THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 03 Academic Reading Test 1 · Part 3 · Questions 29–40
Reading Passage
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 29-40 which are based on Reading Passage 3 on the following pages.
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
A ‘Hypotheses,’ said Medawar in 1964, ‘are imaginative and inspirational in character’; they are ‘adventures of the mind’. He was arguing in favour of the position taken by Karl Popper in The Logic of Scientific Discovery (1972, 3rd edition) that the nature of scientific method is hypothetico-deductive and not, as is generally believed, inductive.
B It is essential that you, as an intending researcher, understand the difference between these two interpretations of the research process so that you do not become discouraged or begin to suffer from a feeling of ‘cheating’ or not going about it the right way.
C The myth of scientific method is that it is inductive: that the formulation of scientific theory starts with the basic, raw evidence of the senses - simple, unbiased, unprejudiced observation. Out of these sensory data - commonly referred to as ‘facts’ — generalisations will form. The myth is that from a disorderly array of factual information an orderly, relevant theory will somehow emerge. However, the starting point of induction is an impossible one.
D There is no such thing as an unbiased observation. Every act of observation we make is a function of what we have seen or otherwise experienced in the past. All scientific work of an experimental or exploratory nature starts with some expectation about the outcome. This expectation is a hypothesis. Hypotheses provide the initiative and incentive for the inquiry and influence the method. It is in the light of an expectation that some observations are held to be relevant and some irrelevant, that one methodology is chosen and others discarded, that some experiments are conducted and others are not. Where is, your naive, pure and objective researcher now?
E Hypotheses arise by guesswork, or by inspiration, but having been formulated they can and must be tested rigorously, using the appropriate methodology. If the predictions you make as a result of deducing certain consequences from your hypothesis are not shown to be correct then you discard or modify your hypothesis. If the predictions turn out to be correct then your hypothesis has been supported and may be retained until such time as some further test shows it not to be correct. Once you have arrived at your hypothesis, which is a product of your imagination, you then proceed to a strictly logical and rigorous process, based upon deductive argument — hence the term ‘hypothetico-deductive’.
F So don’t worry if you have some idea of what your results will tell you before you even begin to collect data; there are no scientists in existence who really wait until they have all the evidence in front of them before they try to work out what it might possibly mean. The closest we ever get to this situation is when something happens by accident; but even then the researcher has to formulate a hypothesis to be tested before being sure that, for example, a mould might prove to be a successful antidote to bacterial infection.
G The myth of scientific method is not only that it is inductive (which we have seen is incorrect) but also that the hypothetico-deductive method proceeds in a step-by-step, inevitable fashion. The hypothetico-deductive method describes the logical approach to much research work, but it does not describe the psychological behaviour that brings it about. This is much more holistic — involving guesses, reworkings, corrections, blind alleys and above all inspiration, in the deductive as well as the hypothetic component -than is immediately apparent from reading the final thesis or published papers. These have been, quite properly, organised into a more serial, logical order so that the worth of the output may be evaluated independently of the behavioural processes by which it was obtained. It is the difference, for example between the academic papers with which Crick and Watson demonstrated the structure of the DNA molecule and the fascinating book The Double Helix in which Watson (1968) described how they did it. From this point of view, ‘scientific method’ may more usefully be thought of as a way of writing up research rather than as a way of carrying it out.
Questions
Questions 29–33 Matching Headings
Reading Passage 3 has seven paragraphs A-G.
Choose the most suitable headings for paragraphs C-G from the list of headings below.
i. The Crick and Watson approach to research
ii. Antidotes to bacterial infection
iii. The testing of hypotheses
iv. Explaining the inductive method
v. Anticipating results before data is collected
vi. How research is done and how it is reported
vii. The role of hypotheses in scientific research
viii. Deducing the consequences of hypotheses
ix. Karl Popper’s claim that the scientific method is hypothetico-deductive
x. The unbiased researcher
Questions 34–35 Two Choices
Choose the correct letters.
Questions 36–39 Yes / No / Not Given
Do the following statements reflect the opinions of the writer in Reading Passage 3?
YES if the statement reflects the opinion of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts the opinion of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
Questions 40–40 One Choice
Choose the appropriate letter A-D
Which of the following statements best describes the writer’s main purpose in Reading Passage 3?
