Question

Why is it impossible for scientists to acquire absolute or unquestionable proof for their explanations and conclusions? a.It is not possible to conduct both an observational and an experimental study on the same issue. b.Scientists can only acquire definitive proof for their hypotheses through unethical experimental studies. c.Even well‑substantiated theories can be revised if new findings support a different conclusion. d.Scientists do not have adequate funding to conduct sufficiently thorough experiments and studies.

Answer 1

The open-ended nature of scientific inquiry means scientists can't acquire absolute proof for their explanations and conclusions. Hypotheses must be testable and falsifiable. Even if experimental results agree with a hypothesis, this doesn't definitively prove it as science continually evolves, and new findings may challenge existing theories.

Step-by-step explanation:

Why scientists can't acquire absolute or unquestionable proof for their explanations and conclusions is due to the fundamental nature of scientific inquiry. In science, a hypothesis is developed to explain certain phenomena or events. These hypotheses must be testable and falsifiable, meaning they are open to being proven wrong through experimental results.

Once a hypothesis is proposed, scientists perform experiments. If an experiment's results do not align with the predictions of the hypothesis, the hypothesis may be discarded or modified. However, even when experimental results agree with the predictions of a hypothesis, it does not definitively prove the hypothesis to be absolutely correct.

This is because science continually evolves, and new findings or better methodologies may challenge existing beliefs. Hence, option C of your question provides a suitable reason. It states: Even well-substantiated theories can be revised if new findings support a different conclusion. This captures the tentative, open-to-change nature of science.

Learn more about Scientific Inquiry