User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
For my research study I am deciding to focus on vegetative bud formation on wild rose plants. I have observed that taller rose plants appear to have long stems with no vegetative buds forming until the upper portion of the plant. The density of the vegetative buds at the upper regions of the plants appear to be consistent regardless of the height of the plant and how long the barren stem is below the buds.
More specifically, I will be measuring the distance from the tip of rose plants to the first, third, fifth, tenth, and lowest bud on the stem. I will take measurements from many individual plants, each of which will be measured to determine the height of the plants. I will take measurement from non-branched plants ranging from under 50 centimeters to over 2 meters. I will then try to determine if there any observable trends relating the distance from plant tip to vegetative buds to the height of the plant.
My hypothesis for this study is: For wild rose plants in Queen Elizabeth Park, there is an optimal distance from the tip of the plant to vegetative buds, regardless of plant height.
My prediction: Once rose plants reach a certain height the lower section of the stem remains bare. The density of vegetative buds will be the same in the upper regions of short and tall rose plants.
The response variable: distance from tip of plant to the first, third, fifth, tenth, and lowest vegetative bud on the stem. (continuous)
The predictor variable: height of the plant (continuous). In my study I will trying to prove that the height of the plant is not the most important factor in determining the location of the vegetative buds on rose plants.
A regression study would be appropriate for this study as both the response and predictor variables are continuous.
What an interesting study! You’ve outlined an appropriate response and predictor variable. Will you be testing this hypothesis on a specific variety of rose, or all roses within Queen Elizabeth Park?