Research Proposal

Sachi Rai
Independent Research
2014-2015
Research Title: Trapped on Ice Caps or Terrorizing Towns: How Peoples Views on Polar Bears
Effect Conservation
Overview of Research:
The majority of my research revolves around conservation and specifically looks at polar bears
and their relationships with humans. Polar bears cannot be conserved without humans changing
their behaviors. However, humans avoid change, so the media and other sources have to
influence and manipulate them. My research is looking at how well these influences work on
people, and how to improve them.
Background and History of Issue:
Many events throughout history showcase how peoples perspectives of animals
constantly change. For example, the teddy bear was born from an incident where Teddy
Roosevelt refused to kill a bear. Bears were previously thought of as dangerous cruel creatures
that needed to be killed, but the teddy bear became a national phenomenon that completely
altered peoples views. Another example took place in 1994, when a National Geographic
photographer discovered a polar bear playing with a dog and decided to publish the photos. The
photos were met with anger and disgust, and people believed they were fake. However when the
photos were released again in 2007, people loved the pictures and had no doubt they were real.
These perceptions are important, because they change the way humans react to issues involving
the animal and play a role in the life or death of the animal.
Currently there have been large amounts of controversy about polar bears, since not
everyone believes that they are endangered and some do not see the need to conserve it.
However, there has been research done proving that they are in fact endangered. A study showed
that there was an increase of polar bear sightings in Hudson Bay, but scientists managed to link
the increasing number of sightings to a decline in polar bears. This is because they were being
forced to venture into towns in search of food, so more were being seen.
Polar bears are spending more time starving on land due to melting ice, overall health is
declining, population is decreasing, and bears are unable to spend necessary time hunting on ice.
One study found said that the polar bears in Western Hudson Bay has a stable population, but
that body mass was decreasing and pregnant females were having increasing cub deaths. All
these problems are an effect of global warming, which is also a controversial topic because some
people try to deny this as well.
Problem Statement and Rationale:
This issue is important since the entire species lives are depending on the feelings of
people living miles away from them. Many people do not realize what is going on, since so far
the majority of global warming signs are showing in the arctic. However, other places other
places are beginning to see to see minor, unsettling changes. People also do not realize the power
they have, and how the survival of an entire species depends on the image they have. Scientists
are beginning to realize that polar bear conservation cannot be approached like other

conservation efforts because human behavior needs to change, rather than just implementing
basic actions. In most conservation situations, scientists work to form solutions that dont really
affect the lifestyle of an average person. However with polar bears, peoples lifestyles are a
major part of the problem. Scientists and conservationists would benefit from this research, since
they are looking for a quick answer as well. Also the general population would benefit, since if
polar bears go extinct many people would only be able to tell stories about animals they never
really got to meet. The polar bear is a national symbol of environmentalism and looking out for
the environment, and their death would have a very negative effect on the peoples hopes about
the environment. Also the extinction of polar bears would severely mess up the food chain in the
Arctic.
Research Methodology:
Research Question and Hypothesis:
How does conservation of polar bears depend on the relationship between polar bears and
humans?
Humans will donate more time and effort to conserving polar bears if they have a good
relationship and positive image of the bear.
Basis of Hypothesis:
I focused my hypothesis specifically on how conservation is effected by peoples shifting views
of polar bears, because I am interested in seeing what can be done to help. I found it fascinating
how the answer to the conservation of polar bears is psychological rather than scientific, since
people themselves need to be changed. Its psychological because peoples mindsets need to be
altered rather than scientists finding a solution that doesnt really affect people. For example
when DDT had to be banned to save Bald Eagles many people werent affected since not many
people are reliant on DDT. A lot of articles I found showed how public opinions of animals
affected how likely they were to be protected.
Research Design:
I will be conducting quantitative research, by showing two images, one showing polar bears
positively to one group and the other negatively to another group. Then Ill ask everyone to fill
out a survey saying what should be done to conserve polar bears, and compare the results of the
two groups. This is to measure the importance of media and how much of an influence peoples
People sampled will be high school students.
Operational Definitions:
Human and polar bear relationships- includes the way humans view polar bears and also
conflicts between the two
Conservation- methods of trying to protect a species from going extinct in the wild
Product Overview:
The goal at the end of the research is to spread information, and this could be achieved through a
presentation or a physical product such as a movie. The intended audience is high school
students, because they are the next generation that needs to protect the polar bears, and if things
continue the way they are currently, they might be the last generation to see them.

Logistical Considerations:
My project so far doesnt require any costs or transportation. If I decide to use the picture idea
then I will need equipment to show the picture, and will need paper for surveys. I will need
permission to show the video and distribute the survey. Surveys would also need to be printed.