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Module 5: Scientific Investigations
Quick questions on Inquiry questions and hypotheses: HSC Investigating Science Module 5
8short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is from inquiry question to hypothesis?Show answer
An inquiry question becomes a testable investigation through a hypothesis.
What is hypothesis versus prediction?Show answer
These are related but distinct.
What is falsifiability (Popper)?Show answer
Philosopher Karl Popper argued that the defining feature of a scientific claim is that it can be proven wrong. A hypothesis like "consciousness influences quantum events" cannot be falsified by any conceivable experiment and is therefore not scientific. "Aspirin reduces fever in adults at 500 mg doses" can be falsified by a controlled trial and is therefore scientific.
What is what makes a good hypothesis?Show answer
A scientifically valid hypothesis:
What is hypothesis?Show answer
A proposed explanation for an observation, written as a statement that names the variables and predicts a relationship. A scientific hypothesis must be falsifiable: there must be possible observations that would disprove it.
What is confusing hypothesis with theory?Show answer
A hypothesis is a testable proposal. A theory is a well-supported explanation that integrates many tested hypotheses.
What is failing falsifiability?Show answer
"There is intelligent life somewhere in the universe" is unfalsifiable as stated. No possible observation can rule it out.
What is phrasing as a question?Show answer
A hypothesis is a statement, not a question. :::