Question

Which of the following is a poor scientific practice?

A. Listening to other scientists when they have ideas about your experiment.
B. Changing the results or records after an experiment is finished.
C. Keeping detailed records of your experiment's results.
D. Checking your conclusions by looking for any weaknesses in the experiment.

Answer 1

Changing the results or records after an experiment is finished represents poor scientific practice as it compromises the integrity and validity of scientific results.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the listed options, the one that represents a poor scientific practice is B. Changing the results or records after an experiment is finished. In the scientific method, it is crucial to maintain integrity in the documentation of experiments. Changing data post-experiment means compromising the reliability and validity of the results, which undermines the scientific process.

Other practices such as listening to other scientists, keeping detailed records, and checking your conclusions are all considered excellent scientific practices. These actions help ensure experimental accuracy, peer review, reproducibility, and the strengthening of scientific knowledge through collaboration and critical analysis.