A finding question about an experiment tests whether a result supports the researchers’ hypothesis. Put the hypothesis in a few words: what changes, and what should happen because of it? Then compare the groups to see which one gets more of what the researchers are testing. To support the hypothesis, the difference must follow the predicted direction in what the researchers measured. A result can describe a real change without linking it to the factor the researchers changed.
Hints
- Hint 1
Look in the first paragraph for the link between moonlight and hiding that the researchers propose.
- Hint 2
The screens block about 80% of the moonlight. Use that change in light to predict how the two surface counts should compare.
Step-by-step
Predict the surface counts
Step 1Turn the hypothesis into a prediction
The researchers think snails stay hidden when light levels are high because they're at greater risk from predators, so we need a result supporting that behavior. What should stronger moonlight do to the surface count? It should lower the number of visible snails.
- Step 2
Match the pens to the light levels
Which pen has the stronger moonlight? The covered pen uses screens that blocked about 80% of the moonlight, which makes it much darker than the uncovered pen. Both begin with equal numbers of snails, so a difference in surface counts can't be explained by putting more snails in one pen. The uncovered pen has the stronger moonlight.
- Step 3
Match the predicted counts
Which pen should have the higher surface count? More snails should surface in the darker, covered pen, because the hypothesis predicts more hiding in the brighter pen. The result with significantly more snails in the covered pen shows that pattern on all three nights. Choice D.