Section 1: What Makes a Good Experiment? Understanding Experimental Design The birds in their experiment provide a compelling example of why replication is essential. Click Bird A on the right to see its data. Observe the Average Difference displayed to the right of the graph. This summary measure, derived from the dependent variable (average time for a bird to eat a seed, or foraging time), is calculated by subtracting each bird’s foraging time for spine-free cones from its foraging time for spinny cones. Q1.3. Based only on Bird A’s results, what is the average foraging time difference between cones with spines present and cones with no spines? _ seconds Check Answer Note: You can click a data point on any graph to see its precise value. Section 1: What Makes a Good Experiment? Understanding Experimental Design The birds in their experiment provide a compelling example of why replication is essential. Click Bird A on the right to see its data. Observe the Average Difference displayed to the right of the graph. This summary measure, derived from the dependent variable (average time for a bird to eat a seed, or foraging time), is calculated by subtracting each bird’s foraging time for spine-free cones from its foraging time for spinny cones. Q1.3. Based only on Bird A’s results, what is the average foraging time difference between cones with spines present and cones with no spines? _ seconds Check Answer Note: You can click a data point on any graph to see its precise value.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To provide the correct answer to Q1.3 — “Based only on Bird A’s results, what is the average foraging time difference between cones with spines and cones with no spines?” — you would need to click on Bird A’s data in the interactive activity, which is likely part of a virtual lab or learning module (such as HHMI Biointeractive or a similar platform). The exact numerical answer (in seconds) can only be determined by interacting with that platform and reading the “Average Difference” value displayed.
Since I can’t access the live interactive platform, I’ll guide you on how to find the answer and explain the reasoning behind the concept.
🧠 How to Find the Answer
- Click on Bird A in the interactive simulation.
- Look to the right of the graph for the “Average Difference” value.
- The value shown is:
Average Foraging Time (Spinny Cones) − Average Foraging Time (Spine-Free Cones)
This value tells you how much longer (or shorter) it took the bird to forage when spines were present.
📘 Explanation
This question illustrates an important principle in experimental design — the value of controlled comparison and replication. In this case, the researchers tested whether the presence of spines on cones affects the time it takes for birds to extract seeds, using individual birds as replicates.
Bird A’s data is one trial in this broader experiment. The dependent variable is foraging time, which is measured for both spinny and spine-free cones. The “Average Difference” quantifies how much the presence of spines slows down or speeds up the foraging process for this specific bird. A positive difference means spines made it harder; a negative difference would mean the bird did better with spines (unlikely, but possible due to variability).
This single result, however, is not enough to draw strong conclusions. That’s why replication is essential in experimental science. One bird might behave differently due to prior experience, motivation, or chance. But if most birds show a similar average difference (e.g., all take longer on spinny cones), we gain confidence that spines genuinely reduce foraging efficiency.
By comparing multiple birds, scientists can evaluate variation among individuals, reduce the influence of outliers, and strengthen the reliability of conclusions. Thus, the average foraging time difference for Bird A provides a data point — but replication gives us science.
If you provide a screenshot or tell me the Average Difference value shown next to Bird A’s graph, I can insert the exact numerical answer.
