Study

Fact or Fallacy

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  • Why is it important to cite sources?
    To show credibility and avoid plagiarism.
  • How can funding create bias?
    Researchers may favour results that benefit the sponsor.
  • What role do governments play in scientific research?
    They provide funding and regulation.
  • Why are graphs used in science?
    To show patterns and trends clearly.
  • What is qualitative data?
    Descriptive, non-numerical data.
  • What is a scientific claim?
    A statement or conclusion that can be tested using evidence.
  • Why do scientists repeat experiments?
    To improve reliability and check consistency.
  • What does reliability mean in an experiment?
    The consistency of results when repeated.
  • What is a conflict of interest?
    When personal or financial interests affect objectivity.
  • What is a retraction?
    Withdrawal of a published study due to errors.
  • What question should you ask when reading a claim?
    “What evidence supports this?”
  • How does peer review help correct science?
    Experts evaluate and critique research.
  • Why might companies exaggerate results?
    To increase profits or attract customers.
  • Why should you check the source of information?
    To ensure it is credible and reliable.
  • Why can incorrect ideas persist?
    Due to bias, lack of evidence, or resistance to change.
  • Why are graphs sometimes misleading?
    Axes or scales can be manipulated.
  • How can errors be identified in research?
    Through replication and peer review.
  • Why are control groups used?
    To compare results and identify the effect of the independent variable.
  • Why is scientific knowledge always changing?
    New evidence leads to updated conclusions.
  • Name one economic factor that can influence research.
    Funding or cost of research.
  • Why is replication sometimes difficult?
    Cost, time, or lack of detail in methods.
  • How does new technology improve science?
    It allows more accurate and detailed data collection.
  • What is a trend in data?
    A general pattern or direction in results.
  • What is cherry-picking data?
    Selecting only data that supports a claim.
  • How can time constraints affect investigations?
    They may reduce accuracy or depth of research.
  • Why is a fair test important?
    To ensure results are valid and only one variable is changed.
  • What does “science is self-correcting” mean?
    Errors are identified and corrected over time.
  • Why is peer review important?
    It checks the quality and validity of research.
  • How can media affect public understanding of science?
    By exaggerating or simplifying results.
  • What is exaggeration in science communication?
    Overstating results beyond what evidence supports.
  • Give an example of a misleading headline.
    “Eating chocolate makes you smarter.”
  • What is a secondary source?
    Information that summarises or analyses primary sources.
  • What is a placebo?
    A fake treatment used as a comparison in experiments.
  • What is evidence-based science?
    Using data and evidence to support conclusions.
  • What does validity mean?
    How well the experiment measures what it is supposed to.
  • Why are statistics sometimes misleading?
    They can be presented selectively or out of context.
  • What is publication bias?
    When only positive results are published.
  • Why is sample size important?
    Larger samples give more reliable and accurate results.
  • Why should multiple sources be used?
    To increase reliability and reduce bias.
  • What is quantitative data?
    Numerical data.
  • What does “correlation does not equal causation” mean?
    Two things may be related but one does not necessarily cause the other.
  • What is a primary source?
    Original data or first-hand research.
  • Why might scientists resist new ideas?
    They challenge established beliefs.
  • Why is wording important in scientific claims?
    It can change meaning and level of certainty.
  • What is bias in reporting?
    Presenting information in a way that favours one outcome.
  • What is the first step when testing a claim?
    Ask a question or form a hypothesis.
  • What is replication?
    Repeating an experiment to verify results.
  • What type of evidence is most reliable?
    Peer-reviewed, repeatable scientific data.
  • How can ethics impact an investigation?
    They limit what can be tested and how.
  • What is a controlled variable?
    A variable kept the same to ensure a fair test.