Scientific Method Assessment Template

1. In the following experiment: "[brief experiment description]", what is the independent variable?
   a) [Correct independent variable]
   b) [Dependent variable incorrectly labeled]
   c) [Control variable incorrectly labeled]
   d) [Extraneous variable incorrectly labeled]

2. Which of the following best describes a controlled experiment?
   a) [Correct description of controlled experiment]
   b) [Description of observational study]
   c) [Description of correlational study]
   d) [Description of case study]

3. What is the purpose of including a control group in an experiment?
   a) [Correct purpose]
   b) [Plausible but incorrect alternative]
   c) [Plausible but incorrect alternative]
   d) [Plausible but incorrect alternative]

4. Which of the following statements is a testable hypothesis?
   a) [Proper testable hypothesis]
   b) [Research question incorrectly labeled]
   c) [Observation incorrectly labeled]
   d) [Conclusion incorrectly labeled]

5. A good scientific hypothesis must be:
   a) [Correct criteria - testable, falsifiable, etc.]
   b) [Plausible but incorrect alternative]
   c) [Plausible but incorrect alternative]
   d) [Plausible but incorrect alternative]

6. Given the research question: "[research question]", which hypothesis would be most appropriate?
   a) [Appropriate hypothesis]
   b) [Hypothesis too broad]
   c) [Hypothesis not testable]
   d) [Hypothesis not relevant to question]

7. Based on the following data table, which conclusion is best supported?
   [Sample data table]
   a) [Conclusion properly supported by data]
   b) [Conclusion not supported by data]
   c) [Conclusion that goes beyond the data]
   d) [Conclusion that contradicts the data]

8. What type of graph would be most appropriate to display the relationship between [two variables]?
   a) [Appropriate graph type]
   b) [Inappropriate graph type]
   c) [Inappropriate graph type]
   d) [Inappropriate graph type]

9. The results of an experiment show a correlation of 0.75 between [two variables]. This indicates:
   a) [Correct interpretation of correlation]
   b) [Interpretation implying causation incorrectly]
   c) [Interpretation undervaluing correlation]
   d) [Interpretation overvaluing correlation]

10. Which of the following best demonstrates the principle of falsifiability in science?
    a) [Correct example of falsifiability]
    b) [Example of confirmation bias]
    c) [Example of pseudoscience]
    d) [Example of scientific authority]

11. When multiple hypotheses could explain the same phenomenon, scientists typically:
    a) [Correct approach - Occam's Razor, multiple testing, etc.]
    b) [Incorrect approach]
    c) [Incorrect approach]
    d) [Incorrect approach]

12. What is the main difference between a scientific theory and a scientific hypothesis?
    a) [Correct distinction]
    b) [Common misconception]
    c) [Common misconception]
    d) [Common misconception]