Asking questions is difficult. These are tips that Research Fellows (other students who are working on the watershed) had about asking science questions. I have labeled them by the student. As we think of more, we may add to them!
Kelly:
Determine your methods, considering time, equipment, etc. Then, figure out what kinds of questions the data might help to answer. I always find that the question is the last thing to come. It is usually refined several times, always getting more and more specific.
Anja:
1) Be very specific. Don’t just say, “Do soil properties vary from one slope position to another?” Instead say something like, “Is infiltration at the soil surface higher on a toeslope than a backslope? How does this affect the rate of runoff on the slope?”
2) Try to pick something interesting to you
3) Is your question testable (is it too broad or too enormous in scope for you to measure)? Is it within your means to test it (will you have the equipment or the time to measure it)?
4) Try not to have too many variables. For example, if you’re testing between two sites, try to choose places that have similar characteristics, such as parent material and slope. Then have one variable, like vegetation (e.g. one site may be forested and another grassy), that may affect what you’re measuring. So, your question may be “Does surface sorptivity vary between forested soils and grassy soils?”
Mark:
From past experience, I would say to remember not to reach too far. Try to narrow your view from a wide range of questions down to one specific question. Then develop a question that you know you can answer with the data available to you or data that can be easily obtained in the amount of time that you have.