What is the sample size in this experiment?
How can you tell what the sample size is in this case?
A team of researchers observed that the acorn density of the oak forests in New York fluctuates from year to year and that mice populations in the forest were increased when the acorn density was high (Jones, Ostfeld and Wolff, 1996). These researchers asked, "If there are more acorns and mice in the forest, will there be a higher density of ticks that carry Lyme Disease?" They hypothesized that the number of ticks carrying Lyme disease would be high when acorn density in the forest was high.
To test their hypothesis, the researchers studied six unfenced oak forest plots in New York. Mice were initially removed from each plot by trapping. Four tons of acorns were added to three of the plots (with the help of some local girl scouts!). The remaining three plots did not receive acorns. Ticks were collected in 225 sections (15m X 30m) in each plot, and were identified and counted. The number of mice in each plot was counted also.
I'm also really lost on determining the number of replicates here? Would 3 be correct? Any help at all is really appreciated. Not sure why I'm struggling with this.
The sample size in this experiment is not explicitly stated in the given information. However, to determine the sample size, you can look at the number of sections (15m X 30m) in each plot where ticks were collected. It is mentioned that ticks were collected in 225 sections in each plot. Therefore, the sample size would be 225 sections per plot.
As for the number of replicates, in this case, there are a total of six unfenced oak forest plots in New York. Three of these plots received four tons of acorns, while the remaining three plots did not receive any acorns. Each plot can be considered as a replicate. Therefore, the number of replicates in this experiment is six.
In summary:
- Sample size: 225 sections per plot
- Number of replicates: Six plots