Drawing Conclusions & Evaluating Claims - ACT Science
Card 1 of 30
What is a control group used for when evaluating an experimental claim?
What is a control group used for when evaluating an experimental claim?
Tap to reveal answer
A baseline for comparison without the treatment. Shows what happens without treatment.
A baseline for comparison without the treatment. Shows what happens without treatment.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option is best supported if a graph shows a plateau where $Y$ stays constant as $X$ increases?
Which option is best supported if a graph shows a plateau where $Y$ stays constant as $X$ increases?
Tap to reveal answer
Beyond that $X$ range, $Y$ no longer increases. Plateau shows limit of the relationship.
Beyond that $X$ range, $Y$ no longer increases. Plateau shows limit of the relationship.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is an essential step in evaluating claims?
What is an essential step in evaluating claims?
Tap to reveal answer
Verifying the evidence. Confirms the accuracy of supporting data.
Verifying the evidence. Confirms the accuracy of supporting data.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option best evaluates a claim when the study has no control group?
Which option best evaluates a claim when the study has no control group?
Tap to reveal answer
A baseline comparison is missing; the claim is weakened. No control means no valid comparison.
A baseline comparison is missing; the claim is weakened. No control means no valid comparison.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What term describes a claim limited to the measured range of the data?
What term describes a claim limited to the measured range of the data?
Tap to reveal answer
Interpolation. Estimate within measured data range.
Interpolation. Estimate within measured data range.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option best evaluates a claim when the study has no control group?
Which option best evaluates a claim when the study has no control group?
Tap to reveal answer
A baseline comparison is missing; the claim is weakened. No control means no valid comparison.
A baseline comparison is missing; the claim is weakened. No control means no valid comparison.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the best conclusion: Data show $Y$ increases as $X$ increases in all trials. What is supported?
Identify the best conclusion: Data show $Y$ increases as $X$ increases in all trials. What is supported?
Tap to reveal answer
$Y$ increases with $X$ (positive association). Clear positive trend in all data.
$Y$ increases with $X$ (positive association). Clear positive trend in all data.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the flaw: A claim states “$X$ causes $Y$” but the study is observational only. What is the flaw?
Identify the flaw: A claim states “$X$ causes $Y$” but the study is observational only. What is the flaw?
Tap to reveal answer
Causation is not established without controlled manipulation. Need controlled experiment for causation claims.
Causation is not established without controlled manipulation. Need controlled experiment for causation claims.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option is best supported if a graph shows a plateau where $Y$ stays constant as $X$ increases?
Which option is best supported if a graph shows a plateau where $Y$ stays constant as $X$ increases?
Tap to reveal answer
Beyond that $X$ range, $Y$ no longer increases. Plateau shows limit of the relationship.
Beyond that $X$ range, $Y$ no longer increases. Plateau shows limit of the relationship.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option is best supported if two lines on a graph cross at $X=5$?
Which option is best supported if two lines on a graph cross at $X=5$?
Tap to reveal answer
The two conditions have equal $Y$ at $X=5$. Lines intersect at that point.
The two conditions have equal $Y$ at $X=5$. Lines intersect at that point.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the correct conclusion: Condition A mean is higher than B, but error bars overlap widely. What follows?
Identify the correct conclusion: Condition A mean is higher than B, but error bars overlap widely. What follows?
Tap to reveal answer
A higher mean is not clearly a significant difference. Large error bars indicate uncertainty.
A higher mean is not clearly a significant difference. Large error bars indicate uncertainty.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the best-supported claim: A treatment group improves and the control group does not. What is supported?
Identify the best-supported claim: A treatment group improves and the control group does not. What is supported?
Tap to reveal answer
The treatment is associated with improvement versus control. Treatment group shows positive response.
The treatment is associated with improvement versus control. Treatment group shows positive response.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option best evaluates a claim that extends a linear trend beyond the last data point?
Which option best evaluates a claim that extends a linear trend beyond the last data point?
Tap to reveal answer
It is an extrapolation and may be unreliable. Prediction beyond data is uncertain.
It is an extrapolation and may be unreliable. Prediction beyond data is uncertain.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the correct interpretation: After adding enzyme, reaction rate doubles. What variable changed?
Identify the correct interpretation: After adding enzyme, reaction rate doubles. What variable changed?
Tap to reveal answer
Enzyme concentration (independent variable) increased. Enzyme was the manipulated variable.
Enzyme concentration (independent variable) increased. Enzyme was the manipulated variable.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option is the dependent variable: “Temperature was varied and growth was measured”?
Which option is the dependent variable: “Temperature was varied and growth was measured”?
Tap to reveal answer
Growth. Growth was measured as the outcome.
Growth. Growth was measured as the outcome.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option is the independent variable: “Light intensity was varied and oxygen production was measured”?
Which option is the independent variable: “Light intensity was varied and oxygen production was measured”?
Tap to reveal answer
Light intensity. Light was varied by the experimenter.
Light intensity. Light was varied by the experimenter.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the best conclusion: Results differ between Lab 1 and Lab 2 using the same method. What is supported?
Identify the best conclusion: Results differ between Lab 1 and Lab 2 using the same method. What is supported?
Tap to reveal answer
The effect is not consistently replicated across labs. Different labs got different results.
The effect is not consistently replicated across labs. Different labs got different results.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the strongest conclusion you may draw from data in a passage?
What is the strongest conclusion you may draw from data in a passage?
Tap to reveal answer
Only what is directly supported by the given evidence. Avoids unsupported inferences beyond the data.
Only what is directly supported by the given evidence. Avoids unsupported inferences beyond the data.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What term describes a claim that goes beyond the measured range of the data?
What term describes a claim that goes beyond the measured range of the data?
Tap to reveal answer
Extrapolation. Prediction beyond measured data range.
Extrapolation. Prediction beyond measured data range.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which relationship is shown when two variables change together but one may not cause the other?
Which relationship is shown when two variables change together but one may not cause the other?
Tap to reveal answer
Correlation (association), not necessarily causation. Co-variation doesn't prove causation.
Correlation (association), not necessarily causation. Co-variation doesn't prove causation.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the key flaw if a claim states that $X$ causes $Y$ based only on a trend in a graph?
What is the key flaw if a claim states that $X$ causes $Y$ based only on a trend in a graph?
Tap to reveal answer
Confusing correlation with causation. Assumes causation from correlation alone.
Confusing correlation with causation. Assumes causation from correlation alone.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a control group used for when evaluating an experimental claim?
What is a control group used for when evaluating an experimental claim?
Tap to reveal answer
A baseline for comparison without the treatment. Shows what happens without treatment.
A baseline for comparison without the treatment. Shows what happens without treatment.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a confounding variable in evaluating a scientific claim?
What is a confounding variable in evaluating a scientific claim?
Tap to reveal answer
A third factor that changes with the independent variable. Uncontrolled factor that affects results.
A third factor that changes with the independent variable. Uncontrolled factor that affects results.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option best evaluates a claim based on $n=2$ subjects per group?
Which option best evaluates a claim based on $n=2$ subjects per group?
Tap to reveal answer
Support is weak due to very small sample size. Too few subjects for reliable conclusions.
Support is weak due to very small sample size. Too few subjects for reliable conclusions.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the flaw: The control and treatment groups were measured with different instruments. What is the flaw?
Identify the flaw: The control and treatment groups were measured with different instruments. What is the flaw?
Tap to reveal answer
Measurement method is a confounding factor. Different tools introduce systematic bias.
Measurement method is a confounding factor. Different tools introduce systematic bias.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the best-supported statement if data show large trial-to-trial variation around the same mean.
Identify the best-supported statement if data show large trial-to-trial variation around the same mean.
Tap to reveal answer
Random error is high; precision is low. High variability reduces measurement quality.
Random error is high; precision is low. High variability reduces measurement quality.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option best evaluates a claim that relies on a single outlier point to show an effect?
Which option best evaluates a claim that relies on a single outlier point to show an effect?
Tap to reveal answer
The claim is weak; one outlier is insufficient evidence. Single unusual point is unreliable evidence.
The claim is weak; one outlier is insufficient evidence. Single unusual point is unreliable evidence.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the correct conclusion: A dose-response curve rises then falls at high dose. What is supported?
Identify the correct conclusion: A dose-response curve rises then falls at high dose. What is supported?
Tap to reveal answer
High dose reduces the response compared with moderate dose. High dose shows inhibitory effect.
High dose reduces the response compared with moderate dose. High dose shows inhibitory effect.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which option best evaluates a claim when the graph axes are unlabeled with no units?
Which option best evaluates a claim when the graph axes are unlabeled with no units?
Tap to reveal answer
The claim cannot be properly evaluated without variable identity and units. Missing labels prevent meaningful evaluation.
The claim cannot be properly evaluated without variable identity and units. Missing labels prevent meaningful evaluation.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the best conclusion: Two studies agree on direction of effect but differ in magnitude. What is supported?
Identify the best conclusion: Two studies agree on direction of effect but differ in magnitude. What is supported?
Tap to reveal answer
Direction is supported; precise magnitude is uncertain. Trend direction is consistent across studies.
Direction is supported; precise magnitude is uncertain. Trend direction is consistent across studies.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →