ANSWERS (latest 2026/2027 UPDATE)
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION { Grade A}
The steps of the scientific method - correct answer 1. observe
2. ask questions
3. formulate hypothesis (scientifically & statistically)
4. make predictions
5. design an experiment
6. conduct experiment
7. collect data
8. analyze data
9. do you reject or fail to reject the null hypothesis?
10. report results
11. reflect on results and create new questions
Translate observations into questions - correct answer the questions are based on
informative observations that lead you to a proper hypothesis and suggests the
pathway for investigation
EXAMPLE: We observe that plastics can affect organisms --> question: how many
organisms are affected by plastics?
Scientific hypothesis - correct answer clearly identifies the process or organism being
investigated, states the relationship between scientific variables, and must provide
mechanistic explanation for relationship that is being systematically tested.
, BSC1010L MIDTERM 102 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (latest 2026/2027 UPDATE)
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION { Grade A}
EXAMPLE: heavy precipitation during the rain season in South Florida increases the
amount of woody and herbaceous fuels, eliminating the constraints on natural brush
fires, which result in secondary successions.
Statistical hypothesis: null and alternative - correct answer Null: states there is no
significant relationship between two observed phenomena (variables)
Alternative: there is a significant relationship between two observed phenomena
(variables)
Prediction - correct answer a statement that foretells what is believed to most likely
occur based on observations; it doesn't provide a possible mechanistic explanation to
the relationship depicted in a statement, but provides a statement that anticipates
the outcome of an experiment in lab or nature
Independent variable - correct answer the variable that is manipulated; the cause
Dependent variable - correct answer response variable; the effect
Control variable - correct answer must stay constant throughout the whole
experiment; these factors cannot change or influence the interpretation of the
experimental data
, BSC1010L MIDTERM 102 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (latest 2026/2027 UPDATE)
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION { Grade A}
Control group - correct answer ensures that there standardization in the experiment
plan; used for comparisons; replicates with all the same conditions as experimental
treatment, except for the treatment variable
Qualitative data - correct answer categorical data
Quantitative data - correct answer numerical data
Mean - correct answer measures the arithmetic average or each replicated treatment
Median - correct answer measure of central tendency
Range - correct answer calculating the difference between the extreme
measurements of the sample
Variance - correct answer a statistical measure of dispersion about the mean; it is a
squared value so it is hard to relate raw data
Standard deviation - correct answer summarizes the variation in a data set, in the
same units as the data, but not as affected by extreme values as the range; helps us
understand the variation among replicated treatments in relatable units