TNV-31806 Ecological Methods I

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Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Voortzetting statistiek

Continuation courses:

Animal Ecology, Thesis FEM, NCP, TNV

Contents:

The course is developed to learn students how to plan, carry out, and analyse ecological field research projects, through a well developed cycle of hypothesis testing, the choice of appropriate research methods, and statistical data analysis.

Aims:

Following this course students will be able to design, plan, and carry out ecological research projects on plants or animals, and their interactions. These research projects will be hypothesis-driven. Students will test hypotheses through a scientifically sound research project and data analysis. The knowledge of the choice and application of appropriate statistical procedures will be acquired through a separate module in which several statistical techniques will be used for data-analysis.

Activities:

- Students will follow lectures explaining the general lay-out of a sound ecological research proposal based on hypothesis testing. Emphasis will be placed on plant-animal interactions and studies on individual species. Published research papers will be analysed on approriate techniques;
- Knowledge will be acquired regarding general ecological field methods: their applications, use and restrictions. The content of research proposals will be addressed: background for ecological theory, formulation of objectives, choice of sampling design (sample size, number, replicates) and expected results and analysis;
- During the course a special module will be incorporated: Analysis of Ecological Data. This module is based on data management tools, and the choice and application of univariate statistical techniques for the interpretation of ecological field data. The choice of appropriate test will be given attention in relation to the type of data under investigation. The necessary theoretical statistical background is expected to be present. The use of software (Excel, SPSS, Distance, Ecological packages) for the analysis of field data will be highlighted and exercised. Attention will be paid to the cycle of: choice of tests, interpretation of statistical results, and ecological meaning of outcome with respect to hypothesis;
- Student groups will analyse a large dataset, using statistical techniques for their ecological interpretation;
- Students write a research proposal on the basis of several potential research themes or on the basis of particular interest. These research proposals will be centered around the testing of certain hypothesis. Literature searches will be carried out to acquire the basic knowledge regarding the research topic and the different research approaches and methods. Attention will be given about writing skills for research proposals;
- Research proposals will be presented in plenary sessions, and proposals will be improved through comments of the group and through corrections of the supervisors. These plenary sessions will used to acquire basic knowledge about the standard ecological field techniques.

Examination:

There will be several examination moments during the course on the basis of student reports and presentations. The Ecological Data Analysis Module will be separately examined in two tests. The research proposal will be evaluated by the supervisors. Criteria for the evaluation are based on methodological lay-out, hypothesis testing, fieldwork, data analysis, result interpretation, the use of literature in the research, and presentation skills. Moreover the research proposal will be presented in two plenary sessions using Powerpoint.

Literature:

In preparation.