§-Quick questions
NSWInvestigating ScienceModule 5: Scientific Investigations
Quick questions on Inquiry questions and hypotheses: HSC Investigating Science Module 5
5short 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 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 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 q1?Show answer
Define falsifiability and state why it is essential to a scientific hypothesis. [3 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
A student writes the hypothesis: "Drinking green tea makes people healthier." Identify two flaws and rewrite the hypothesis so it is testable. [2+2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
A researcher proposes investigating whether traditional Bundjalung bush-medicine plants reduce wound healing time. (a) Construct an inquiry question. (b) Write a falsifiable hypothesis.
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