MCAT, RESEARCH QUIZ WITH
ANSWERS.
8 steps of scientific method & example of common error in each step - Answers-1.
Generate a testable question
-questions are too broad
2. Gather data and resources
-tendency for confirmation bias (looking for research that is consistent w/ our
expectations)
3. Form a hypothesis
-has to be in if, then format to be testable
4. Collect new data
5. Analyze the data
6. Interpret the data and existing hypothesis
7. Publish
8. Verify results
FINER method for evaluating a research question - Answers-Feasible? (financial,
supplies, enough participants, etc)
Interesting (to the scientific world)
Novel (are you exploring something new)
Ethical
Relevant (outside the scientific community)
positive vs negative controls
-which is often used to observe placebo effect? - Answers-Positive: a control group in
an experiment that uses a treatment that is known to produce results.
(e.g., testing new HIV detector device on those w/ HIV)
Negative: a control group in an experiment that uses a treatment that isn't expected to
produce results.(e.g., testing new HIV detector device on those w/o HIV)
*often used to observe placebo effect
Accuracy (validity) vs. Precision (reliability)
-which of these will causes systemic bias? error? - Answers-Accuracy (validity) = ability
of an instrument to measure true value (scale shows 170lb for a 170lb person)
-an inaccurate tool will introduce bias (and therefore error)
ANSWERS.
8 steps of scientific method & example of common error in each step - Answers-1.
Generate a testable question
-questions are too broad
2. Gather data and resources
-tendency for confirmation bias (looking for research that is consistent w/ our
expectations)
3. Form a hypothesis
-has to be in if, then format to be testable
4. Collect new data
5. Analyze the data
6. Interpret the data and existing hypothesis
7. Publish
8. Verify results
FINER method for evaluating a research question - Answers-Feasible? (financial,
supplies, enough participants, etc)
Interesting (to the scientific world)
Novel (are you exploring something new)
Ethical
Relevant (outside the scientific community)
positive vs negative controls
-which is often used to observe placebo effect? - Answers-Positive: a control group in
an experiment that uses a treatment that is known to produce results.
(e.g., testing new HIV detector device on those w/ HIV)
Negative: a control group in an experiment that uses a treatment that isn't expected to
produce results.(e.g., testing new HIV detector device on those w/o HIV)
*often used to observe placebo effect
Accuracy (validity) vs. Precision (reliability)
-which of these will causes systemic bias? error? - Answers-Accuracy (validity) = ability
of an instrument to measure true value (scale shows 170lb for a 170lb person)
-an inaccurate tool will introduce bias (and therefore error)
