Understanding Scientific and Engineering Practices

What is essential when planning and conducting investigations?

• Ignoring ethical considerations

• Conducting investigations individually only

• Considering environmental, social, and personal effects

• Using outdated technology

What should data tables show according to the document?

• Only independent variables

• Independent and dependent variables, repeated trials, and means

• Only dependent variables

• Random numbers

What is the purpose of using data in building models?

• To confuse the audience

• To support an explanation for phenomena

• To create random designs

• To ignore scientific claims

How should data be analyzed to make scientific claims?

• Using outdated methods

• Using tools, technologies, and/or models

• Ignoring the data

• Making assumptions without evidence

What is the final step in understanding scientific and engineering practices?

• Asking questions

• Planning investigations

• Constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations

• Collecting data

What should be considered when testing design solutions?

• Only personal preferences

• Environmental, social, and personal effects

• Ignoring ethical considerations

• Only the fastest method

What is the purpose of generating hypotheses?

• To create confusion

• To specify what happens to a dependent variable

• To ignore independent variables

• To avoid scientific principles

What should explanations in scientific research be based on?

• Personal opinions

• Valid and reliable evidence

• Historical data only

• Hypothetical scenarios

What is the role of scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence in research?

• To provide an explanation of phenomena and design solutions

• To create new laws

• To disprove existing theories

• To support personal beliefs

What is important when comparing and evaluating competing arguments in science?

• Personal preferences

• New scientific evidence

• Historical context

• Cultural beliefs