How to Think like a Biologist

What makes science distinct from other ways of knowing, such as art or philosophy?

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  It relies only on traditions and beliefs.

• It only studies living organisms.

• It focuses on the natural world and uses measurable, verifiable evidence.

• It is based on the opinions of respected researchers

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Why are multiple forms of evidence so convincing in science?

• Repeating the same thing eventually convinces people.

• Only prestigious institutions can produce valid data.

• Different types of evidence make alternative explanations less credible.

• Scientists accept claims only if they fit popular opinion.

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How does science remain self-policing and maintain public trust?

• By allowing researchers to publish without evidence.

• By never questioning established ideas.

• By punishing misconduct and using replication and peer review.

• By relying only on government approval.

Which of the following best describes pseudoscience?

• An attempt to explain natural phenomena without testable evidence.

• A system of knowledge that changes when new evidence emerges.

• A framework that insists on replication of results.

• A practice based on peer-reviewed experiments.

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What makes pseudoscience different from science?

• It relies on measurable, testable evidence.

• It uses known physical mechanisms.

• It requires replication of results.

• It invokes mysterious or unnamed mechanisms instead of evidence.

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What is the main focus of science as a way of knowing?

• Asking questions about the natural and physical world

• Asking questions about art and literature.

• Explaining phenomena using mysterious forces.

• Accepting ideas without evidence.

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Why is experimental design so important in science?

• It ensures that scientists never make mistakes.

• It allows for evidence-based decision making and strong conclusions.

• It eliminates the need for critical thinking.

• It prevents the need for replication.

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True or false: Astrology is considered to be a form of science because there are tons of evidence to support the claims.

• True

• False

Which of the following is an example of an independent variable in an experiment?

• The improvement in test scores after tutoring

• The number of students who pass an exam

• The different doses of a drug given to test subjects

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he number of students who pass an exam

• The measured outcome that depends on another variable

• The variable controlled by the researcher

• The predictor or explanatory variable