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q29 | iv | The myth of scientific method is that it is inductive: that the formulation of scientific theory starts with the basic, raw evidence of the senses - simple, unbiased, unprejudiced observation | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains the idea of the inductive method, which suggests that scientists create theories by starting with simple, fair observations made through their senses. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'iv', which indicates that the most suitable heading for Paragraph C is 'Explaining the inductive method'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'iv' because Paragraph C focuses on describing what the inductive method is. It explains that this method involves starting with basic observations and data from the senses to create a general theory. Although the writer calls this a 'myth', they spend the paragraph defining and explaining the steps of 'induction'—namely, moving from raw facts to generalizations. |
| Q30 | vii | Hypotheses provide the initiative and incentive for the inquiry and influence the method. It is in the light of an expectation that some observations are held to be relevant and some irrelevant, that one methodology is chosen and others discarded, that some experiments are conducted and others are not | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that guesses (hypotheses) give scientists a reason to start their search for answers and help them decide how to do their work. Because they have these ideas first, they can choose what information is important and which tests are the right ones to perform. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Paragraph D explains why having a starting idea or guess (called a hypothesis) is important for doing science work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'vii' because Paragraph D focuses on how a scientist's 'expectation' or 'hypothesis' is the starting point for all research. It describes the 'role' of these ideas by explaining that they give the scientist a reason to start, help them decide which 'methodology' or way of working is best, and help them choose which 'experiments' are worth trying. It shows that a hypothesis isn't just an idea, but a tool that guides the whole scientific process. |
| Q31 | iii | Hypotheses arise by guesswork, or by inspiration, but having been formulated they can and must be tested rigorously, using the appropriate methodology. If the predictions you make as a result of deducing certain consequences from your hypothesis are not shown to be correct then you discard or modify your hypothesis | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that ideas can come from guesses or inspiration, but once you have an idea, you must check it very carefully using proper methods. If your idea does not match the results of your tests, you must change it or get rid of it. Answer Explanation: The answer is the heading 'iii. The testing of hypotheses,' which refers to the process of checking if a scientific idea is correct or not. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is iii because Paragraph E describes the process that happens after a scientist creates a hypothesis (an idea). It explains that these ideas 'must be tested rigorously.' The paragraph details how a researcher checks their predictions and either keeps, changes (modifies), or throws away (discards) the idea based on the results of the tests. |
| Q32 | v | So don’t worry if you have some idea of what your results will tell you before you even begin to collect data; there are no scientists in existence who really wait until they have all the evidence in front of them before they try to work out what it might possibly mean | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says it is okay to have an idea of the answer before you start your work because all scientists do this rather than waiting for all the facts first. Answer Explanation: The answer 'v' means having an idea about what will happen in an experiment before you actually gather information. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'v' because Paragraph F explains that scientists do not wait for all the evidence before thinking about what it means. Instead, they often have an expectation or an idea of the outcome before they start. This matches the heading 'Anticipating results before data is collected', where 'anticipating' means having an idea of something before it happens and 'data' refers to the evidence gathered during a study. |
| Q33 | vi | From this point of view, ‘scientific method’ may more usefully be thought of as a way of writing up research rather than as a way of carrying it out | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage suggests that the 'scientific method' is really a style for writing reports about a project rather than a description of the real-life steps taken to perform the work. Answer Explanation: The answer 'vi' indicates that Paragraph G focuses on the distinction between the actual process of performing research and the formal way that research is presented to others. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is vi because Paragraph G explains that scientific reports (the way research is reported) are structured in a logical, step-by-step order, which is different from the messier 'psychological behaviour' (how research is done) involving mistakes and inspiration. It clarifies that what we call the 'scientific method' is often just a specific way to write about results so they can be judged by others. |
| Q34 | — | — | |
| Q35 | B / F | It is essential that you, as an intending researcher, understand the difference between these two interpretations of the research process so that you do not become discouraged or begin to suffer from a feeling of ‘cheating’ or not going about it the right way So don’t worry if you have some idea of what your results will tell you before you even begin to collect data; there are no scientists in existence who really wait until they have all the evidence in front of them before they try to work out what it might possibly mean |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage uses direct language to help the reader. The first part tells the reader that they must learn about different research styles so they do not feel bad or confused. The second part tells the reader to be calm and not to worry if they already have ideas about their results before they finish their work. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies paragraphs B and F as the specific parts of the text where the author speaks directly to the person reading the text to offer guidance and encouragement. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B and F because these are the only sections where the author uses the word 'you' to address the reader as an 'intending researcher' and provides helpful suggestions. In Paragraph B, the author explains why it is 'essential' (very important) for the reader to understand certain concepts to avoid feeling like they are 'cheating.' In Paragraph F, the author gives the specific advice 'don’t worry,' reassuring the reader that having expectations before gathering data is a normal part of science. |
