ENV 250 Module One Homework
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Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi *
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101
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Mathematics
Date
Feb 20, 2024
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docx
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Sierra Rivers
ENV 250 Module One Homework
Instructions:
For this assignment, you will construct hypotheses based on a given observation and determine if a given scenario is using deductive or inductive reasoning. For each problem below, please address the prompt and explain your reasoning.
1.
Kelly has two ponds on her farm. Around one pond, she sprayed diazinon, a common pesticide, to get rid of ants. A week later she noticed that the tadpoles in the pond she sprayed diazinon around appear smaller in size than the tadpoles in the other pond where she did not spray. Using the scenario above, write a specific, testable research hypothesis and null hypothesis for Kelly’s observation. Justify your reasoning. a.
In this scenario, Kelly has noticed a size difference between two groups of tadpoles in two separate ponds. Based off the information provided, H
0 is reported as there is no substantial difference in the size of tadpoles between the pond where diazinon was sprayed and the pond where no pesticide was applied. H
1 is reported as if Kelly spraying
diazinon around the pond influences tadpole size, then the tadpoles in the sprayed pond
will be smaller in size compared to the tadpoles in the pond not sprayed.
b.
H
1 suggests an expected outcome solely based on Kelly’s observation. This hypothesis is testable and can be measured and compared through statistical analysis of recording the differences in size between both groups of tadpoles over time. H
0 provides the alternative perspective, suggesting that there is no difference in tadpole size between the two ponds. This serves as the default assumption to be tested against the research hypothesis. Kelly can record the data on tadpole size from both ponds and determine whether any observed differences are statistically significant.
2.
Dr. Ramirez noted that many of his patients with lung cancer all work in the same coal mine. He wonders if chronic exposure to coal dust causes cancer. Write a specific, testable research hypothesis and null hypothesis for Dr. Ramirez’s question. Justify your reasoning. a.
In this scenario, Dr. Ramirez wishes to test his theory on the results of chronic exposure to coal dust. Based on the observations Dr. Ramirez has made, H
0 is reported as there is no statistically significant association between chronic exposure to coal dust and the incidence of lung cancer among individuals working in the coal mine. H
1 is reported as if chronic exposure to coal dust causes lung cancer, then there will be a significant increase in the incidence of lung cancer among individuals working in a coal mine.
b.
H
1 proposes a specific relationship between chronic exposure to coal dust and an increased risk of lung cancer. H
1 is testable through the collection of data on individuals who have worked and are currently working in the col mine, their levels of exposure to coal dust, and the occurrence of lung cancer. Statistical analysis and observations can then determine the correlation if any. H
0 provides an alternative perspective, stating that there is no correlation and can serve as the default assumption to be tested against the research hypothesis. Dr. Ramirez can conduct epidemiological studies and gather
relevant data and record analyzations to test whether the correlation between overexposure to coal dust and lung cancer is apparent.
3.
Jackie observed that most of the houses in her neighborhood did not set out recycling cans on trash pick-up day. She wondered if the lack of participation was due to apathy and decided to conduct a formal survey. Write a specific, testable research hypothesis and null hypothesis for Jackie’s observation. Justify your reasoning. a.
Based on the information presented through Jackie’s observation of a decrease in recycling practices within her neighborhood: H
1 is reported as if Jackie conducts a formal survey to assess the reasons behind the lack of participation in recycling practices, then she will find that the primary cause is apathy among residents. Meanwhile, H
0 is the alternative perspective as there is no significant relationship between apathy and the lack of participation in recycling practices among households within Jackie’s neighborhood.
b.
Jackie can use her survey to collect data on residents’ attitudes towards recycling and their actual recycling behaviors. H
1 is testable by designing a survey that measures both the level of apathy and the extent of recycling participation among households in the neighborhood. However, the survey can only suggest apathy levels toward the tested subject of recycling practices and relevant subjects. Introducing new subjects to question levels of apathy to compare against recycling practices could produce inaccurate studies and result in unclear statistics. Human emotion, while able to produce statistical data, can be difficult to test as to not ensure researcher bias.
4.
All ducks fly south for the winter. A mallard is a type of duck. Therefore, mallards fly south for the winter. What type of logic is represented in the duck scenario? What is the main caveat for this type of logic? Justify your reasoning. a.
The type of logic represented in the duck scenario is inductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning involves generalizing based on specific observations or evidence. In this case, the observation is “all ducks fly south for winter”. The generalization is extended to include mallards as a type of duck, implying that mallards also fly south for the winter.
b.
The main caveat for inductive reasoning is that the conclusion is not necessarily guaranteed to be true, there is a possibility that there may be exceptions or that the conclusion does not hold in all cases. The idea that if a specific pattern holds in a set of observations, it might apply more broadly. However, it does not provide certainty.
5.
Chinook, Coho, and sockeye salmon return to the stream where they were hatched to spawn. Therefore, all salmon return to the stream where they were hatched to spawn. What type of logic is represented in the salmon scenario? What is the main caveat for this type of logic? Justify your reasoning. a.
The type of logic represented in the salmon scenario is induction reasoning. Much like the duck scenario, the conclusion presented is one based off general observations and not a guaranteed confirmation. The generalization was the inclusion of all salmon having
the same behavior as the salmon presented (Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye) to returning to the stream they were hatched. While inductive reasoning can be a useful method for forming hypotheses or predictions, it does not provide absolute certainty. The conclusion for these specific salmon might not be universally applicable to all salmon.
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