Exam 2: Evaluating Scientific Claims

Indicate which of the following examples are most likely "real science" and which are most likely "pseudoscience." -This herbal remedy must work because people have used it for thousands of years and it always makes them feel better.

Which of the following texts are examples of primary literature and which are examples of secondary literature? -Science,a peer-reviewed scientific journal

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC),by the end of September 2014,roughly 8,000 cases of whooping cough had been reported in California for that year; more than 250 patients (mostly infants and young children)were hospitalized with 58 of them requiring intensive care.Several other childhood diseases that were once common but then eradicated through high vaccination rates have returned since the antivaccination movement grew in the 1990s.The epidemiological data collected by the CDC indicates this resurgence of childhood diseases is most likely the result of

The U.S.federal government funds the vast majority of scientific research intended to expand the "fundamental knowledge base" of sciences such as the life sciences,biomedicine,and agriculture.Since the funding comes from taxpayers,this ________ research is not considered biased.

A popular post on the Internet states that hugs "transfer energy" between participants,giving them an "emotional lift." Which of the following is a scientific approach to evaluating the claim of "energy transfer" during hugs? The hypothesis for the experiment would be as follows: if one person hugs another,the person receiving the hug will have more measurable energy after the hug.

A large biotech company would like to market a microbe that will help clean up oil spills in the ocean by actually consuming and detoxifying the oil.Would this research be basic or applied? Explain your answer.

If a statement about how the natural world works can be supported (or not)by using the scientific method,the statement is a(n)________ claim

A researcher noticed that as the prevalence of cell phone usage increased between the years of 1998 and 2010 so did the number of individuals diagnosed with autism.He decided that cell phone usage by expectant mothers was causing autism.Which of the following would be the first step in evaluating his assumption?

Scientists at a major university are attempting to isolate the gene that slows the degeneration of collagen in skin.This is an example of

Which of the following texts are examples of primary literature and which are examples of secondary literature? -National Geographic,a popular magazine about science and the world

Announcing "scientific" findings in a press conference before they have been published in an established scientific journal is an example of

Therapeutic touch (TT)is a type of "energy" medicine that involves the practitioner moving his or her hands over the energy field of the patient,without actually touching the patient,but redirecting the energy field to heal the patient.If a researcher were to design a survey of TT practitioners and their patients to determine the validity of TT,which of the following questions would NOT be helpful in determining the validity of the survey?

Vaccines approved for use are continually monitored and tested for ________ by the FDA.

Which of the following statements about the process of science is accurate?

The reliability of primary scientific literature is strengthened by the ________ process,in which the work is examined by other leaders in the same field.For instance,a scientific paper examining the evolution of tetrapods would be reviewed by other evolutionary biologists and paleontologists.

Rick has high blood pressure and decides to try an herbal supplement recommended by his friend.Which of the following questions should Rick ask first to scientifically evaluate his friend's recommendation before he begins taking the herbal supplement?

The spread of measles to individuals who cannot be vaccinated is minimized and/or preventable by ________,which is promoted by vaccinating a critical portion of the population with the measles vaccine.

Based on the scientific evidence presented in the journals Lancet and Vaccine which of the following is NOT the reason for the observed increase in incidence of autism in the United States and other countries since the 1970s?

Which of the following examples indicates a situation where the researcher is MOST likely to have a possible bias regarding his or her work?

In 2015,the dietary supplements industry,including herbal remedies and energy drinks,in the United States grossed somewhere between 12 and 24 billion dollars in sales.The FDA regulates the safety and manufacture of conventional,pharmaceutical drugs before they are marketed to consumers.However,the companies that produce dietary supplements are responsible for evaluating the safety and purity of their own products before these are marketed to consumers.The FDA is only responsible for taking action against any adulterated or misbranded dietary supplement product after it reaches the market and consumers.The FDA will also issue warnings about a product after adverse reactions have been reported. Your friend,Vivian,is selling a fruit juice that contains a "secret,proprietary blend" of herbal ingredients.Vivian tells you that this fruit juice cured her dad's migraine headaches,so you should use it to cure your migraines and quit taking the medicine prescribed for you by your doctor.Write at least three steps you should take before you decide to follow Vivian's advice about the juice.