Overall the process of collecting data has been going well. I have gone out to collect data for my research project on a couple of occasions but will return again now that I have made changes to my research project which will be discussed here. I have visited the research site once since the change in the research project. During this visit, I did take measurements of moss abundance but rather looked to see if there were any noticeable patterns in the different treatment types. Currently, the main pattern observed is that there is increased moss growth on the portion of the trail along the river when compared with the upper portion of the trail. However, I will not continue returning to the site to collect further data as there will be no changes in the data collected as I am observing moss growth which of course is not visible throughout such a short period of time. Hence, there will be no replications.
After writing my experimental design for the small assignments in module 6 and receiving detailed feedback I have decided to make some changes to my original study to improve it. I will now have only one hypothesis rather than two. My new hypothesis is: The location of the dead tree will influence the abundance of moss growth. The Prediction is that “the dead trees near the river will have the most abundant moss growth”. The Null Hypothesis is that “there is no relationship between the location of the dead trees and the abundance of moss growth”. The response variable would still be the abundance of moss growth. This would be a continuous variable. The explanatory variable would now be the location of the dead trees, including trees on the upper portion of the trail and lower portions of the trail. This is a categorical variable. Since my response variable is continuous and my predictor variables are categorical I will still be using an ANOVA experimental design. There will be two distinct habitat/ treatment types. The habitat types will differ in regard to levels of forest coverage, differences in elevation, and differences in surrounding settings. This will provide measurable response variables in some biological aspects. On the two different habitat types, there will be 14 transactions each, so 14×2, for a total of 28. The transaction plots will be located approximately every 100 meters. The project will focus on one specific moss species. The measurements will be collected in mm. In my research, I will discuss possible confounding variables, and discuss possible further studies to test further differences. Although clear changes have been made the overall design of the study does not change as the same transects will be used, the same data collection methods will be used, the use randomization will be obtained, there is the same sample placement, and so forth.
Hi, I am back from mat leave and taking over from Nancy. I have looked through your previous posts and small assignments. I think the changes you are proposing here make sense and allow for a simplified design that will be easier to interpret. Are you recording the species of dead tree out of interest? You mention transactions, I’m guessing you mean transects and how long will they be and how will you choose dead trees along them? You mention recording moss on the trunk of the tree, I’m guessing up to a certain height? These are all details to consider for including in your final paper.