Data Analysis

Now that you have collected the data, you need to determine what it means. Discuss with your classmates how the data from 1993 compares with the data from 1997.

Focus Questions:

1. What lives in the area where you made your observations? How does this area compare to other teams' areas?
2. How do the two data sets compare? What do you think might be the reason for the differences, if any?
3. Compare this method of data collecting to collecting the same kind of data in the field. Which do you think is more accurate? Why?
4. If scientists can use this method to collect data on coral reefs, would there ever be a reason to collect data as they swim the reef rather than use photographs as you did in this investigation?
5. How would you describe or evaluate the health of the reef?

Summarize your discussion in a paragraph or two and put it in your journal.