1. Science & Study Basics- Overview
Ecological Methodology
LEC-01a Althoff
Science & Study Basics- Overview
Scientific Method: HO vs. HA Types of Studies: Experimental vs Observational

2. EXPERIMENTAL
INTERPRETATION
ANALYSIS: Trends/Baseline
EVALUATION OF METHODS
INVENTORY & MONITORING

3. Scientific Method Observation(s) Question Hypothesis Test does _______
support hypothesis:
revise hypothesis or pose new one
Test does _______
hypothesis: make additional predictions and test them
Prediction
Test:
Experimental or
Additional
observation

4. Activity: Put these in proper order
Conclusion
Experiment
Hypothesis
Observation (question)
Theory

5. Some important terms
_______ = sample unit left as “normal” or untreated
_______ = sample unit that something “different” is done to it
_______ = assumes no bias due to human subjectivity
__________________ = independent variable
__________________ = dependent variable

6. Observational vs. Experimental Studies
Observational: no controls (usually), trying to determine basics, learn patterns, trends, characteristics
Experimental: control (usually), have basic knowledge of subject that enables one to “separate” into treatment groups

7. Hypothesis = null hypothesis….essentially says “no differences”
= alternative hypothesis….essentially says “found differences”…with statistical evidence to support that

8. Observational vs. Experimental Studies
Observational: generally summarize data using _____________ statistics
Experimental: determine if differences between treatments are “real” using _______________ statistics

9. Statistics
Descriptive statistics: central tendency: mean, median, mode spread: range, variance, standard deviation, standard error relationship: correlation (Pearson, Spearman)
Inferential statistics: parametric: t-test, F-test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), chi-squared non-parametric: sign test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Friedman test
Models: Akaikae Information Criterion (AIC), Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)

10. Quail Eggs: Does Size Matter?
Not all eggs laid are the same….can vary by: 1) weight/mass ) yolk composition (protein & lipid %)
3) albumen composition (protein & water %) 4) shell thickness

11. Quail Eggs: Key components3 2
Pre-incubation Mid-incubation

12. Quail Eggs: Does Size Matter?
Normally take days to hatch from start of incubation
Young born are __________…meaning they are “ready” to go (aka leave nest) within 6-24 hours after hatching
Eggs must be kept at oF (99.5 oF best) for the duration of the incubation period
3 ways for us to “check” on development: 1) _______ eggs (expect weight will decrease) 2) _______ eggs (expect air space to increase) 3) _______ eggs (expect “light”/”dark” areas)

13. Quail Eggs: Checking Egg Status
Weigh – using digital platform scale

14. Quail Eggs: Checking Egg Status
Float – in beaker of water
Sink Semi-float Float

15. Quail Eggs: Checking Egg Status
Candling

17. Placing in incubator with
The “Study” Design
Starting with eggs
Placing in incubator with
egg turner

18. Basics….
Overall, eggs pre-incubation weighed from ________________ grams
To have “clear separation” of small vs. large eggs, will consider only eggs weight g or less as _________ g or greater as ___________
Response variable: hatch within 24 hours of first hatch (= H24)
 _______ or less
____ or greater 

19. Hypothesis & Statistical Test
H0 - No difference in H24 between small and large eggs
HA - Difference in H24 between small and large eggs
Evaluate using Chi-Squared (X2)
Hatch in H24
Small eggs (<11.3)
(N = 28)
Large eggs (<12.4)
(N = 31)