Ecology of Local Environments

As a class, we will track biotic and abiotic factors influencing the ecology of local environments. You and your team will design, collect and analyze the results of a chosen data set over the course of the semester. The purpose of this assignment is to gain a deeper understanding of both ecology and the processes involved in experimental design in our local environment. You might consider designing your experiment based on the:
Sites andscaped!"ulched "anicured awn &ardwood 'orest ()oniferous!%eciduous* ,etland .pen ,ater #atural $paces Variables Time of Year $hading +levation $lope ocation /oad -roximity $lope #utrient Addition "ulching )utting and "owing -esticides -hysical %isruption Measureable Elements Age $tructure %ispersion $pecies %iversity %ensity /ate of )hange Trophic $tructure

-ortions of the assignment will be discussed, completed and reviewed during class time0 however the ma1ority of the assignment will be completed outside of class. You will begin by writing a scientific research proposal including an explanation of the proposed research, the methods and techniques to be employed and the importance of the study Taken from: http://www.writingcenter.uconn.edu/pdf/Research_Proposal_Writing.pdf . Please visit the site for a more extensive explanation. ! "itle# This should provide a specific summary of the proposed work (2/.3-* !! $bstract# This is a brief description of the hypothesis and the goals of the experiment. 4t should indicate what 5uestions you, as a researcher, will be seeking to answer. An abstract provides a summary that allows readers to 5uickly assess the basic premise of your proposal. (2/.3-* !!! !ntroduction and Literature %eview: You should begin with the basics of your research topic and then narrow the focus of those details that are especially pertinent to the proposed work. -resent what is currently known, and how these discoveries were made. This is the place to show what is interesting and cutting6edge in the field that led to your research idea. 3se a number of sources, especially primary sources such as 1ournal articles. Textbooks, web sites (use caution* and personal communications with professors can also be useful sources. )ite your sources7 This is the heart of your assignment and will probably be the lengthiest piece of it. (4#%484%3A * !V %esearch &ypothesis# ,hat is the hypothesis that you are testing9 ,hat are the 5uestions that you seek to answer9 :ased on what is known in this field, explain what you expect to see and hope to show through your data. (2/.3-* V Material and Methods# %escribe your proposed experiment in depth. 4dentify processes and supplies. :e thorough, but not excessive. 4t might be useful to construct an outline before completing this section, as this will give you an idea of what should be occurring when, and if your goals are attainable in the given time. (2/.3-* V! 'onclusion and (ustification# Your literature review will have already helped to lead the reader to an understanding of why your topic is of importance. This is where you will explicitly state how your proposed research will advance knowledge. ,hat are the far6reaching effects9 ,ill your study potentially change practices or policies9 ,hy is it that your research deserves funding9 (2/.3-* V!! )or*s 'ited# 4nclude all the resources that were used in the writing of the paper. 'ollow " A 'ormatting. (4#%484%3A !2/.3-* + !mportant ,oints to %emember# 6 An organi ed! well"written! concise! complete proposal makes it easier to conduct the experiment 6 A good proposal is like a good sales pitch. #n the world of graduate studies and scientific research a proposal is the means $% which funding is secured. 6 &ood writing when paired with a thorough understanding of the su$'ect matter is a valua$le skill to possess. "his section should be written and approved before beginning any data collection Your entire group must be present for the approval meeting with your teacher regarding the proposal !nclude a calendar on which you have planned dates for data collection, assignment completion and individual team member tas*s "opic# -------------------------------------------------------------------------------,re.,roposal 'hec*# ---------------- ,roposal Meeting /ate# -----------------

"eam Members# ---------------------------------------------------------------------$fter your team0s proposal has been approved, you will begin the next part of the assignment "his will entail beginning the data collection and written report The guidelines provided are taken from: http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/scientific"reports/ . Please visit the site for a more extensive explanation and examples. The site also discusses the parts of a science report! reasoning for strong science writing! a ver% helpful (what to do $efore writing the report) section and links to other resources that ma% help %ou with this *and other+ science reports. !ntroduction# 6 ,urpose 12%34,5 :roader than the hypothesis, shows what you expect to gain through the experiment. )an be pulled from the ;Abstract< of your proposal. 6 &ypothesis 12%34,5 This should be the same hypothesis submitted with your proposal, and should not change throughout the experiment. This section should also contain a 1ustification of your hypothesis based on your research and thoughts before data collection. This can be pulled from the ; 4ntroduction and iterature /eview< section of your proposal. 6 6ac*ground %esearch 12%34, 7 8%3M '3M6!9E/ !9/!V!/4$L SE'"!39S 38 ,%3,3S$L5 This information should, again, come from the ;4ntroduction and iterature /eview< section of your proposal. 4t explains how you are building upon other research, and demonstrates that you understand the concepts that you are working with. Materials and Methods# 6 'ontent 12%34,5 This section describes, in detail, exactly what was done. 4t is written in a way that allows others to repeat the experiment and data collection methods. This section should not include results, but should include precise measurements and protocol. This section should be the same as what was written in your proposal. -lease discuss any changes to the ;"aterials and "ethods< section with your teacher. 6 Structure and Style 12%34,5 .rganization is very important in this section. )oncise steps, written in sentences, regarding what was done in the past tense is correct. ,riting in the passive voice is re5uired for this report. %esults# 6 "ext 12%34,5 .ne of the shortest, but most important parts of the report7 This section of the report may only be a few lines long. %iscuss how your hypothesis was or was not supported. /eport the facts supported by the data. 4t is not necessary to discuss every data point, focus on the most relevant ones. You may identify trends that are undisputed by the data points. %o not draw conclusions at this point. This section should be written in the passive voice and past tense. 6 "ables 12%34,5 /efer to the resource given for examples of what to include, and what not to include in a purposeful table. Title and number your table. -ay special attention to the way your table will be read. .verall appearance for a well6written, science report does not mean clip art and fancy fonts. Tables should not be hand drawn. 6 8igures 12%34,5 $ometimes an illustration is the best way to emphasize a trend. %o not use a figure to show the same thing you have already shown in a table. 'igures can include maps, pictures, illustrations, charts and!or graphs. 'igures should not be hand6drawn unless you are using an illustration. =eep it simple, title and number your figures. /iscussion# 1!ndividual5 6 8urther explanation of whether the data supports or refutes the hypothesis +xplicitly state the relationships or correlations shown by data, specific to the independent and dependent variable. /emember, you are not ;correct< or ;incorrect<> the data does or does not support what you hypothesized. 6 $c*nowledge deviations or data outliers %o not ignore evidence. 4f you realize that parts of your experimental design were flawed, suggest the specific change. 6 /erive conclusions based on data :e careful not to overreach. 6 %elate your data to bac*ground research %iscuss the results in the context of a bigger discussion regarding your topic. ,hy is your research to the entire community9 &ow does it contribute to the conversation9 6 /iscuss the implications of your findings Your concluding statements help the reader to comprehend the significance of your pro1ect and your decision to write about it. +nd your report by making your main point.