The correct response is: Compare the growth rates of avocado trees exposed to varying amounts of sunlight over several weeks.
Why this is the correct answer:
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Experimental Design: This option involves a controlled experiment where the growth rates of avocado trees can be directly compared under different sunlight exposure conditions. By varying the amount of sunlight each tree receives, the student can isolate the effect of sunlight on growth.
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Longitudinal Measurement: By measuring the growth over several weeks rather than just once, the student can observe trends and gather more significant data. This allows the student to identify if increased sunlight consistently correlates with accelerated growth.
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Controlled Variables: If the student keeps other factors (like water, soil type, and nutrients) consistent while varying only the amount of sunlight, they can make a more accurate assessment of sunlight’s effect on growth.
The other options are less effective for testing the hypothesis:
- Measuring height once after one day does not provide adequate time to observe growth and is not scientifically rigorous.
- Reading articles can provide background information but does not test the hypothesis directly. It’s more of a literature review than an experimental approach.
- Recording temperature and humidity provides useful environmental context but does not directly test the effect of sunlight on growth. It may help interpret results, but alone, it will not test the hypothesis.
In summary, comparing the growth rates of trees exposed to different levels of sunlight over several weeks provides a solid experimental framework to test the hypothesis.