Designing Your Own Study
Are you planning a study or working on a science fair project? Check out these videos from several Forest Service scientists! Each scientist discusses their research project while also giving tips and tricks on developing a testable question, planning to test your question, analyzing your data, and explaining it all to a variety of audiences. These videos are amazing resources for learning more about the research process. We have also created a lesson plan and graphic organizer to pair with these resources.
Marla Emery - Geographer
Dr. Emery started with a broad curiosity about how individuals use and value forests. Learn more about how she developed and researched her study on how people gather and forage in urban and rural landscapes.
Developing a Testable Question with Marla Emery USDA Forest Service (1/4)
Planning to Test Your Question with Marla Emery USDA Forest Service (2/4)
Analyzing and Understanding Your Data with Marla Emery USDA Forest Service (3/4)
Explaining it All with Marla Emery USDA Forest Service (4/4)
Keith Aubry - Wildlife Biologist
Dr. Aubry focuses his research on carnivores, and in this study wolverines. Learn more about how he was able to conduct research on wild animals using photo traps.
Developing a Testable Question with Keith Aubry USDA Forest Service (1/4)
Planning to Test Your Question with Keith Aubry USDA Forest Service (2/4)
Analyzing and Understanding Your Data with Keith Aubry USDA Forest Service (3/4)
Explaining it All with Keith Aubry USDA Forest Service (4/4)
Rima Lucardi - Plant, Molecular, & Invasion Ecologist
Dr. Lucardi’s study focuses on invasive plants. She examines the plant’s genetics to determine what makes a weed a weed.
Developing a Testable Question with Rima Lucardi USDA Forest Service (1/4)
Planning to Test Your Question with Rima Lucardi USDA Forest Service (2/4)
Analyzing and Understanding Your Data with Rima Lucardi USDA Forest Service (3/4)
Explaining It All with Rima Lucardi USDA Forest Service (4/4)
Scott Horn - Entomologist
Dr. Scott Horn was interested in how non-native plants effect native pollinators. Learn more about his study on Chinese privet and how you can use observations to develop research questions.
Developing a Testable Question with Scott Horn USDA Forest Service (1/4)
Planning to Test Your Question with Scott Horn USDA Forest Service (2/4)
Analyzing and Understanding Your Data with Scott Horn USDA Forest Service (3/4)
Explaining It All with Scott Horn USDA Forest Service (4/4)
Rebecca Flitcroft - Biologist, Ichthyologist
Dr. Rebecca Flitcroft research focused on salmon and their habitats. Learn more about the life cycle of salmon and the needs of fish in freshwater streams.
Developing a Testable Question with Rebecca Flitcroft USDA Forest Service (1/4)
Planning to Test Your Question with Rebecca Flitcroft USDA Forest Service (2/4)
Analyzing and Understanding Your Data with Rebecca Flitcroft USDA Forest Service (3/4)
Explaining It All with Rebecca Flitcroft USDA Forest Service (4/4)
Sam Zelinka -Research Materials Engineer
Sam Zelinka was interested in making wood products last longer. His study focuses on learning more about how water interacts with wood, how water moves in wood, where it goes, and how water ultimately changes wood.
Developing a Testable Question with Sam Zelinka USDA Forest Service (1/4)
Planning to Test Your Question with Sam Zelinka USDA Forest Service (2/4)
Analyzing and Understanding Your Data with Sam Zelinka USDA Forest Service (3/4)
Explaining It All with Sam Zelinka USDA Forest Service (4/4)
Lindsey Rustad - Forest Ecologist
Dr. Lindsey Rustad was interested in the resiliency of forests to a changing climate. Her study focuses on the impacts of extreme weather events, like ice storms, on forests.
Developing a Testable Question with Lindsey Rustad USDA Forest Service (1/4)
Planning to Test Your Question with Lindsey Rustad USDA Forest Service (2/4)
Analyzing and Testing Your Data with Lindsey Rustad USDA Forest Service (3/4)
Explaining It All with Lindsey Rustad USDA Forest Service (4/4)
Ariel Lugo - Tropical Ecologist
Dr. Ariel Lugo study focuses on how tropical forests have changed as a result of human impacts. Learn more about long-term research studies and comparative analysis.
Developing a Testable Question with Ariel Lugo USDA Forest Service (1/4)
Planning to Test Your Question with Ariel Lugo USDA Forest Service (2/4)
Analyzing and Understanding Your Data with Ariel Lugo USDA Forest Service (3/4)
Explaining It All with Ariel Lugo USDA Forest Service (4/4)
Richard MacKenzie - Aquatic Ecologist
Dr. Richard MacKenzie was interested in how invasive species affect native fish. Learn more about habitats in the Pacific islands and the ways they are affected by climate and non-native species.
Developing a Testable Question with Richard MacKenzie USDA Forest Service (1/4)
Planning to Test Your Question with Richard MacKenzie USDA Forest Service (2/4)
Analyzing and Understanding Your Data with Richard MacKenzie USDA Forest Service (3/4)
Explaining It All with Richard MacKenzie USDA Forest Service (4/4)
Additional Videos
Paulette Ford - Research Ecologist
Dr. Paulette Ford’s research focuses on observing prairie dogs that are invading areas after a wildfire. Although this video series does not follow the format of the videos above, it still has great information about experimental research and the scientific method.
Developing a Testable Question with Paulette Ford USDA Forest Service (1/2)
