Which statement about scientific consensus is true? a- it represents the beliefs of most scientists b- it is the only way to prove a theory true c- it is necessary to form a hypothesis d- it is an assurance that the interpretations of a study are correct e- it is necessary before research can be published in a science journal

Option (a) is correct

Explanation:

In a particular field of study, the collective opinion, judgement or outlook of a number of scientists or people is known as scientific consensus.

Therefore, the statement it represents the beliefs of most scientists is true about scientific consensus.

Scientific consensus is not the only way to prove a theory or law as it is only the collective judgement about a particular study. There might be other ways to prove the study. Hence, option (b) is not correct.

This collective judgement is not necessary to prove that a theory is true as there are number of theories on which there is no collective judgement of scientists. Hence, option (c) is not correct.

The interpretations are verified by going through the information provided. Hence, it is not necessary that scientific consensus is an assurance that the interpretations of a study are correct. Therefore, Hence, option (d) is not correct.

A research is the outcome of several experiments done by a scientist or a group of scientists that is not the collective judgement of number of scientists.  Hence, option (e) is not correct.

Thus, it can be concluded that option (a) is correct that is the statement that scientific consensus represents the beliefs of most scientists.

A.  

It represents the beliefs of most scientists.

B.  

It is the only way to prove a theory true.

C.  

It is necessary to form a hypothesis.

D.  

It is an assurance that the interpretations of a study are correct.

E.  

It is necessary before research can be published in a science journal.

Explanation:

#platofam

1. the question asks the most appropriate, which seems to rule out "all of the above." your choice appears to be the correct one.

2. the protocol described is good for identifying correlation, but not cause and effect. for cause/effect, you need to devise a protocol that will assign the treatment (or not) to groups that have essentially the same "demographics" with respect to all the other variables. your choice regarding control group seems appropriate. random assignment of treatment (choice d) may be appropriate also. (i think you can argue that b and d are just different descriptions of the same method.)

3. d will randomize the birds, but may not guarantee there are 10 in each group. e will do both, so seems the better choice.

comment on question 2

based on the problem statement, it seems clear that confident, attentive drivers are more likely to use daytime running lights. so, the protocol might need to be devised in such a way that the lights would be turned on or off without the driver's knowledge. (an attentive driver will figure it out.) assigning a confident, attentive driver to a group required to drive without running lights might mess with his/her confidence and attentiveness. you don't want your experiment to do that. (nor do you want the experiment to subject a driver to greater risk of accident as a consequence of driving without running lights.) experiments involving human safety are always problematic.