Chapter 1: The Scientific Method
Reading Questions
1. The idea that the universe is controlled by a supernatural force or deity is best described as
a(n): (a) empiricism, (b) cause and effect, (c) teleology, (d) scientific theory.
2. The first step in the scientific method is: (a) formulation of a hypothesis, (b) observation of
an event, (c) setting up an experiment, (d) theorizing on the likely result.
3. Scientific reports of experiments are usually reported by the investigators in: (a) newspapers,
(b) textbooks, (c) scientific journals, (d) magazines.
4. The basic assumption in science that all humans experience events in the same way through
their senses is called: (a) uniformity in space and time, (b) natural causality, (c) cause and
effect, (d) common perception.
5. A scientific statement that is based on experimental data and has some validity is known as
a(n): (a) conclusion, (b) theory, (c) hypothesis, (d) explanation.
6. The condition or event that may change in an experiment is the: (a) independent variable, (b)
controlled variable, (c) original observation, (d) dependent variable.
7. True or False: The results of an experiment do not have to be repeatable.
8. True or False: An experiment wherein the researcher cannot control all of the variables,
common in animal behavior studies, is a natural experiment.
9. True or False: The variable that researchers try to keep the same for the experimental and
control groups is the dependent variable.
10. True or False: Evolution is a popular hypothesis in biology, which needs further support to
demonstrate its validity.

In-Class Exercises
Exercise 1
Some people claim that epileptic seizures are the result of a supernatural force being directed at a
person for punishment of past behavior. Is this a statement of cause and effect or teleology?
Does it violate any of the assumptions above? If so, which one?
Teleology, Yes, it violates natural causality.
Others claim that epilepsy is the result of neurons misfiring in the brain of afflicted individuals.
Does this statement represent cause and effect or teleology? Does it violate any of the
assumptions above? If so, which one?
Cause and effect, No it does not violate any assumptions.
Exercise 2
An experiment is done to test the effect of a new experimental drug for high cholesterol.
A group of 200 volunteers are separated into two groups of 100 each. Both groups are instructed
to follow a similar diet and activity level. Group 1 is given the experimental drug daily for 90
days, while Group 2 is given a placebo. The individuals in the groups do not know whether they
are taking the new drug or the placebo. All participants are tested at the start of the study for their
serum cholesterol levels. The average for Group 1 is 310 mg/dl and the average for Group 2 is
302 mg/dl.
After 90 days, all participants’ serum cholesterol is tested with a blood test. The average
serum cholesterol level for Group 1 is 299mg/dl and the average for Group 2 is 300mg/dl.
Using this information answer the following:
a. What is the hypothesis being tested? The experimental drug will lower the cholesterol of
individuals who have high cholesterol. (Hypotheses may be written differently, using an
H0 and HA scenario)
b. What is the dependent variable? The serum cholesterol level
c. What are the independent variables? The drug and placebo
d. Which variables are controlled? Group size, diet and activities

e. Which is the control group? Group 2 (given the placebo)
f. Did the experiment produce data that supports the hypothesis? Not really. The mean
values for Group 1 did decrease more than for the control group (Group 2), but not by
much (cholesterol is still quite high).
Exercise 3
An experiment is done to test the effect of a high-fat diet on mice. In all, 50 weanling
mice are separated at random into two groups of 25 each. At the start of the experiment all mice
weight approximately the same amount, about 20 g. Group 1 is fed a normal diet with balanced
amounts of protein, carbohydrates, vitamin supplements and fat. Group 2 is fed the same amount
of protein, carbohydrates, and vitamin supplements, but given a much higher fat content. The
cages are cleaned and mice are given fresh food and water daily.
After 6 months all mice are weighed. The average weight in grams for group 1 was 8.2g.
The average weight for group 2 was 12.6g.
Using this information answer the following:
a. What is the hypothesis being tested? A diet high in fat will cause mice to gain more wait
than one with a normal, balanced diet. (Hypotheses may be written differently, using an
H0 and HA scenario)
b. What is the dependent variable? The weight of the mice
c. What are the independent variables? The amount of fat in the diet
d. Which variables are controlled? The amount of protein, carbohydrates, vitamin
supplements and fat, how often the cages are cleaned, and how often the mice are given
fresh food and water.
e. Which is the control group? Group 1(lower fat diet)
f. Did the experiment produce data that supports the hypothesis? Yes, the average weight
for Group 1 is much less than for Group 2. The Group 2 mice are heavier.
Exercise 4
An experiment is done to test the effect of artificial light on geraniums. Seventy-five
geranium seedlings are grown in a laboratory. The plants are separated into five groups of 15
plants each. The following table shows the groups, how much light each receives per day, and

the average height of the plants after 180 days in the laboratory. All plants are fed the same
amount of water and fertilizer daily. Group 4 receives as much light as all the other plants in the
laboratory, which are not part of the experiment. Thus, 16 hours is average. Groups 1 and 3
receive less light than average, and Group 5 received more light than average.
Group # Hours of light per day Height at 180 days
1 3 5.0 cm
2 6 14.5 cm
3 12 29.2 cm
4 16 36.1 cm
5 24 25.4 cm
Using this information, answer the following:
a. What is the hypothesis being tested? The more light a geranium gets per day, the
taller it will grow. (Hypotheses may be written differently, with an H0 and HA
scenario).
b. What is the dependent variable? The height of the geraniums
c. What are the independent variables? The amount of light per day
d. Which variables are controlled? The amount of water and fertilizer (also group size,
length of study)
e. Which is the control group? Group 4 (with the average light per day)
f. Did the experiment produce data that supports the hypothesis? Yes, up to 16 hours of
light per day (the more light geraniums received, the taller they grew). But, when
given 24 hours of light per day, growth was reduced.
Exercise 5
A series of observations that might be made by a biological anthropologist are listed at
the end of this paragraph. Working in teams, choose one observation from the list, formulate a
valid, testable hypothesis, and roughly design an experiment to test your hypothesis. In your
work, state your hypothesis, dependent variable, independent variable, and control variable(s).
*The answers to this question can very greatly. The hypotheses listed are just examples.*
a. Children from low income households show evidence of malnutrition.

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Solution Manual for Method and Practice in Biological Anthropology: A Workbook and Laboratory Manual for Introductory Courses, 2nd Edition

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