An ecologist hypothesizes that predation by a particular owl species is the major factor controlling the population of a particular rabbit species. The first step in testing this hypothesis would be to determine

The correct answer is - whether owl eats the rabbits.

Explanation:

A hypothesis is a proposed answer for an unexplained event that doesn't fit into the current acknowledged logical hypothesis. The essential thought of a hypothesis is that there is no pre-decided result.

The Hypothesis can be proved or disproved by scientific research that has various steps but initiailly testing the hypothesis is essential:

- Making assumptions.

- Stating the research and null hypotheses

- Selecting the sampling pattern and specifying the test statistic.

- calculating the test statistic.

-Making a decision and interpreting the results.

Thus, the first step after forming a hypothesis is to check or test the hypothesis which is null hypothesis -whether owl eats the rabbits.

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