Research Methods Experimentation in Scientific Research: Variables and controls in practice by Anthony Carpi, Ph.D., Anne E. Egger, Ph.D. Reading Quiz Teach with this 1. An experimental approach to problem solving is only useful in scientific research laboratories. true false 2. A key aspect of the experimental method is that only experiments involve the use of controls. one or more variables are consciously manipulated. experiments are completed in research laboratories. one or more variables are observed. 3. A well-designed experiment to investigate the effect of increased CO2 concentration on plant growth could include: exposing 100 plants to high CO2 concentration. exposing 50 plants to high CO2 concentration and 50 plants to zero CO2 concentration. exposing 100 plants to normal CO2 concentration and then later to high CO2 concentration. exposing 50 plants to high CO2 concentration and 50 plants to normal CO2 concentration. 4. In the image that follows of Louis Pasteur's flasks, Figure 26 in the lower right corner represents a positive control. a negative control. the treatment group. a non-experimental flask. 5. Scientific research always makes use of only one methodology and never overlaps multiple methods. true false 6. A medical researcher is working to find a cure for diabetes. In the process of her research, she has identified a compound that she thinks might reduce the amount of insulin a diabetic patient needs each day. Her research team had recruited 300 test subjects and divided them into six groups: 1A, 1B, 1C, and 2A, 2B, 2C. None of the individuals will know what medications they are receiving. Which of the following groups is the control? Group 1A – receives 25 mg of the new compound along with their regular amount of insulin Group 1B – receives 25 mg of the new compound along with half of their regular amount of insulin Group 1C – receives 25 mg of the new compound along with a quarter of their regular amount of insulin Group 2A – receives 25 mg of a placebo and their regular amount of insulin Group 2B – receives 25 mg of a placebo and half of their regular amount of insulin Group 2C – receives 25 mg of a placebo and a quarter of their regular amount of insulin Group 1A Group 1B Group 2A Group 2C 7. In the same experiment described above, what is the independent variable? The new compound. The amount of insulin. The reaction of the patient. The placebo. 8. What is the dependent variable in the experiment? The amount of insulin. The compound. The reaction of the patient. The placebo. Score Quiz
