Draft Hypothesis and Design:
1. Propose a hypothesis for the question.
2. Assume that you have sufficient resources, facilities, time, cooperation and manpower to conduct an investigation. Design an experiment to collect data relevant to your hypothesis. This means that you have lots of flexibility to come up with a design. It doesn't have to be absolutely realistic. The main goal here is not to actually do the experiment, but to demonstrate your understanding of how to design a good valid experiment.
For example, suppose the selected question was "Is it true animals can sense earthquakes?" Assume that you have a lot of time, a lot of money and space, and that you can buy whatever you need such as:
Many animals (that you can treat humanely...think PETA)
Facilities that can house the animals (where would you locate these facilities?...perhaps where earthquakes occur more frequently? Feel free to have multiple locations...you got a big $$$ grant)
How long do you need to conduct this experiment? You do not have to still be alive ...you can design the experiment and have it go on for whatever timeframe needed...days, weeks, months, years, centuries? Literature research can give you an idea of good locations and how often earthquakes occur and at what magnitude. You have the basis for a great design. Open up to the possibilities. Do Literature research to answer content questions...etc.
Note: This assignment requires a design that would generate some quantitative data.
3. Suggest what the data might look like if you conducted your experiment? Use numbers and at least one graph in your descriptions.
a. What would the data look like if it were to support your hypothesis? In this case, what would your conclusion be?
b. What would the data look like if it were to conflict with your hypothesis? In this case, what would your conclusion be?
Submit this assignment as a document to the Assignments Folder. Your instructor will review this draft and if needed, provide direction for follow up or pose additional questions.