07 Jul Reading a scientific paper

Part 2.   Answer these questions form the reading.

1. Read the abstract What is the main thesis of their argument?
2. Where was this study done and how many field sites were there?
3. What is the main point of figure 2?
4. What is the main point of fig. 3
5. What is the main point of fig 4.
6. Do you think the evidence sufficiently supports their conclusion?
7. Is there another possible explanation for the pattern in their data, and if so, what is it?
8. What does this have to do with global warming?

Part 3. How would you test this hypothesis near where you live?

Design a sampling scheme to test this hypothesis in your area.  Locate an urban site and a natural site nearby where you live and what things your would measure – it does not have to be all the things in this paper, for example, you could just catch crickets and measure them.  How many would you have to catch to be a real test of the hypothesis? How long do you think it would take you to do this study?

Range within Los Angeles would be the best. 

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