Some studies have shown that peppermint odor increases people’s mental sharpness, especially when they solve math problems. Which best describes how this could be a valid scientific claim?

A scientific claim is supported when it can be tested under controlled conditions and produces consistent, repeatable results. Here, researchers could compare people’s performance with and without peppermint odor while controlling other factors, then repeat the study. This makes “if it is tested in a controlled setting with repeated results” the best choice; the scientist’s reputation or publishing the test on Wikipedia does not establish that the claim is valid.

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