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.

  Formalizing your Research Question

  Your research question should evolve as you go through the research process. It is in the center of the V-diagram so that as you take each step of the process, you will revisit your question. This will focus your work, but it will also help you evaluate whether your question goes to the heart of what you want to know. The ideal question is one that will yield the most relevant and reliable information with the least expense and effort. To avoid designing experiments around uncertain or vague research questions, continue to gather as much information as possible, Background Information as a part of this guided research. This is usually is accomplished through library research by consulting the card catalog and any available journals or abstracts in the field of interest. Internet searches are also valuable but as always, evaluate the source of the information. Anyone who does not bother to review previous literature runs the risk of needlessly duplicating effort or mistakes. After you have done your information search you should revisit your research question and determine if changes need to be made.

  The Research 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 greater than will the density and diversity of tardigrades will also be greater.

  Notice that this is in the form of a statement. It makes the prediction of what we expect to observe, if our model is correct!