14 Ecological Experiments

Question 1

Intro:The Purpose of Research

Answer 1

➢ Seeks Explanations, Relationships
➢ Makes Comparisons, Projections
➢ Identifies Trends and Patterns

Question 2

Intro:Types of experiments

Answer 2

*research subjects are observed in their natural settings described as observational or empirical experiments, and conducted in the Field
*research subjects are subjected to variation in prevailing conditions, described as manipulative experiments, conducted in the Laboratory, Growth Chamber, Green House, and also in the Field

Question 3

ecological research 3 key phases

Answer 3

➢ Planning
➢ Implementation
➢ Presentation

Question 4

Reviewing the literature

Answer 4

Literature:
Peer-reviewed Journal articles;
Research articles,
Review articles
Conference Proceedings
Technical Reports
Textbooks
PhD Dissertations
MSc theses

Sources:
Online journal databases
library
Online and Physical Resources

Searching for Literature:
key words phrases/resource type

results:
a cursoryreview to determine how much attention should be paid

Copies of literature selected through this process
should be saved

would establish that:
➢ The proposed research idea has not been
published already
➢ Identify knowledge gaps that need to be
filled

Question 5

Planning:

Answer 5

➢ Identify an area of research
➢ Develop Research Questions
➢ Outline Research Objectives, steps to be
taken to answer research questions
➢ Choose Methods to be used
➢ Develop a research title

should be feasible, flexible, original
evidence:
➢ Improving an existing method of study
➢ Developing a new method of study
➢ Ongoing/Long-term Projects at a University or Partner Institution

Question 6

objectives

Answer 6

➢ Identify the intent of the research to be conducted
➢ Articulate steps to be taken to achieve the intent of the research, to enable a clear focus on the work ahead and avoid problems with implementation

Question 6

objectives

Answer 6

➢ Identify the intent of the research to be conducted
➢ Articulate steps to be taken to achieve the intent of the research, to enable a clear focus on the work ahead and avoid problems with implementation

Question 7

Important considerations

Answer 7

Legal, Health and Safety, resources
assembled for fieldwork (the availability of required equipment, be familiar with the equipment)

Question 8

Implementation
Ecological study design:

Answer 8

Random Sampling:Samples are selected for study randomly
Systematic Sampling: Sampling is done in a manner that seeks to encompass variation in plants and animals been studied

Question 9

Implementation
Data Collection:

Answer 9

Biotic,Abiotic, Record all data in an organised and standardised format, digital form better