Fish and Wildlife Population Ecology  - Dr. Edward O. Garton

 

Scientific Method for Ecological Research

Wlf 501

E. O. Garton

Spring 2004

Wed and Fri at 12:30-1:20 p.m. in CNR 203

Accelerated course finished on March 12.

 

“Scientists tend to take the thought processes that drive their research for granted, often learning them indirectly by observing first their supervisors and then their colleagues”  (Ford 2000).  Our goal in this seminar will be to explore the advantages of being explicit about these thought processes to help anyone undertaking ecological research to develop a critical attitude to approaching a scientific problem and constructing a procedure for assessment.  We will read Ford’s recent book (see below).  Ford begins with a major section on techniques for conceptual and propositional analysis that can be used to define a research question, develop statements defining the investigations to be made, and specify how they will answer the question.  He builds on this to define scientific inference, particularly for the types of concepts used in ecology.  This section draws on philosophy of science to define scientific explanation and its assessment through developing explanatory coherence.  The methodology for ecological investigation that Ford develops depends on continuous application of just and effective criticism and therefore must explicitly account for social processes in research.

Required Text: Ford, E. David.  2000. Scientific Method for Ecological Research.  Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK

 

Format:  We will use a typical seminar format in which the participants and the instructor will lead discussions on papers (chapters) in Ford’s book and some additional readings.  Each participant is responsible for reading each chapter/reading in advance of our discussion.  The discussion leader will begin by reviewing briefly the high points of the chapter and then guiding the discussion by raising questions based on the reading and related papers from the scientific literature.  Each discussion leader should distribute a brief bibliography of related papers as well as copies of any figures or notes that will be helpful during the discussion.

 

Grades will be based primarily on your presentation/discussion but will also reflect your participation in discussions throughout the semester.

Schedule for Wlf 501: Scientific Method for Ecological Research

Jan. 14 Oz Garton   Introduction, Format, etc.

Jan. 16 Oz Garton   Research and Experimental Design (Chap. 3 in Wildlife
  
                                  Techniques Manual, 6th ed., In press) with Figures.

Chapter 1 Component processes of ecological research

Jan. 21 M W Stock     Chap. 2 Five processes of research planning

Jan. 23 Angie Freeman  Chap. 3 Conceptual and prepositional analysis for defining research problems

Jan. 28 Lauren Shapiro  Chap. 4 Development of a research plan

Jan. 30 Dana S.         Chap. 5 How theories develop and how to use them

Feb.  4 Leona         Chap. 6 The art of measurement and experiment

Feb.  6 Kerey         Chap. 7 Methods of reasoning in research

Feb. 11 Lauren         Chap. 8 Assessment of postulates

Feb. 13 Ben H.         Chap. 9 Individual philosophies and their methods

Feb. 18 Bruce B.          Chap. 10 Properties and domains of ecological concepts

Feb. 20 Wang, Huei-Jin   Chap. 11 Strategies of scientific research in ecology

Feb. 25 Carly G.     Chap. 12 Use of mathematical models for constructing explanations in ecology

Feb. 27 Regan B.     Chap. 13 Scientific research as a social process

Mar. 3   Nicole         Chap. 14 Values and standpoints and their influence on research

Mar. 5   Brent Stone Chap. 15 The methodology of progressive synthesis

Mar. 10 Toby G.       Chap. 16 Criticisms and improvements for scientific method in ecology

Mar. 12 Chris McDaniel  Kuhn – The Structure of Scientific Revolutions –Chap. 1,2,9