Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

Which concept emphasizes the importance of models and explanations in scientific practice?

1. Constancy, change, and measurement

2. Form and function

3. Evidence, models, and explanation

4. Evolution and equilibrium

The correct answer is: Evidence, models, and explanation

The concept that emphasizes the importance of models and explanations in scientific practice is centered on the role that models play in representing and understanding scientific phenomena. This approach recognizes that scientific knowledge is not just about accumulating facts, but also about developing frameworks that can help in interpreting data and making predictions. Models serve as simplified representations of complex systems or processes, allowing scientists to visualize and analyze relationships within the data. They provide a way to test hypotheses and make sense of observations. Explanations, conversely, help to articulate why something happens based on the theoretical background and empirical evidence. Together, they are crucial for advancing scientific understanding, facilitating communication among scientists, and fostering the application of the scientific method. In contrast, the other concepts listed primarily focus on different aspects of science. For instance, constancy, change, and measurement deals more with the nature of scientific inquiry and the aspects of physical properties over time, while form and function relates to biological structures and their purposes. Evolution and equilibrium pertain to specific theories in biology about how species change over time and the balance within ecosystems. Each of these topics is essential in its own right, but they do not have the same direct emphasis on the role of models and explanations as the correct answer does.