The history of science knows scores of instances where an investigator was in the possession of all the important facts for a new theory but simply failed to ask the right questions.
Ernst Mayr

The Research Question we will pursue for this guided research:

Some species of tardigrades live on and feed on lichens. If the percent coverage of lichen on a tree is higher than will the density and diversity of tardigrades also be higher?

So how did we come up this this research question?

Science depends on several assumptions about our universe; such as the universe has regular patterns that human beings can comprehend. Theories are the tentative explanations of our understanding of these patterns and how phenomena may operate in the universe. The pursuit of understanding requires that the researcher acquire and foster certain attitudes; such as questioning, disciplined curiosity, open-mindedness, with-holding judgment, respect for evidence balanced with skepticism, intellectual honesty, a sense of responsibility, and an understanding of one's competence and limitations.

Before planning an investigation, the researcher first recognizes a question or a problem to be studied. Although questions need not be derived from a theory, theories often guide researchers in predicting events or outcomes of research which ultimately support or deny the explanation. You have spent time investigating lichens or tardigrades and you are ready to state a problem in a more formal manner. Questions about observable events related to lichens are the basis of our work.

Research Ideas

Some interesting research area about lichen coverage and the tardigrades living on them would include:
• The effects of humidity, temperature, clouds, moisture, or solar radiation on lichen coverage.
• Determination of seasonal activity cycle of lichens.
• The pH of the substrate the lichen is growing on the distribution of species.
• The pattern of lichen distribution around an SO₂ source.
• Topographic and vegetation differences referred to as "land use" and the percent coverage of lichen on area trees.

  As you have reviewed the information and worked with lichens and tardigrades, you may have come up with some of your own ideas for research. Your ideas should be added to the growing list of ideas below. These ideas can also grow into research questions. Click on a link to read additional research areas submitted by others or respond to a previous research question posted here.
  You may type a new research idea and your comments in the boxes below. ERROR:
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