36 ■ CHAPTER 02 Evaluating Scientific Claims
(^8) For each of the following, select the term that best describes
the type of literature it represents: primary, secondary, or neither.
a. A research study from Dr. Drake and colleagues on the blood
sugar levels of diabetic rats that eat only kale, compared to
control diets, is published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
b. In the infomercial selling his own health care products,
Dr. Horton states, “I believe my personal cure of daily medi-
tation and yoga for diabetes is more effective than any drug
I’ve ever prescribed in 20 years of practicing medicine.”
c. Dr. DeBellard insists in her blog that people will lose weight
in a healthy manner if they acquire some of her personal
parasitic tapeworm.
d. In an article published in the Annual Review of Nutrition,
a peer-reviewed journal, Dr. Pepper summarizes the last
10 years of basic research on diet and diabetes.
(^9) Which of the following situations has the greatest potential for
biased or inaccurate results in an experimental process?
(a) Ms. Ochoa-Bolton is an outside consultant who is conducting a
health and wellness survey for a pharmaceutical company. She
does not know the name of the company, nor does she know
the name of the drug being tested during the survey.
(b) Ms. Adamian is a research technician surveying a study group on
response to a new cold remedy. She knows only the e-mail address
of each subject and asks them identical questions by computer.
(c) Dr. Wisidagama is evaluating cancer patients for their responses
to a new therapeutic drug. She knows which patients are
receiving the placebo and which are receiving the drug.
(d) Dr. Waters is analyzing biopsy samples from rats that have
been given either a placebo or an experimental drug believed to
reduce inflammation. Each sample is identified by a code number
such that she cannot tell which treatment each rat received.
(e) Ms. Nuno is conducting a survey of weight loss regimens
as part of her master’s degree project. Her online survey is
anonymous and asks each participant the same questions.
Tr y Something New
(^10) Determine whether each of the following statements is likely
to represent real science or pseudoscience. In each case of likely
pseudoscience, identify which scientific standard is not met.
a. Dr. Oz says that green coffee beans will burn fat, so you
can lose weight without dieting.
b. The Wall Street Journal reports that climate scientists have
conspired to exaggerate the effects of global climate change.
c. A group of researchers reports at a national scientific
conference that they have found a genetic link to autism.
d. Many astrologers agree that people born under the sun sign
Aquarius are more intelligent than those born under Scorpio.
e. A study published in the scientific journal Diabetes finds
that sleeping in a cooler room may increase metabolic rate
and insulin sensitivity.
(^11) The following graphs illustrate the incidence of pertussis
(whooping cough) cases in the United States. The first graph
organizes the data by year from 1922 to 2012, with the inset showing
(b) if changes in one variable cause changes in another, the
variables are not correlated.
(c) only experimental research can answer questions about the
natural world.
(d) although two variables are interrelated, changes in one do not
necessarily cause changes in the other.
(e) none of the above
(^4) Link each term with the correct definition.
SCIENTIFIC
LITERACY
- Uses scientific knowledge to address human
issues.
BASIC RESEARCH 2. Helps in making informed life choices.
APPLIED
RESEARCH
- Consists of peer-reviewed scientific journal
articles.
SECONDARY
LITERATURE
- Gives an overview of scientific findings on a
subject.
PRIMARY
LITERATURE
- Contributes to fundamental science
knowledge.
(^5) Select the correct terms:
Evaluating a scientific claim begins with reviewing the (credentials /
fame) of the person making the claim. It is also important to know
whether those making a particular claim have a (detachment /
bias), a vested interest in whether or not the claim is true. To gain
an overview of scientific studies related to the claim, it is helpful to
read the (primary literature / secondary literature).
(^6) You are trying to determine whether a scientific claim is
based on real science or pseudoscience. Place the following
questions you will address in the correct order by numbering
them from 1 to 6.
a. Are the study’s claims observable and quantifiable?
b. Has the study been reviewed by practicing scientists and
published in an established scientific journal?
c. Are the predictions specific, testable, and falsifiable?
d. Is the hypothesis clearly stated, measurable, and aligned
with current scientific facts and theories?
e. Are the experimental design and analysis well described,
well designed, reproducible, and conducted with a large
sample size?
f. Are the study conclusions logical, based on evidence, and
justified, given the study results?
Challenge Yourself
(^7) An example of basic research is
(a) a study of how hummingbirds learn song.
(b) an investigation of how the melting of polar ice caps affects
agriculture.
(c) looking at possible genetic contributions to autism spectrum
disorder.
(d) designing more effective vaccines for dangerous infectious
diseases.
(e) exploring how agricultural waste can be turned into fuel.