Do you know more about science and technology than the average American?

Pew Research ^

[camle]

13/13 not overly challenging

[Freelance Warrior]

Compressor puts out heat from its exhaust

The household fridge's compressor is typically powered by an electrical motor, no exhaust. Furthemore, the freezing fluid pipework is sealed, no exhaust here.

[detective]

Science and Technology Knowledge Quiz Results

You answered 13 of 13 questions correctly.

I answered all 13 questions correctly.

[Swordmaker]

The one about medical studies was wrong though. It asked if the proper study procedure to evaluate the effectiveness of a drug is to give the medicine to all or to give half the group the medicine and half nothing. The correct procedure is to divide the group into thirds: medicine/nothing/placebo.

I found the interesting thing about that one to be the fact that it was the only question to which more females than males answered "correctly" according to the required answer. Actually, two groups would work if the second group received a placebo. Each test member must believe they are receiving treatment for the test to be valid. Then, any differences between the two groups can be attributed to the effects of the drug. There may be some placebo effect, but researchers want to see the effect of the drug over and above that. A two group test will do that sufficiently. . . and the placebo effect is well documented so they know what percentage to adjust for.

[Mad Dawgg]

I was astonished at the results especially on the question about which gas makes up most of our atmosphere. Only 31% knew this?

My goodness I learned that in 6th grade science.

[muir_redwoods]

Or water

[ForMyChildren]

Embarrassingly easy for a 62 y.o.

[nascarnation]

My goodness I learned that in 6th grade science.

The human brain can only absorb so much knowledge. Apparently most of the capacity of the current younger set is consumed with the Kardashians, Miley Virus, Lada Gaga, and aspiring to the Life of Julia.

[headsonpikes]

I was just funnin’ you!

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I got a 90% (45 out of 50).

Many of those I hadn't even thought of since high school chemistry. The astronomy ones were easy.

[mrreaganaut]

I think some people are led to throw the test by the age of the Earth and global warming questions. I know several who would as a matter of principle. :)

[Swordmaker]

Imagine if most of hte air was helium {snicker}

I did. . . Then I imagined Obama at the TelePrompTer talking like a munchkin and fell off my chair after spewing my coffee cake all over the monitor and keyboard. . .

[SoothingDave]

I got the male/female question right.

[Freelance Warrior]

Well, I have tried to return the joke :-) stupid me, English isn’t my native language.

[Raven6]

Этот вопрос был вполне уместно для тестирования науки знаний. Нам нужно увидеть больше из них. Спасибо!

[exDemMom]

The problem with your questions is that only one is a science question. The other two are history questions.

I do horrible at history. Unless the history is about a seminal scientist who revealed a fundamental principle used by all scientists afterwards, I probably won’t know the answer.

For bonus credit: draw the structures of adenine, guanine, cytidine, and thymine without looking them up. ;)

[G Larry]

I hate when you have to lie because you know the bias of the test designer.

“What gas do most scientists believe causes temperatures in the atmosphere to rise?

You correctly answered “Carbon dioxide””

“most scientists” DO NOT believe this, because a “scientist” would want “proof” and be competent in evaluating the “evidence”.

[Little Ray]

I thought the basic principles of computers were invented by Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace...

[exDemMom]

The kitchen temperature will increase, at least until the time the refrigerator motor fails because of its futile non-stop efforts to cool the fridge. Until then, the heat of the motor will warm the kitchen.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

I noticed that they inserted a propaganda bit about MMGW in there.

Also, while they mention double blind testing, it has some serious flaws in methodology that need fixing, as it is causing serious problems today especially in the development of new drugs.

For a science test, I would ask people which kinds of experiments are scientific, comparing:

1) A classical science experiment, with systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

2) Mathematical and statistical interpolation and extrapolation.

3) A study, based on ‘social sciences’, about history, political ‘science’ or psychology.

4) Anecdotal discovery.

5) Opinion polls.