Practice comparing and contrasting different scientific hypotheses or theories.
When two scientists disagree, what should you first determine?
Identify their core assumptions or interpretations of data that lead to different conclusions.
Scientist 1 believes A causes B. Scientist 2 believes C causes B. What might they disagree about?
They agree on the outcome (B) but disagree on the cause or explanatory mechanism.
What strengthens a scientist's viewpoint in these passages?
Empirical evidence, specific data, and logical reasoning from that data strengthen scientific arguments.
If both scientists reference the same graph but draw different conclusions, what might differ?
Different interpretations of the same data (e.g., seeing correlation vs. causation) are common in conflicting viewpoints.
A question asks how Scientist 2 would respond to Scientist 1. What should you base your answer on?
Infer based on Scientist 2's established viewpoint and how it contrasts with Scientist 1's claims.