In this project, I examined the relationship between lockdowns implemented by COVID-19 and the activity of animals in urban areas. I hypothesized that animals became more active in urban areas during COVID-19 quarantine than they were before and I wanted to see if my hypothesis could be researched through Twitter crowdsourcing. I began by collecting tweets using python code, but upon examining all data output from code-based searches, I concluded that it is quicker and more efficient to use the advanced search on Twitter website. Based on my research, I can neither confirm nor deny if the appearance of wild animals is due to the COVID-19 lockdowns. However, I was able to discover a correlational relationship between these two factors in some research cases. Although my findings are mixed with regard to my original hypothesis, the impact that this phenomenon had on society cannot be denied.
Details
- Using twitter to examine animal sightings in urban areas during COVID-19 shut-downs during 2020
- Heimlich, Kiana Raye (Author)
- Dorn, Ronald (Thesis director)
- Martin, Roberta (Committee member)
- Donovan, Mary (Committee member)
- School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Contributor)
- Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)