Question

Select the correct statement about the process of scientific inquiry.
A) The goal of scientific research is to prove the stated hypothesis.
B) It is possible to test hypotheses, such as those involving historical events, without conducting experiments.
C) If the results of an experiment do not support the hypothesis that is tested, the experiment is badly designed.
D) All of the above

Answer 1

The correct statement about the process of scientific inquiry is B) It is possible to test hypotheses, such as those involving historical events, without conducting experiments.

Why can't we prove hypothesis through scientific experiments?

• As we know, many of the organisms existing in the past have become extinct and it is not possible to perform experiments on them and hence, historical events cannot be proved through experiments.
• Historical events are based on predictions which are made through supporting data found from sources such as fossils, genetics etc.
• Other options, such as option C, is not correct because if the results of an experiment do not support a hypothesis then it means that the hypothesis is false, it does not necessarily mean that the experiment was not designed properly.