Scientific nutrition
Many important findings about nutrients have been made through scientific research. The scientific process involves making observations, developing hypotheses (predictions) about observations, testing hypotheses through experiments, evaluating results, and drawing conclusions based on evidence. For this assignment, you will read How Science Works and the The Science Learning Center then address the items below.
Cite all sources in a standard citation format (APA, MLA, other). Cited sources are worth 10 points.
Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are worth 5 points.
Answers must be in your own words. Be sure to use college-level paraphrasing skills. To learn more about paraphrasing, see this link:
(A) Define the terms below in your own words. (5 points)
Hypothesis
Independent variable and Dependent variable
Controlled (control) variable
Randomized trial
Double-blind study
(B) Short Answer. Answer the items below in your own words (20 pts)
Explain how the independent variable relates to the dependent variable in an experiment
Explain how a controlled (control) variable is different from an independent variable
Define correlation as it relates to an observation. Provide an example of data results where there is a correlation between the variables.
Define causality as it relates to experimental design and experimental results. Define in your own words and use the terms ‘independent variable’ and ‘dependent variable’ as part of your definition. Provide an example of data results where there is a causal relationship between the variables in an experiment.
True or False: A hypothesis statement does not need to mention the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable. Explain the reasoning for your answer.
(C) For each of the three nutrition research scenarios below, provide the following information in your own words:
(i) State the purpose of the study
(ii) State the hypothesis. Explain what information you used to come up with a hypothesis statement.
(iii) State the variables in the scenario. What are the Independent, Dependent, and Controlled (control) variables?
(iv) Is this a double-blind study?
(v) Imagine that you conducted the experiment to test your hypothesis. Provide hypothetical results from the experiment (i.e., provide hypothetical data for the dependent variable). Do your hypothetical results support the hypothesis? Explain your answer.
