Robert, an aspiring scientist in a biology class, wanted to conduct a study on the effects of cigarette smoke on the web-building ability of spiders. Which of the following statements is an incorrect use of terms pertaining to the scientific method?
A) Robert wanted to see if his theory was true that cigarette smoke will influence web-building in spiders.
B) Robert made the observation that spiders weave webs.
C) As a control, Robert had a group of spiders that were never exposed to cigarette smoke.
D) Robert examined the webs from both the control group and the test group and the data were recorded in a table.
E) Robert concluded that there was no significant difference in the ability to weave a web under conditions of cigarette smoke compared to spiders that were not exposed.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A theory in scientific terms is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment. Robert's idea about cigarette smoke influencing web-building in spiders would be considered a hypothesis at this stage, not a theory, because it is a proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

Robert, an Aspiring Scientist in a Biology Class, Wanted to Conduct