Overall I thought my design was good; however, there are a few things I would’ve done differently:
Site Selection and Diversity
- Increased Sites: Expanding the number of study sites could provide a more comprehensive understanding of bumblebee preferences across different environments and reduce the risk of site-specific biases.
- Greater Environmental Variation: Including sites with a broader range of environmental conditions (e.g., varying vegetation types and climates) could offer insights into how environmental factors interact with flower colour preferences.
Standardization of Conditions
- Consistent Flower Placement: Ensuring that flowers are placed at similar heights and under similar light conditions.
- Controlled Flower Attributes: Using flowers of similar size, shape, and scent could help isolate the effect of colour on bumblebee preferences
Sampling Frequency and Duration
- Increased Observation Sessions: Conducting more frequent observation sessions or extending the duration of each session could provide a more detailed understanding of bumblebee behaviour and preferences over different times of day and weather conditions.
- Longer Study Period: Extending the study duration over multiple seasons or years could reveal how bumblebee preferences might change with seasonal variations or floral availability.