Question

1. two groups of researchers conducted similar experiments to determine if a pesticide used on crops is safe for the environment. both groups obtained similar results. one group concluded that the pesticide was safe. the other group concluded that it was toxic for organisms other than insects and should not be spread on crops. which of the following best explains why the two groups made different conclusions from similar data?

a both groups were scheduled to present their study at the same conference.
b one group’s data may not have supported their hypothesis.
c one group may be funded by the pesticide company.
d one group may not have used scientific methods.

1. which of the following questions about a flower can be most readily answered by scientific methods?

a would this kind of flower make a good gift?
b what kind of flower is the most beautiful?
c how pretty is the flower?
d what kinds of pollinators are attracted to this flower?

Explanation:

Question 9

• Option A: Presenting at the same conference doesn't affect conclusion differences. Eliminate.
• Option B: The problem states both groups got similar results, so data supporting hypothesis isn't the issue. Eliminate.
• Option C: Funding by the pesticide company could introduce bias, leading one group to conclude the pesticide is safe (to support the funder) while the other, without such bias, concludes it's toxic. This is a plausible explanation.
• Option D: The problem says both conducted similar experiments, implying they used scientific methods. Eliminate.

• Option A: Whether a flower makes a good gift is subjective (depends on personal taste, occasion, etc.) and not answerable by scientific methods.
• Option B: "Most beautiful" is a subjective judgment (beauty is in the eye of the beholder) and can't be answered scientifically.
• Option C: "How pretty" is also subjective and lacks a measurable, objective standard for scientific inquiry.
• Option D: What kinds of pollinators are attracted to a flower can be studied through observation, experimentation, and data collection (e.g., setting up cameras, collecting pollinators from the flower, etc.), which are scientific methods.

Answer:

C. One group may be funded by the pesticide company.

Question 10