Biology Ecocolumn Project

Constructing an Hypothesis statement-How to set it up: The “IF..and..then..” format Causal question/Purpose What is the effect of excess product X on field, garden and woods ecosystems ? Proposed Explanation-Hypothesis, pt 1 If…. Product X is harmful only to weeds Planned test-hypothesis, pt 2 and…. it is added in normal vs. excess amounts to 2 different ecocolumns Expected result-hypothesis, pt 3 then… the column with excess product X

should have more weeds killed than the one with normal amounts; in the control all weeds should survive and in neither experimental column should there be any other adverse effects on other plants. All the animals should live in all 3 columns.

Biology Ecocolumn Project

(The following are examples of what might be seen at the end of the experiment) Observed Results/Analysis All plant types wilted in the excess column and all ants died. Only weeds died in the normal column

and all ants died. In the control, all plants lived and no ants died.

Conclusion- restate the “then” part of the hypothesis with the final answer

Excess of product X is harmful to all plant types, not

just weeds. Product X is harmful to ants even when used as directed. Product X, used as directed, will not hurt other plants.

Biology Ecocolumn Project

Sample Hypotheses

Read each of the following hypotheses – which one is the best wording to use based on the following problem being investigated: How does wind effect transpiration rates in begonias? What attributes make it the best choice? What is wrong with each of the other ones? Hypothesis A: The amount of air movement around begonias influences transpiration. Hypothesis B: I think that more wind will make plants lose water faster. Hypothesis C: Faster winds hurt begonias. Hypothesis D: If faster winds cause greater transpiration rates, and begonias are exposed to various speeds, then begonias exposed to faster wind will lose water faster than those exposed to lower winds. Hypothesis E: If it is windy, begonias will be okay because they are exposed to wind all the time. Hypothesis F. Transpiration rates will not have an effect on the growth of begonias.

Hypothesis G: If there are faster winds and begonias are exposed to them, then the begonias will lose leaves and they won’t be able to evaporate water as much.