Mass strandings of whales occur on beaches near military exercises where sonar is used, raising concerns about the effects of human-generated underwater sounds on animal behavior. Scientists are collecting behavioral data on several species of whales to find out how sonar affects them. The researchers also measured the speed and direction of whale swimming in response to the sound exposure. Whales increase their speed and swim away from the direction of sound. Design a study to test the hypothesis that this behavior leads to beach strandings. Note that you will not receive permission to conduct the study if your actions are likely to cause strandings to occur.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the hypothesis to be tested. In this case, the hypothesis is that the behavior of whales increasing their speed and swimming away from the direction of sound leads to beach strandings.
2. Step 2: Design an experimental setup that does not harm the whales or cause strandings. This could involve using a controlled environment like a large aquarium or a cordoned off area of the ocean where the whales can be observed without causing them to beach.
3. Step 3: Introduce a source of sound similar to sonar in the controlled environment and observe the whales' reactions. Record the speed and direction of their swimming before, during, and after the sound exposure.
4. Step 4: Analyze the data collected. Look for patterns in the whales' behavior in response to the sound. Specifically, see if the whales' increased speed and change in direction correlate with behaviors that could lead to beaching in a natural environment.
5. Step 5: Draw conclusions based on the data analysis. If the data supports the hypothesis, it could provide evidence that sonar use in military exercises contributes to whale strandings. If the data does not support the hypothesis, further research would be needed to understand the cause of mass strandings.