BIOL 2600 EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS VERIFIED LATEST UPDATE
What is ecology?
The study of interactions between organisms and their environment
Environmentalism
concern about and action aimed at protecting the environment
the scientific method
Observations of the world ➡️
Hypothesis ➡️
Testable Predictions ➡️
Experimental
design and data collection to test hypothesis➡️
Results and statistical evaluation
➡️
Accept hypothesis or Reject hypothesis
types of ecological studies
Observational studies ("natural" experiments)◦
Correlational◦ Comparative
Experimental studies◦
Field based◦ Lab based
Observational Studies
Correlational
◦ Examine whether variation in one set of variables is correlated with another set of
variables.
Comparative
, ◦ Take observations from different places or points in time to try to deduce patterns or
reconstruct process
Observational Studies Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
◦ Easy
◦ Less expensive than conducting experiments
Disadvantages
◦ Can not deduce mechanism (correlation ≠causation)
◦ Can not be replicated
◦ Observations may be confounded by other effects
Experimental Studies
Field or Lab
◦ Control for confounding effects◦ Follow the scientific method
◦ Adhere to rigorous standards for experimental design
Experimental Studies Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
◦ Better chance at deducing processes
◦ Can be replicated by other researchers
Disadvantages
◦ Lab experiments may not be "realistic"
◦ Results from field experiments in one location may not be readily extrapolated to other
locations
◦ Field experiments can be difficult to set up and control for confounding effects
SOLUTIONS VERIFIED LATEST UPDATE
What is ecology?
The study of interactions between organisms and their environment
Environmentalism
concern about and action aimed at protecting the environment
the scientific method
Observations of the world ➡️
Hypothesis ➡️
Testable Predictions ➡️
Experimental
design and data collection to test hypothesis➡️
Results and statistical evaluation
➡️
Accept hypothesis or Reject hypothesis
types of ecological studies
Observational studies ("natural" experiments)◦
Correlational◦ Comparative
Experimental studies◦
Field based◦ Lab based
Observational Studies
Correlational
◦ Examine whether variation in one set of variables is correlated with another set of
variables.
Comparative
, ◦ Take observations from different places or points in time to try to deduce patterns or
reconstruct process
Observational Studies Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
◦ Easy
◦ Less expensive than conducting experiments
Disadvantages
◦ Can not deduce mechanism (correlation ≠causation)
◦ Can not be replicated
◦ Observations may be confounded by other effects
Experimental Studies
Field or Lab
◦ Control for confounding effects◦ Follow the scientific method
◦ Adhere to rigorous standards for experimental design
Experimental Studies Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
◦ Better chance at deducing processes
◦ Can be replicated by other researchers
Disadvantages
◦ Lab experiments may not be "realistic"
◦ Results from field experiments in one location may not be readily extrapolated to other
locations
◦ Field experiments can be difficult to set up and control for confounding effects
