SCIENTIFIC METHOD QUIZ
(Printable Version)
1. Science is best defined as:
A. Knowledge from imagination
B. Knowledge from observing natural events and conditions
C. Knowledge created by assumptions
D. Knowledge passed down through tradition
2. What is physical science mainly concerned with?
A. The study of living organisms
B. The study of non-living matter
C. The study of emotions
D. The study of languages
3. Which of these is part of physical science?
A. Chemistry
B. Biology
C. Literature
D. Psychology
4. The scientific method is:
A. A random way of solving problems
B. A logical, problem-solving technique
C. A guesswork method
D. An emotional decision-making process
5. What is the first step of the scientific method?
A. Form a hypothesis
B. Make an observation / ask a question
C. Analyze results
D. Communicate results
6. A hypothesis is:
A. A proven fact
B. An explanation that can be tested
C. A guess without any research
D. A final conclusion
7. Which is the correct form of a hypothesis statement?
A. 'If... then... because...'
B. 'Maybe this will work.'
C. 'I hope this is right.'
D. 'I don't know what will happen.'
8. A controlled experiment is one that:
A. Tests many variables at once
B. Tests only one factor at a time
C. Requires no control group
D. Changes all conditions simultaneously
9. In an experiment, the factor that is changed on purpose by the scientist is the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Independent variable
C. Constant
D. Control group
10. The dependent variable is:
A. The cause of change
B. The result of what the scientist changed
C. What is kept the same
D. The control group
11. What is kept the same in both control and experimental groups?
A. Constants
B. Independent variables
C. Dependent variables
D. Hypotheses
12. Quantitative observations involve:
A. Smell and taste
B. Measurements that include numbers
C. Personal opinions
D. Feelings about the experiment
13. Qualitative observations are based on:
A. Numbers and measurements
B. The use of senses (sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing)
C. Mathematical calculations
D. Tables and charts
14. How do scientists analyze results to find patterns?
A. Ignore data inconsistencies
B. Create tables, charts, and do calculations
C. Only describe the data in words
D. Focus on untested hypotheses
15. In drawing a conclusion, scientists should:
A. Restate purpose, indicate results, explain, and suggest improvements
B. Only write about what went wrong
C. Make no mention of numbers
D. Avoid asking new questions
16. How can scientists communicate results?
A. Only keep findings private
B. Present to an audience, share data, or publish findings
C. Avoid sharing until they are 100% sure
D. Only discuss results verbally
17. A scientific theory is:
A. A guess that cannot be tested
B. An explanation supported by repeated trials
C. A statement that tells how things work
D. A summary of experimental results without explanation
18. A scientific law:
A. Tells why something happens
B. Tells how things work, without explaining why
C. Explains observations and hypotheses
D. Is the same as a theory
19. The control group in an experiment is:
A. The group where nothing is changed
B. The group where everything is changed
C. The group with multiple variables
D. The group that always fails
20. What is a variable in an experiment?
A. Something that stays the same
B. Something that can change
C. The final conclusion
D. The published result
21. How should a problem in science be stated?
A. As a random sentence
B. In the form of a question
C. As a list of facts
D. As a paragraph of ideas
22. During research, you should:
A. Write down what you already know and ask experts
B. Skip gathering information
C. Only use the internet
D. Make assumptions
23. When can you stop the scientific method at the research stage?
A. When you find an answer to your question
B. When you are tired
C. When you have a hypothesis
D. When you finish your experiment
24. In a conclusion, what should be included?
A. Just a summary sentence
B. Purpose restated, results with numbers, explanation, improvements, new questions
C. Only results with no numbers
D. Only what went wrong
25. Error analysis in a conclusion means:
A. Ignoring errors
B. Considering improvements to your procedure
C. Changing the results
D. Repeating the experiment without reporting it
26. Communication of results can include:
A. Publishing in journals, books, internet
B. Hiding the data
C. Sharing only with friends
D. Never writing it down
ANSWER KEY
1. B
2. B
3. A
4. B
5. B
6. B
7. A
8. B
9. B
10. B
11. A
12. B
13. B
14. B
15. A
16. B
17. B
18. B
19. A
20. B
21. B
22. A
23. A
24. B
25. B
26. A
