Criterion — Science definition

Defined in 5 courses:

Where it is taught

In use

A design that loses 12 degrees Celsius has met the criterion and further work on it is optional; a design that loses 31 degrees Celsius has not, and you now know by how much it fell short rather than only that it felt disappointing.

Thermal Design: Compare, Improve & Retest

A criterion is a statement of what the solution must achieve, expressed so that it can be measured — reduce runoff from this area by at least half during a rainfall event of this size.

Designing & Evaluating a Habitat Solution

A criterion is a feature used to judge success, such as keeping a model payload undamaged.

Designing & Revising a Collision Protector

Questions using criterion

Problem 1

Which statement correctly uses criterion in Thermal Design: Compare, Improve & Retest?
  1. A changed design can inherit the old design’s measured results without retesting.
  2. The largest performance result automatically wins regardless of constraints.
  3. criterion: A stated measure of desired success in a design problem.
  4. One illustrative result establishes every real condition and needs no further evidence.
Answer and explanation

criterion: A stated measure of desired success in a design problem.

A stated measure of desired success in a design problem. C has mean drop 6 °C and costs 3 tokens, meeting both stated conditions. D has mean 4 °C but exceeds the budget. Recommend C for this modeled problem, while noting its 5–7 °C spread and repeating to check consistency. A cheaper D variant would need its own fair test.

Problem 2

How is a criterion different from a constraint?
Answer and explanation

A criterion evaluates success; a constraint limits allowable options, such as a maximum budget or available area.

Problem 3

Illustrative plans within a 100-token budget: A costs 80 and reduces runoff from 20 to 8 L; B costs 60 and reduces it from 20 to 10 L. Both satisfy the same stated space requirement; later maintenance is unknown. Calculate reductions, compare reduction per token, and recommend a feasible option under an explicit criterion with a next test.
Answer and explanation

A provides the larger total reduction in the model, while B gives a slightly larger reduction per token. Both fit the initial budget. Either can be supported under an explicit priority, but maintenance, repeated performance, and real-setting transfer remain unknown. Recommend a matched repeated test and a maintenance estimate; fictional tokens are not actual prices.

A reduction: 12 L; B: 10 L.

A ratio: 12/80=0.15 L/token; B: 10/60≈0.167 L/token.

Choose using total reduction or cost efficiency and identify maintenance uncertainty.

Response criteria

  • Explain the relevant biological process accurately.
  • Use the supplied evidence and show calculation steps with units where needed.
  • Connect a labeled model or mechanism with the claim.
  • State an assumption, evidence limitation, or useful next observation.

Problem 4

A design must stay below 30 N in every trial. Its supplied results are 22, 24 and 35 N. Does a mean of 27 N establish that it meets the criterion? Explain a proper next step.
Answer and explanation

No. The 35 N trial fails the every-trial limit even though the mean is 27 N. Preserve the result, investigate variation, revise a mechanism and retest under matched conditions.

Read the criterion as every trial, not the mean.

Use all records before recommending a tested revision.

No. The 35 N trial fails the every-trial limit even though the mean is 27 N. Preserve the result, investigate variation, revise a mechanism and retest under matched conditions.

Response criteria

  • Use the named labels, directions or supplied quantities accurately.
  • Connect the visual evidence to the scientific mechanism or calculation.
  • State the relevant model conditions or limitation.

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