Prac Test Revision Questions

When measuring the length of a table with a ruler, what does the accuracy of the measurement refer to?

• Its closeness to the true length of the table

• The range of lengths obtained from multiple measurements

• The generalizability of the measurement to other tables

• The consistency of measurements when repeated

Answer explanation

The accuracy of a measurement refers to its closeness to the true value, making it the correct choice.

What determines the acceptable level of measurement accuracy when using a thermometer to measure the temperature of a substance in a laboratory?

• The color of the thermometer

• The limitations of the thermometer and its intended uses

• The time of the day the measurement is taken

• The personal preference of the scientist

Answer explanation

The acceptable level of measurement accuracy is determined by the limitations of the measuring instruments and their intended uses, not by the color of the instrument, the time of the day, or personal preference of the scientist.

When a scientist repeatedly measures the boiling point of water under the same conditions, what does measurement precision refer to?

• The extent to which these repeated measurements agree with each other

• The closeness of these measurements to the true boiling point of water

• The generalizability of these findings to other substances

• The color of the thermometer used in the measurements

Answer explanation

Measurement precision refers to the extent to which repeated measurements agree with each other.

During a scientific experiment, what does the term 'instrument precision' refer to?

• The personal preference of the scientist conducting the experiment

• The error associated with the measuring instruments used in the experiment

• The color of the measuring instrument used in the experiment

• The range of values obtained from the measuring instruments in the experiment

Answer explanation

Instrument precision refers to the error associated with measuring instruments, not the personal preference of the scientist or the color of the instrument.

What is reliability in the context of scientific measurements when observing the growth rate of plants under different light conditions?

• The personal preference of the scientist

• The color of the measuring instrument

• The generalizability of the findings

• The consistency of measurements over multiple experiments

Answer explanation

Reliability in scientific measurements refers to the consistency of measurements over multiple experiments, making it the correct choice.

In a study measuring the stress levels of college students during exams, what does internal reliability refer to?

• The color of the stress-measuring instrument

• The generalizability of the study findings to all college students

• The error associated with the stress-measuring instruments

• The consistency of stress level measurements across different exams

Answer explanation

Internal reliability refers to the consistency of measurements within an experiment, making it the correct choice.

During a study on the effects of a new dietary supplement on weight loss, what does the validity of the investigation refer to?

• Whether the procedures accurately measure what was intended

• The error associated with measuring instruments

• The color of the measuring instrument

• The personal preference of the scientist

Answer explanation

The validity of an investigation refers to whether the procedures accurately measure what was intended, making the first answer choice the correct one.

What must an experiment satisfy to be considered internally valid?

• The hypothesis is properly constructed

• The color of the measuring instrument

• The personal preference of the scientist

• The time of the day the measurement is taken

Answer explanation

An experiment must have a properly constructed hypothesis to be considered internally valid, as it forms the basis for the experiment and its results.

For a clinical trial's findings on a new vaccine to be considered externally valid, what is essential?

• The time of the day the vaccine is administered

• The color of the syringe used for administering the vaccine

• The participants in the trial are representative of the general population

• The personal preference of the lead researcher

Answer explanation

The correct answer is: The samples used are representative of the wider population, as this is essential for an experiment's results to be externally valid.

What can lead to invalid scientific outcomes?

• The color of the measuring instrument

• An incorrectly calibrated instrument

• The personal preference of the scientist

• The time of the day the measurement is taken

Answer explanation

An incorrectly calibrated instrument can lead to invalid scientific outcomes because it can produce inaccurate measurements.