Random Sampling Flashcards
What are the two ways you can study the distribution of an organism?
Random sampling using quadrats
Sampling along a transect
What does a quadrat measure?
How common an organism is in two different areas by comparing them
What does a transect measure?
How distribution changes across an area
How do you work out the sample size of an organism in one sample area?
1) work out means number of organisms per m2
2) Multiply the mean by the total area in m2
What is the process of quadrats for random sampling?
Throw quadrat at random, count all organisms with quadrat, repeat steps
How do transects work?
Mark out line using a tape measure, collect data along line, count organisms or use quadrat at different intervals
Why do the results need to be reliable?
So they’re repeatable and reproducible
Is a large or small sample size more reliable?
Large sample size
What do you do to make sure the results are reliable?
Control all the variables
