Answer: Option (a) is correct
Explanation:
In a particular field of study, the collective opinion, judgement or outlook of a number of scientists or people is known as scientific consensus.
Therefore, the statement it represents the beliefs of most scientists is true about scientific consensus.
Scientific consensus is not the only way to prove a theory or law as it is only the collective judgement about a particular study. There might be other ways to prove the study. Hence, option (b) is not correct.
This collective judgement is not necessary to prove that a theory is true as there are number of theories on which there is no collective judgement of scientists. Hence, option (c) is not correct.
The interpretations are verified by going through the information provided. Hence, it is not necessary that scientific consensus is an assurance that the interpretations of a study are correct. Therefore, Hence, option (d) is not correct.
A research is the outcome of several experiments done by a scientist or a group of scientists that is not the collective judgement of number of scientists. Hence, option (e) is not correct.
Thus, it can be concluded that option (a) is correct that is the statement that scientific consensus represents the beliefs of most scientists.
