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Scientific Versus Non-Scientific Questions

Practice choosing scientific questions.

Did the grass die because it needed fertilizer?

  1. Scientific.
  2. Non-scientific.

This is a scientific question because it can be answered by experimentation and/or investigation. You could make it more testable by rephrasing it to say "How does fertilizer affect grass growth?"

This is a scientific question because it can be answered by experimentation and/or investigation. You could make it more testable by rephrasing it to say "How does fertilizer affect grass growth?"

How do metals in water affect the ability of fish to reproduce?

  1. Scientific.
  2. Non-scientific.

This question could be answered by an experiment, so it's a scientific question.

This question could be answered by an experiment, so it's a scientific question.

Which brand of ketchup tastes the best?

  1. Scientific.
  2. Non-scientific.

This question could not be answered by an experiment because different people will have different beliefs and opinions. Because it is based on belief, it is a non-scientific question.

This question could not be answered by an experiment because different people will have different beliefs and opinions. Because it is based on belief, it is a non-scientific question.

What substances make up limestone rock?

  1. Scientific.
  2. Non-scientific.

This question can be answered through systematic observation and investigation. It is a scientific question. Note that this question does not follow the format "How does ____ affect _____?," and that's okay because it is still testable. You can conduct tests in the lab to find out what kinds of substances are in the rock.

This question can be answered through systematic observation and investigation. It is a scientific question. Note that this question does not follow the format "How does ____ affect _____?," and that's okay because it is still testable. You can conduct tests in the lab to find out what kinds of substances are in the rock.

What are the driving directions to my school?

  1. Scientific.
  2. Non-scientific.

You don't need an experiment to answer this question--just a quick look at the map. It's a non-scientific question.

You don't need an experiment to answer this question--just a quick look at the map. It's a non-scientific question.

What is the effect of temperature on the types of microorganisms that live in soil?

  1. Scientific.
  2. Non-scientific.

For this question, you could do an experiment to see how microorganisms differ at different temperatures. It's a scientific question. It is testable as it is written but could also be rephrased to say "How does temperature affect soil microorganisms?"

For this question, you could do an experiment to see how microorganisms differ at different temperatures. It's a scientific question. It is testable as it is written but could also be rephrased to say "How does temperature affect soil microorganisms?"

What college should I go to?

  1. Scientific.
  2. Non-scientific.

While you may make this decision based on systematic study of various colleges, you will ultimately make your decision based on what you feel and believe is right for you. Because this question will be answered by a feeling and not by observation alone, it is a non-scientific question.

While you may make this decision based on systematic study of various colleges, you will ultimately make your decision based on what you feel and believe is right for you. Because this question will be answered by a feeling and not by observation alone, it is a non-scientific question.

Summary

Questions answered correctly:

Questions answered incorrectly: