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Lab 1 Assignment - Freshwater Plankton Ecology

The document presents an experimental question regarding the variation in phytoplankton abundance between Paramecium pond and Paintshop pond during the summer of 2016. It includes data collection methods, a figure caption detailing mean and standard deviation of phytoplankton populations, and reflections on the assignment process. The author expresses interest in the experimental questions but acknowledges challenges with technical aspects of the assignment.

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28 views3 pages

Lab 1 Assignment - Freshwater Plankton Ecology

The document presents an experimental question regarding the variation in phytoplankton abundance between Paramecium pond and Paintshop pond during the summer of 2016. It includes data collection methods, a figure caption detailing mean and standard deviation of phytoplankton populations, and reflections on the assignment process. The author expresses interest in the experimental questions but acknowledges challenges with technical aspects of the assignment.

Uploaded by

sm133
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Simone Marshall-Chafee

BISC 113Y
Tuesday September 19, 2023

Experimental Question:

How did the abundance of phytoplankton vary between Paramecium pond and Paintshop pond in the
summer of 2016?
https://wellesley-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/sm133_wellesley_edu/EUgFivs2ctVCsIYcJSjJ8GIBB
roFxQo3wWToxaMLGFCLxQ?e=fxkgzu

Figure Caption:
Mean and standard deviation of the phytoplankton populations in Paramecium and Paintshop pond. Data
was collected through a series of 8 tests which calculated the Phytoplankton found per liter of water. The
mean and standard deviation were then calculated and put in a comprehensive table.

Curiosity Questions:
1) I would say that there is a pretty significant difference between Paintshop pond and Paramecium
Pond. Why is there a difference, is it linked to the surrounding area, human inhabitants?
Freshwater Plankton Ecology: Self Review

Generate an Experimental Question to compare data

yes no Not at first, but I


went back to fix it

Does your question compare two or more sets of data? yes

Is the dependent variable quantitative (measured in numbers)? yes

Make a graph/figure comparing your sets of data

yes no Not at first, but I


went back to fix it

Did you graph the mean of each set of data? yes

Did you include custom error bars to show standard deviation? yes

Are both axes labeled, including units where necessary? yes

Write an appropriate caption for the figure

yes no Not at first, but I


went back to fix it

Does your title accurately explain the data included in the figure? yes

Does the caption briefly but thoroughly describe how the data were yes
collected, including number of replicates (n=?) ?

Does the caption identify symbols, colors, error bars, or abbreviations used yes
in the figure?

Does the caption refrain from describing the actual data in the figure? yes
Self reflection:
● Which part of the assignment did you do the best on? Which did you struggle the most with?
○ For me personally, I think a lot of the technical pieces were difficult to figure out.
However I do think that with practice they will become easier and easier. I really enjoyed
brainstorming and thinking about both the experimental and curiosity questions as they
were genuinely interesting and launched my thinking.
● What can you do to improve on the most difficult aspect of your work for the next time around?
○ Just taking it slow and also making sure that I know exactly what I need to do myself and
what sites can help me with. Having the most information possible so the technical pieces
are not too overwhelming.

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