LS1

Scientific Method Lab Assignment Summer 2015

Your assignment for this portion of the demonstration is to determine whether each
squirrel species that you observed exhibits a random application of snake scent. Use your
observations and the data you collected to answer the following questions. While you
worked in groups for this assignment, what you turn in for a grade must be written in your
own words.

Introduction
Briefly describe the broader context for what we were doing in lab. What is the overall
significance? Why compare snake scent application (SSA) patterns within squirrel species?















Your hypothesis is your proposed explanation of the behavior. The prediction is the logical
outcome of your hypothesis. For example, if S. beecheyi males use snake scent to attract
mates, then we should only see males apply the snake scent. Note that there are other
predictions from this hypothesis that could be tested with other experiments, such as if S.
beecheyi males use scent to attract mates, then we should only observe them applying it
during mating season.

What hypotheses and predictions did you test?

Hypothesis:



Null Hypothesis:



Predictions:

Methods
Did you do anything that was not included in the lab handout? (For example, did you also
measure time duration of snake scent application as well as frequency? If so, how did you
do this?)



How would you improve your methods if you did this experiment again?






Results

Table 1. Chi-Square results for S. beecheyi

Flank
Head
Front Leg Hind Leg
Tail
Total
Expected






Observed






o-e






2
(o-e)






(o-e)2/e






Chi-squared value =

Degrees of freedom = ________________________

Do you accept or reject your null hypothesis at the 0.05 confidence level? ___________________

Do you accept or reject your null hypothesis at the 0.01 confidence level? ___________________

Table 2. Chi-Square results for S. variegatus

Flank
Head
Front Leg Hind Leg
Tail
Total
Expected






Observed






o-e






2
(o-e)






(o-e)2/e






Chi-squared value =

Degrees of freedom = ________________________

Do you accept or reject your null hypothesis at the 0.05 confidence level? ____________________

Do you accept or reject your null hypothesis at the 0.01 confidence level? ____________________

Discussion
Were your hypotheses and predictions supported? Why or why not?






Interpret your results (i.e. why do you think we observed these patterns?).











Were there any deviations from or problems with the methods that could have contributed
to these results?









Based on your raw data do you see any differences between species? What might explain
these differences, if any, that you observed?

How might you test hypotheses about different species?

Can a study on just one or two species of squirrel be conclusive about all squirrel species?
Explain your reasoning.










Give one suggestion for future studies. For example, how could we design a better study to
investigate whether SSA is affected by other factors (e.g. mating preferences)?