Fish and Wildlife Population Ecology - Dr. Edward O. Garton
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Scientific Method for Ecological ResearchWlf
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 ResearchJan. 14 Oz Garton Introduction, Format, etc. Jan. 16 Oz Garton Research
and Experimental Design (Chap. 3 in Wildlife 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 |