Year 9 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 3
Challenge Worksheet
Learning Goals
Odd one out
Circle the item that does not belong in each group. Then explain why it doesn't fit in the answer column.
| # | Group | Your answer (odd one + reason) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hypothesis Test Evidence Popularity | |
| 2 | Peer review Replication Number of online views Repeated testing | |
| 3 | Independent team repeats it Same team repeats it Different sites agree Different samples agree | |
| 4 | Retraction Updating after new evidence Refusing to change your mind Self-correction |
Evaluate the claim
Someone claims...
A single, peer-reviewed study with 18 participants reports that a new vitamin cures the common cold. A wellness influencer shares it, writing: "It's peer reviewed, so it's proven. Scientists have confirmed it, stop doubting and start taking it." The post gets two million likes.
(a) The study was peer reviewed. Explain why being peer reviewed still does not make this finding established science. Refer to the difference between a single study and an established finding.
(b) Why are two million likes not evidence that the claim is scientifically valid? Use the ideas of objectivity and replication in your answer.
(c) Set out the full sequence of checks this vitamin claim would need to pass before doctors should rely on it. For each step, explain what it adds to our confidence.
(d) Some people say, "Scientists keep changing their advice, so science can't be trusted." Write a short, reasoned argument explaining why updating conclusions in response to better evidence is actually a strength of science.
Wrap Up
In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?