Science Unit 4, Data Science 2 ~25 min Checkpoint 1

Checkpoint 1

Review the key ideas from Lessons 1-5, then test yourself with 10 multiple-choice questions and 3 short-answer questions.

🎯

Quick Review

1

Investigable vs Non-Investigable Questions

Focus: An investigable question can be answered by collecting data through a fair test. It needs a variable you can change and one you can measure, and it must be feasible with the time, equipment and ethics you have. Opinion and value questions cannot be investigated.

Key terms: Investigable question, Variable, Feasibility

2

Identifying Scientifically Testable Claims

Focus: A testable claim can be supported or refuted by evidence gathered through one or more investigations. Vague or unfalsifiable claims must be turned into a clear, testable hypothesis before they can be tested.

Key terms: Claim, Testable, Hypothesis

3

Hypothesis Testing and Peer Review

Focus: Scientific knowledge is verified and refined through repeated hypothesis testing and peer review, where independent experts check a study before it is published. A single study is weaker than a finding that has been replicated many times.

Key terms: Peer review, Replication, Hypothesis

4

Evaluating Online Sources

Focus: Use clear criteria to judge whether online content is valid and reliable: the author and their expertise, the evidence and citations, how current it is, its purpose and any bias, the publisher or domain, and whether other trusted sources agree.

Key terms: Valid, Reliable, Bias

5

Evidence, Reasoning and Conclusions

Focus: Data becomes evidence when it is used to support or challenge a claim. Reasoning links the evidence to a conclusion. A good conclusion is supported by the data and does not overreach by claiming more than the data shows.

Key terms: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Multiple Choice (10 questions)

1. Which of these is an investigable question?

AAre plants nicer than animals?
BShould everyone grow a garden?
CDoes the amount of fertiliser affect bean plant height after 3 weeks?
DWhy are plants so interesting?

2. Which question is non-investigable?

ADoes salt affect the boiling point of water?
BShould governments ban single-use plastic?
CDoes light colour affect algae growth?
DDoes surface type affect how far a ball rolls?

3. What makes a claim scientifically testable?

AA lot of people believe it
BIt can be supported or refuted by evidence from an investigation
CIt appears on a popular website
DIt sounds scientific

4. Which of these is a testable claim?

AThis fertiliser increases tomato yield
BThis crystal holds a special healing energy
CSunsets are the most beautiful sight in nature
DEveryone should believe in science

5. What is peer review?

AAsking friends if they agree with your results
BRepeating an experiment yourself
CIndependent experts checking a study before it is published
DCounting how many people share a study online

6. Why should the result of a single study be treated with caution?

ASingle studies are always wrong
BScientists are not allowed to publish single studies
CA finding becomes trusted only after it is replicated by others
DOne study takes too long to read

7. Which is the strongest sign that an online source is reliable?

AIt has bright images and a catchy headline
BA named expert author backs claims with cited evidence
CIt has been shared thousands of times
DIt appears first in a search

8. A website's main purpose is to sell a product it also reviews. This is a concern about:

ACurrency
BSpelling
CBias
DLoading speed

9. In Claim, Evidence, Reasoning, what turns data into evidence?

AWriting the data in a neat table
BCollecting as much data as possible
CUsing the data to support or challenge a claim
DMeasuring the data twice

10. A conclusion that claims far more than the data actually shows is best described as:

AWell supported
BOverreaching
CRepeatable
DObjective

Short Answer (3 questions)

SA1

Explain the difference between an investigable and a non-investigable question, giving one example of each. (4 marks)

Write your answer in your book.
SA2

Describe two criteria you would use to judge whether an online source is reliable, and explain why each one matters. (4 marks)

Write your answer in your book.
SA3

Using Claim, Evidence and Reasoning, explain how data from an investigation is used to support a conclusion, and why a scientist should avoid overreaching. (5 marks)

Write your answer in your book.
🎮

Test Your Knowledge

Put what you have reviewed to the test! Jump through the checkpoint questions in game form.

Play Game

Mark this checkpoint as complete

Tick the box when you have finished the questions and played the game.

← Unit Overview Lesson 1 →