Scientific Method

The Scientific Method

I want to share with you how the scientific method works for our team. Yes you heard me correctly, real scientists do perform the scientific method and it isn't something we do in school just for fun!

Observation:

1. Climates are becoming less predictable due to more extreme weather events.

2. In places where it is hard to predict the amount of rain from one year to the next, there are fewer parasitoids.

Hypothesis: If hurricanes (extreme weather events) mean that an environment is less predictable then we would expect to find fewer parasitoids in areas with lots of hurricane damage.

Method: Assessment and collection of plants, caterpillars and parasitoids. Then taking field specimens back to the lab and observing their life cycle changes.

Analyzing Data: Locally, comparing assessments between sites of different levels of damage. Globally, comparing the assessments done at the New Orleans site with other sites (Equador, California-Great Basin, Costa Rica, Arizona).

Conclusion: We haven't formulated a conclusion yet because we are still in the process of collecting and analyzing data. Stay tuned!