A scientist hypothesized that oxygen atoms from both carbon dioxide and water are used to make glucose during photosynthesis. However, experimental results using oxygen isotopes showed that all of the oxygen from the water ended up in the oxygen molecules that were produced. None of the oxygen from water was found in glucose. What should the scientist do to best gain scientific understanding of this topic?
Answer
A
Repeat the experiment and adjust new data to support the original hypothesis.
B
Discard the faulty results that do not support the original hypothesis, and repeat the experiment using the same methods.
C
Analyze the procedural errors that took place in the experiment, and summarize these in a conclusion statement.
D
Analyze the results, and change the experimental methods to retest the hypotheses in a different way.
Explanation
The results do not support the hypothesis: the oxygen from water was found in the oxygen molecules, not in glucose. A scientist should consider what the results show and, if needed, revise the methods and test the hypothesis again in a different way. Choice D describes this evidence-based approach; changing or discarding data to preserve the original hypothesis would not be scientific.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.