Final answer:
Qualitative analysis is not easily taught as a series of rote procedures and requires understanding, critical thinking, and application of complex concepts. It involves analyzing non-numerical data which differs greatly depending on the specific context and substances involved in an experiment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Is qualitative analysis easily taught as a series of rote procedures? The correct answer is 2) False. Qualitative analysis in science, particularly in chemistry, involves interpreting non-numerical data and requires a deep understanding of concepts, observations, and critical thinking. It is not best taught as a simple series of rote memorization because it typically involves complex reasoning and the application of multiple steps that can vary depending on the context of the experiment or the substances being examined.
For example, analyzing qualitative aspects such as color, odor, or the form of precipitates in a chemical reaction needs the analyst to not just follow a procedure, but also to understand the theory behind why certain reactions happen. Similarly, determining if a statement is subjective or can be tested using the scientific method is an exercise in critical thinking and not simply a procedural task. As an ancillary note, statements about scientific investigations such as 'Data that does not support a hypothesis is not useful' or 'Experimentation is the only valid type of scientific investigation' are misleading. All data, whether supporting or contradicting a hypothesis, is valuable in science, and there are multiple methods of valid investigation beyond strict experimentation.