Download ESM 1 - Springer Static Content Server

SURVEY INSTRUMENT
Question 1
In biology, which of the following is the best definition of biological evolution?
a. The process of purposefully producing genetically better adapted organisms
b. The process of passing acquired genetic characteristics to new generations
c. The change over time in the genetic composition of a population
d. The process by which individuals can acquire new genetic traits
e. I don't understand the question
What was your reasoning for choosing the response above?
Question 2
Darwin's idea of "natural selection" is based on all of the following EXCEPT:
a. characteristics that are acquired during the life of an individual are passed on to
offspring
b. the best adapted individuals produce the most offspring
c. there is differential reproductive success within populations
d. variation exists within populations
e. populations tend to produce more individuals than the environment can support
f. I don't understand the question
What was your reasoning for choosing the response above?
Question 3
In the phrase "Survival of the Fittest", the fittest are:
a. the organisms with best developed muscles
b. the organisms that survive into the next generation
c. the organisms that are biggest & fastest
d. the organisms that successfully pass their genes on to the next generation
e. I don't understand the question
What was your reasoning for choosing the response above?
Question 4
Natural selection acts directly
a. by causing mutations that improve survival
b. on genotype
c. on phenotype
d. on recessive alleles
e. I don't understand the question
What was your reasoning for choosing the response above?
Question 5
The wing of a bat, the fore-limb of the dog, and the flipper of the whale are said to
be homologous structures. This indicates that:
a. All of these organisms share a common ancestor
b. They have exactly the same function
c. They evolved three separate times
d. Evolution is non-random
e. I don't understand the question
What was your reasoning for choosing the response above?
Question 6
Evolution occurs:
a. in individuals
b. in all populations of all organisms
c. only in populations of non-human organisms
d. only within specific kinds of organisms (e.g. distinct breeds of dogs)
e. under no circumstances
f. None of these answers fits my viewpoint
What was your reasoning for choosing the response above?
Question 7
Speciation, the origin of new species,
a. can only occur in organisms of a similar kind
b. has not occurred since the creation of the Earth
c. always results in more complex organisms
d. can occur in any population of organisms
e. None of the answers fit my basic viewpoint
What was your reasoning for choosing the response above?
Question 8
Please select the response that best fits your reaction to the following statement:
Biological evolution is a valid science idea.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Disagree
d. Strongly Disagree
e. I don't understand the question
f. None of the answers fit my basic viewpoint
What was your reasoning for choosing the response above?
Question 9
Please select the response that best fits your reaction to the following statement:
The Earth is approximately 6,000 - 10,000 years old.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Disagree
d. Strongly Disagree
e. None of these fit my basic viewpoint
What was your reasoning for choosing the response above?
Question 10
Please select the response that best fits your reaction to the following statement:
Biological evolution is just a theory, and therefore is unlikely to be correct.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Disagree
d. Strongly Disagree
e. I don't understand the question
f. None of these answers fit my basic viewpoint
What was your reasoning for choosing the response above?
Question 11
Please select the response that best fits your reaction to the following statement:
Non-human species have evolved. (i.e. undergone biological evolution)
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Disagree
d. Strongly Disagree
e. I don't understand the question
f. None of these answers fit my basic viewpoint
What was your reasoning for choosing the response above?
Question 12
Please select the response that best fits your reaction to the following statement:
Humans have evolved. (i.e. undergone biological evolution)
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Disagree
d. Strongly Disagree
e. I don't understand the question
f. None of these choices fit my basic viewpoint
What was your reasoning for choosing the response above?
Question 13
Read the statement provided, then read the answers provided and select the ONE
that BEST represents your position.
In the U.S. today there is a great deal of public debate over the teaching of biological
evolution in public college science classes. Other ideas such as Intelligent
Design/Creationism have been put forth as an alternative.
a. Neither biological evolution nor Intelligent Design/Creationism should be taught in
College science classes.
b. Both biological evolution and Intelligent Design/Creationism should be taught in
college science classes and given equal time.
c. Both biological evolution and Intelligent Design/Creationism should be taught in
college science classes but Evolution should be given more time.
d. Both biological evolution and Intelligent Design/Creationism should be taught in
college science classes but Intelligent Design/Creationism should be given more time.
e. Only biological evolution should be taught in public college science classes.
f. Only Intelligent Design/Creationism should be taught in public college science
classes.
g. Only biological evolution should be taught as a valid scientific idea, but Intelligent
Design/Creationism might be addressed to educate students about the nature of science
and why Intelligent Design/Creationism is not accepted by the scientific community.
h. I don't know enough about this subject to make a choice.
i. None of these choices fits my basic viewpoint. (If you select this, please write what
your viewpoint is in the space below)
j. A combination of choices fits my basic viewpoint. (If you select this, please write
what your viewpoint is in the space below.)
What was your reasoning for choosing the response above? / What is your viewpoint?
Question 14
Read the statement provided, then read the answers provided and select the ONE
that BEST represents your position.
Biological evolution is overwhelmingly accepted within the scientific community. It
has been for decades. However, a majority of the American public does not accept
the idea. How do you account for this?
a. This is due to a lack of public understanding regarding what science is and how it
works.
b. This is due to a lack of effort from the scientific community to educate the public.
c. This is due to a real conflict between science and religion.
d. This is due to a perceived conflict between science and religion.
e. This is due to strong cultural influences acting upon the public.
f. I don't know enough about this subject to make a choice.
g. None of these choices fits my basic view point. (If you select this, please write what
your viewpoint is in the space below.)
h. Or a combination of choices fits my basic viewpoint. (If you select this, please write
what your viewpoint is in the space below.)
What was your reasoning for choosing the response above? / What is your viewpoint?
Question 15
Please read all of the following options, then select the one that is closest to your
perspective.
a. The Earth is young (6,000 - 10,000 years), with each of the six days of Genesis/
Creation being 24-hour days. God created each kind of organism in its present form.
b. The Earth is ancient (many millions of years), with each of the six days of
Genesis/Creation being long periods of time (thousands or millions of years). God
created each kind of organism in its present form.
c. The Earth is ancient (many millions of years). Biological evolution occurs, but God
has intervened at critical points. God created species through the laws of nature.
d. The Earth is ancient (many millions of years). Biological evolution describes a
natural process that produces species without reliance upon intervention from God.
Biological evolution neither supports nor denies the existence of God.
e. The Earth is ancient (many millions of years). Biological evolution occurs as a natural
process to produce species. Biological evolution supports the idea that God does not
exist.
f. None of these options fit my perspective. If you select this answer, please describe
your perspective, in as much detail as you can, in the following text box.
What was your reasoning for choosing the response above? / What is your viewpoint?
Question 16
In the box below, please write anything else that would help us better understand
your view on the issues raised in this survey.