instruments to search in previously unexplored places for evidence of physical mechanisms that may or may not exist. While other factors may play a role, such as impressing colleagues or winning a Nobel prize, the primary focus is on advancing scientific understanding through empirical observations and testing.

Question 4

Which factor are natural scientists focusing on when they ask "Why?" questions?
A) Causal relationships
B) Personal motivations
C) Evolutionary goals
D) Vested economic interests
E) Divine purposes

Accepted Answer

Natural scientists focus on identifying causal relationships in order to understand the natural world. They ask “why?” in order to determine the causes of observable phenomena.

Question 5

A natural science research team identifies and describes the limitations of the completed study. Identify and describe any limitations of the completed study. The team goes on to describe how these might be handled in a future study and why the additional research would be valuable in its own right. This represents which step in the scientific investigation?
A) Design a procedure to ensure that the data gathered will reveal the full range of possible observations.
B) Conduct the study or the experiment and gather the data.
C) Critique the findings.
D) Identify all the factors related to the hypothesis and the phenomenon of interest that it will be important to measure, control, or monitor.

Accepted Answer

The identified limitations and potential for future research is part of the step of critiquing the findings.

Question 6

Natural science is self-corrective and open to independent replication and evaluation. Nevertheless, the critical thinking skill of self-regulation cannot help self-monitor and self-correct for which of the following?
A) Biased thinking, erroneous snap judgments, and misapplication of cognitive heuristics.
B) Initially interpreting an observed phenomenon or test result with an insufficient attention to detail.
C) False positives (finding what is not there) and false negatives (not finding what is there) in the results.
D) Failure to take into account all of the factors which influence the phenomenon under investigation.
E) Social media reactions by people who may be offended, upset, or angry with the findings.

Accepted Answer

Social media reactions are external factors that are beyond the control of the scientists conducting the investigations. However, it is important to note that while scientists cannot control how people react to their findings, they should still strive to communicate their results in a clear and objective manner.

Question 7

Good scientific investigators always start with a ______________. They use their critical thinking skills to decide what kinds of evidence and methods would be most relevant. They then proceed in a fair-minded, systematic, and accurate way.
A) question
B) point of view
C) hypothesis
D) budget
E) ax to grind

Accepted Answer

Good scientific investigators start with a question that needs to be answered. They then use their critical thinking skills to design experiments and select methods to answer that question. They do not approach their research with a preconceived point of view (B) or with an agenda to prove their own hypothesis (C) or a pre-determined outcome that fits their budget (D). It is also important for investigators to remain impartial and not have an "ax to grind" (E) which could bias their results.

Question 8

A natural scientist asks, "What do these unexpected sparkles of light clustered here by this bolder on this photograph of the surface of Mars mean? Which critical thinking skill does this question manifest?
A) Inference
B) Interpretation
C) Evaluation
D) Self-Regulation

Accepted Answer

The question is asking for an interpretation of the unexpected sparkles of light on the photograph, which is a critical thinking skill of interpretation.

Question 9

The theory of spontaneous generation can be confirmed by the birth of flies on raw meat left exposed to the open air for several days. Why is that not sufficient to confirm that spontaneous generation is true?
A) Because the theory is contrary to natural law.
B) Because the theory was already known to be consistent with prevailing opinion.
C) Because the theory can be disconfirmed by preventing flies from laying their eggs on the meat.
D) Because the theory can still be ridiculed in the media as Medieval superstition.

Accepted Answer

The birth of flies on raw meat left exposed to the open air only demonstrates that flies were able to lay their eggs on the meat and subsequently hatch. It does not confirm that the meat was spontaneously generated from non-living matter, which was the main claim of the theory of spontaneous generation. The fact that preventing flies from laying their eggs on the meat can disconfirm the theory also shows that it is not a valid explanation for the origin of life. Choices A, B, and D do not adequately address why the birth of flies on raw meat is insufficient to confirm spontaneous generation.

Question 10

Which factor are natural scientists focusing on when they make predictions about natural phenomena?
A) How to impress their colleagues.
B) How to prevent or bring the phenomena about.
C) How to get funding for future research.
D) How to provoke religious terrorists.

Accepted Answer

Natural scientists focus on predicting natural phenomena in order to prevent or bring about certain outcomes. They are not primarily concerned with impressing their colleagues, obtaining funding for future research, or provoking religious terrorists.

Question 11

What name do we give to the systematic empirical inquiry into the causal explanations for the observed patterns, structures, and functions of natural phenomena from the subatomic to the galactic in scope?
A) Philosophy
B) Communication
C) Management Information Systems
D) Social Science
E) Natural Science

Accepted Answer

The question is referring to the study of natural phenomena, which falls under the realm of natural science. Philosophy, communication, and management information systems do not necessarily focus on empirical inquiry into natural phenomena. Social science can sometimes involve such inquiry, but it is typically focused on human behavior and society rather than natural phenomena themselves.

Question 12

A natural science research team identifies all the ways that the data being gathered might be discounted as irrelevant or as misleading, and then take steps to guard against the these problems with data collection occurring. This represents which step in the scientific investigation?
A) Design a procedure to ensure that the data gathered will reveal the full range of possible observations.
B) Conduct the study or the experiment and gather the data.
C) Critique the findings.
D) Identify all the factors related to the hypothesis and the phenomenon of interest that it will be important to measure, control, or monitor.

Accepted Answer

This step involves designing a procedure that ensures comprehensive and accurate data collection, which is crucial for a reliable scientific investigation. By identifying potential issues with data relevance or accuracy and taking steps to mitigate these issues, the research team is essentially ensuring that their data collection process is robust and capable of capturing the full spectrum of observations related to their study. This is a preparatory step that precedes actual data collection, aiming to enhance the quality and relevance of the data gathered.

