ZOL3702
ASSIGNMENT 1 2025
UNIQUE NO. 218877
DUE DATE: 25 MAY 2025
, ZOL3702
Assignment 1 2025
Unique Number: 218877
Due Date: 25 May 2025
Ecology
QUESTION 1
Occam’s Razor is a principle used in science and philosophy which suggests that when
faced with multiple explanations for a phenomenon, the simplest one is usually the best.
It means that unnecessary assumptions should be avoided and that we should not
make things more complicated than they need to be. In ecological research, this
principle encourages scientists to choose explanations that require the fewest
assumptions while still fitting the observed data.
QUESTION 2
[12 Marks]
Suppose you have gathered data on the relationship between the availability of a food
source for an animal and the number of animals present. The equation describing this
is:
y = 0.5x + 10,
where y is the number of animals and x is the food availability (units).
ASSIGNMENT 1 2025
UNIQUE NO. 218877
DUE DATE: 25 MAY 2025
, ZOL3702
Assignment 1 2025
Unique Number: 218877
Due Date: 25 May 2025
Ecology
QUESTION 1
Occam’s Razor is a principle used in science and philosophy which suggests that when
faced with multiple explanations for a phenomenon, the simplest one is usually the best.
It means that unnecessary assumptions should be avoided and that we should not
make things more complicated than they need to be. In ecological research, this
principle encourages scientists to choose explanations that require the fewest
assumptions while still fitting the observed data.
QUESTION 2
[12 Marks]
Suppose you have gathered data on the relationship between the availability of a food
source for an animal and the number of animals present. The equation describing this
is:
y = 0.5x + 10,
where y is the number of animals and x is the food availability (units).
