ABI 50A Final

Question 1: 1) Make an observation 2) Form a hypothesis and null hypothesis based on the
observation. 3) Create an experiment based on your hypothesis that can falsify your hypothesis.

Question 2) Outline:

Abstract:
 Short form of results and implications of research

Background:

 Includes relevant info about the research and why you formed your hypothesis

Materials and methods:

 Includes descriptions of what was used to collect data.

 Includes descriptions of how the data was collected

Results:

 Includes in depth results and type of test used to determine statistical

significance.
 Make sure to include the key values obtained through statistical test.

Discussion:

 Includes a deep look into the implications of research and the next steps for
future research.
 Also include logical caveats for the experiment and how to improve it if ran
again.

Acknowledgments:

 Give thanks to all people included in your experiment aside from yourself

Figures:

 Includes figures obtained from results section

References:
  A bibliography of all works referenced in your study

Question 3: H1: Increased human activity near flowering plants disrupts insect presence and
reduces pollination

H0: Human activity has no bearing on insect behavior with regards to pollination of flowering
plants.

Question 4: The data to be collected is the number of flowers that received pollen during tour
times. Since we want to know if human activity disrupts a pollinator’s ability to visit a flower,
we need to investigate how many flowers were visited during the time the tours would take
place. Data should be collected from flowering plants near a path that humans travel near and
from a flowering plant that located away from those paths for a control.

Question 5: The independent variable will be a continuous data set in the form of “tours” run
each day. While the dependent variable will be a categorical data set in the form of pollen grain
presence on flowers. Because we have a continious independent and categorical dependent the
statistical test to be used will be a logistical regression.

Question 6: If after running several test tours, the number of pollinated or visited flowers drops
significantly near the human paths we would likely suggest new routes or to change the time of
the tours. If there is no statistical difference in visitation between the control group and those
experimental groups, then no change in tour routes is necessary.

Question 7: This experiment will allow us to determine if human presence disrupts insect
behavior with regards to pollination. However, several factors should be kept in mind for the
experiment. If the plants in the control and experimental group are too far apart data could be
skewed as insects could preferentially visit one that’s closer. If the flowering plants do not have
similar amounts of flowers, then insects could develop a preference for the plants that have
more flowers. If data is collected during a time when insects are least active then data could be
skewed making it appear as if humans have a greater effect than they actually do.