Question 13

A natural scientist identifies the causal factors which contribute to rising sea levels and describes the ways in which those causes interact. Which critical thinking skill is the scientist most exhibiting?
A) Interpretation
B) Self-Regulation
C) Analysis
D) Explanation

Accepted Answer

The natural scientist is giving an explanation of the causes and interactions of rising sea levels.

Question 14

Solid scientific findings that are not consistent with prevailing theories are characterized as?
A) Metaphysics
B) Anomalous
C) Nonsense
D) Subjective
E) Mistaken

Accepted Answer

Scientific findings that do not fit with currently accepted theories are considered anomalous, meaning they deviate from what is expected or typical.

Question 15

With ever more powerful explanatory theories, natural scientists are seeking explanations that fulfill the standards that all scientific theories strive to meet. Specifically large explanatory natural science theories strive to be: Testable, Comprehensive, Productive, Parsimonious, and ______________.
A) Affordable
B) Balanced
C) Heuristic
D) Optimistic
E) Consistent

Accepted Answer

The answer of With ever more powerful explanatory theories, natural...

Question 16

Which of the following is a natural science question?
A) Should our state decriminalize casino gambling and off-track betting?
B) Ought parents to permit their teenage children to gamble online?
C) Is it morally acceptable for a wealthy family to lose thousands gambling at resort casinos?
D) What motivates people to engage in these different forms of gambling: lottery, casino, and online?
E) Can we design encryption and firewall systems which ensure that the state's online lottery servers will be protected from computer hacking?

Accepted Answer

Natural science questions typically involve the physical world and its phenomena. Option E involves designing systems to protect servers, which relates to computer science and engineering, fields that are part of the natural sciences.

Question 17

If the arguments presented are sound, then the conclusions reached by natural scientists correctly using empirical research methods and appropriately analyses can be described as ______________.
A) tautological
B) valid
C) warranted
D) questionable
E) absurd

Accepted Answer

When natural scientists use empirical research methods correctly and analyze their data appropriately, the conclusions they reach are supported by evidence. Therefore, these conclusions are considered warranted, meaning they are justified or backed by the evidence collected and analyzed during the research process.

Question 18

Natural science research is best described as the scientific study of ______________.
A) all natural phenomena and their causes
B) ideals and principles that guide human behavior
C) semantic structure of language that supports valid inference
D) divinely inspired spiritual teachings and moral guidance of sages
E) human society and interpersonal relationships

Accepted Answer

Natural science research is concerned with the study of natural phenomena and their causes, which includes physical, chemical, and biological processes in the natural world. It aims to provide explanations and predictions about the natural world through empirical evidence and systematic observation. Therefore, option A is the correct description of natural science research. The other options are either unrelated or incorrect.

Question 19

A robust ____________ demands that empirical demonstration should pervade scientific thinking.
A) overconfidence
B) lack of confidence
C) skepticism
D) cynicism
E) emotionality

Accepted Answer

A robust scientific approach requires a healthy dose of skepticism, where claims and theories are subjected to rigorous testing and evaluation through empirical evidence. This means relying on empirical demonstration in scientific thinking rather than blind faith or emotional responses. Overconfidence, lack of confidence, and cynicism can skew scientific thinking in unproductive ways, while emotionality can cloud rational thought processes.

Question 20

Natural science inquiry is characterized by which kind of reasoning?
A) Heuristic
B) Comparative
C) Empirical
D) Valid
E) Ideological

Accepted Answer

Natural science inquiry relies on empirical reasoning, which is based on observations and evidence.

Quiz 19: Critical Thinking in the Natural Sciences

A natural science research team presented arguments explaining which factors it regards as relevant and exactly why each of the factors is potentially relevant to the hypothesis being investigated. This explanation represents which step in the scientific investigation?

A natural science research team presented an explanation of the design of its study beginning with the idea that two events or factors are not related. The team then designed an experiment to try to show that this notion was mistaken. What strategy were the scientists using?

Which factor are natural scientists focusing on when they build new instruments to search in previously unexplored places for evidence of physical mechanisms that may or may not exist?

Which factor are natural scientists focusing on when they ask "Why?" questions?

Natural science is self-corrective and open to independent replication and evaluation. Nevertheless, the critical thinking skill of self-regulation cannot help self-monitor and self-correct for which of the following?

Good scientific investigators always start with a ______________. They use their critical thinking skills to decide what kinds of evidence and methods would be most relevant. They then proceed in a fair-minded, systematic, and accurate way.

A natural scientist asks, "What do these unexpected sparkles of light clustered here by this bolder on this photograph of the surface of Mars mean? Which critical thinking skill does this question manifest?

The theory of spontaneous generation can be confirmed by the birth of flies on raw meat left exposed to the open air for several days. Why is that not sufficient to confirm that spontaneous generation is true?

Which factor are natural scientists focusing on when they make predictions about natural phenomena?

What name do we give to the systematic empirical inquiry into the causal explanations for the observed patterns, structures, and functions of natural phenomena from the subatomic to the galactic in scope?

A natural science research team identifies all the ways that the data being gathered might be discounted as irrelevant or as misleading, and then take steps to guard against the these problems with data collection occurring. This represents which step in the scientific investigation?

A natural scientist identifies the causal factors which contribute to rising sea levels and describes the ways in which those causes interact. Which critical thinking skill is the scientist most exhibiting?

Solid scientific findings that are not consistent with prevailing theories are characterized as?

Which of the following is a natural science question?

If the arguments presented are sound, then the conclusions reached by natural scientists correctly using empirical research methods and appropriately analyses can be described as ______________.

Natural science research is best described as the scientific study of ______________.

A robust ____________ demands that empirical demonstration should pervade scientific thinking.

Natural science inquiry is characterized by which kind of reasoning?