Pre-Lab Quiz 1: Nature of Science

You want to test the hypothesis that there are more crabs on rocky areas on the beach as compared to sandy areas. This is an example of ___________ experiment:

a. hypothetical
b. natural
c. manipulative
d. systematic

b. natural

In the crab experiment described in Q1 above, the predictor variable would be:

a. number of crabs
b. age of crabs
c. type of substrate on the beach (rocky versus sandy)
d. level of rainfall on the beach during the time period this data was collected

c. type of substrate on the beach (rocky versus sandy)

Which of the following BEST describes a difference between a hypothesis and a prediction?

a. a hypothesis is a testable explanation of a scientific phenomenon: a prediction is a specific result you expect to find if your hypothesis is correct
b. a hypothesis is used for manipulative experiments; a prediction is used in natural experiments
c. a hypothesis describes relationships between variables; a prediction does not refer to variables
d. a hypothesis and prediction are the exact same thing

a. a hypothesis is a testable explanation of a scientific phenomenon: a prediction is a specific result you expect to find if your hypothesis is correct

Typically, ecological interactions between two different species are classified based on their effects on the ____ of the participants

a. fitness
b. trophic levels
c. niches
d. carbon footprint

a. fitness