A good conclusion restates the hypothesis so that the reader
A. Does not have to return to the beginning of the report
B. Sees how the scientist applied the results to the hypothesis
C. Understands how the methods relate to the hypothesis
D. Recognizes that the hypothesis was correct
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is B. Sees how the scientist applied the results to the hypothesis.
Explanation:
A good conclusion in a scientific report is important because it provides a final synthesis of the research and ties together the results with the hypothesis posed at the beginning of the study. The purpose of the conclusion is not just to repeat the hypothesis but to explain how the results support or refute it, based on the data collected and analyzed throughout the experiment.
Let’s break down the choices:
- A. Does not have to return to the beginning of the report:
This is not the primary goal of a conclusion. While the conclusion may briefly restate the hypothesis, its purpose is to focus on how the results are connected to the hypothesis, not just to save the reader from going back to the introduction. - B. Sees how the scientist applied the results to the hypothesis:
This is the correct answer. A conclusion should emphasize how the experimental results either support or contradict the hypothesis. This shows the relevance of the hypothesis in guiding the study and how the research findings either validate or challenge the original prediction. By applying the results to the hypothesis, the scientist demonstrates the significance of their findings and provides a clear final interpretation of their study. - C. Understands how the methods relate to the hypothesis:
While methods are important in a scientific report, the conclusion is typically not focused on the methods but rather on the results and their implications. The connection between the methods and the hypothesis is usually explained earlier in the report in the methodology section, not in the conclusion. - D. Recognizes that the hypothesis was correct:
This is not always true. A conclusion should be objective and reflect whether the hypothesis was supported or not, rather than just claiming that the hypothesis was correct. Scientific research is about drawing conclusions based on evidence, and the result may show that the hypothesis was incorrect or only partially supported.
In summary, the key purpose of the conclusion is to explain how the data obtained in the experiment relate to the hypothesis, providing the reader with insight into the validity of the hypothesis based on the results.