| Q36 | YES / Y | He was arguing in favour of the position taken by Karl Popper in The Logic of Scientific Discovery (1972, 3rd edition) that the nature of scientific method is hypothetico-deductive and not, as is generally believed, inductive | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that Karl Popper wrote a book where he claimed that the way science is done is 'hypothetico-deductive'. This is the opposite of the common belief that science is 'inductive'. Answer Explanation: The answer YES means that the statement matches the writer's opinion expressed in the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is YES because the passage explicitly mentions Karl Popper's viewpoint on science. It states that Popper's 'position' (which means his opinion or belief) is that the scientific method is 'hypothetico-deductive'. This matches the statement in the question perfectly. |
| Q37 | NO / N | If the predictions turn out to be correct then your hypothesis has been supported and may be retained until such time as some further test shows it not to be correct | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if your prediction is right, your idea is helped (supported) and you can keep it (retained). However, you only keep it until a new test shows that it is actually incorrect. Answer Explanation: The answer means that if a scientific guess (prediction) comes true, it does not mean the idea (hypothesis) behind it is proven to be 100% true forever. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NO because the text explains that when predictions match the results, the hypothesis is 'supported' and 'retained' (kept), but not 'confirmed as true.' The author notes that scientists only keep an idea until a future test might show it is wrong. This shows that science treats ideas as likely explanations that can change, rather than final, unchangeable truths. Keywords to notice are 'supported' and 'retained,' which are weaker than saying something is 'true.' |
| Q38 | NOT GIVEN / NG | It is essential that you, as an intending researcher, understand the difference between these two interpretations of the research process so that you do not become discouraged or begin to suffer from a feeling of ‘cheating’ or not going about it the right way | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that someone starting research needs to understand the two different theories of science so they do not feel bad or think they are 'cheating' or doing things the wrong way. This shows the text is talking about how people might feel or think about their work, rather than saying that many people are actually doing it wrong. Answer Explanation: The answer is NOT GIVEN because the text does not state whether a large number of people are actually performing research in an incorrect or 'mistaken' manner. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because while the text explains that the 'inductive' method is a 'myth' and that researchers might feel like they are 'cheating,' it never confirms that many people are actually conducting research incorrectly. It suggests that scientists naturally use hypotheses (expectations) even if they haven't seen all the evidence yet. The text mentions that a researcher might 'feel' they are not going about it 'the right way,' but this is presented as a potential feeling based on a misunderstanding of the process, not a statement of fact that many people are making mistakes in their work. |
| Q39 | YES / Y | From this point of view, ‘scientific method’ may more usefully be thought of as a way of writing up research rather than as a way of carrying it out | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the scientific method is best understood as a method for reporting the end results of research rather than the actual process scientists follow when they are doing their experiments. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the author believes the term 'scientific method' is a better label for how scientists explain their work on paper than for how they actually perform the tasks. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is YES because the author explains in the final paragraph that while research papers look very organized and logical, the actual process of doing science is messy and involves guessing. The author directly states that it is more helpful to think of the scientific method as a style of 'writing up' (reporting) research rather than a way of 'carrying it out' (doing the work). |
| Q40 | D | It is essential that you, as an intending researcher, understand the difference between these two interpretations of the research process so that you do not become discouraged or begin to suffer from a feeling of ‘cheating’ or not going about it the right way | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that it is very important for new researchers to understand the two main ways to look at science. This knowledge helps them feel positive and prevents them from thinking they are doing a bad job or being dishonest. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the writer's goal is to support new science students by teaching them about the different ideas people have regarding how scientific research is done. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the author explicitly addresses someone who wants to be a researcher ("intending researcher") and explains that they need to understand the different ways research projects happen. The text compares the idea of "induction" (the belief that we start with pure facts) and the "hypothetico-deductive" method (the idea that we start with a guess or expectation). By explaining these "interpretations"—which are the same as "conceptions"—the author helps the student feel confident and avoid feeling like they are "cheating" when they have ideas before they start. |