Final answer:
The question about whether roses or carnations smell better is not a good scientific question because it is based on subjective opinions, which cannot be objectively measured or tested.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'Which smells better, roses or carnations?' is not a good scientific question because it is based on subjective opinion rather than objective measurement. Preferences for smells are personal and can vary widely among different people, making it impossible to test the question in a scientifically rigorous way. However, a similar question that examines specific compounds in the smells or the intensity of the smells could be a better fit for scientific inquiry, as it would allow for objective measurements.
For example, the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation conducted a study related to the impact of smell on learning, where subjectivity was minimized by objectively recording the time it took to complete tasks while exposed to different scents. Moreover, in scientific research, the hypothesis should be falsifiable. Personal impressions or preferences do not meet this criterion, as outlined in cases such as the example where carrion flies are attracted to compounds, not personal opinions.
Therefore, to convert the initial question into a valid scientific inquiry, it may be redesigned to test a falsifiable hypothesis, such as whether a particular compound in roses or carnations is more effective at attracting a certain type of insect, which would remove the subjectivity and allow for objective measurement and replication.