Fieldwork Statistics and Experimental Design

Module title	Fieldwork Statistics and Experimental Design
Module code	JBIM002
Academic year	2024/5
Credits	15
Module staff

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	4	0	0

Number students taking module (anticipated)	15

Module description

Fieldwork Statistics and Experimental Design is a core module in this MSc; it has a transversal character and is the main basis for a rigorous approach to biotic (faunistic and floristic) and abiotic (geographic, climatic, lithology, soils, etc.) data collection and statistical (univariate and multivariate) description and analysis. For this reason, the module sits at the very beginning of the MSc and is delivered as part of the JICAS Field School and undertaken within the Channel Islands, where you can obtain your own data and are subjected to different analytical procedures.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module aims to teach you to carry out fieldwork experiments, sampling and inventories strategies of plant and animal population and communities, including the fundamentals of the scientific method, the basis of the experimental design, floristic, vegetation and faunistic data collection procedures and the statistical description and analysis of the data obtained.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Formulate detailed hypotheses that can explain the observations and experiment where the postulated hypothesis explaining the observations can be falsified
2. Plan rigorously field-based data collection and execute field data collection, either through sampling or inventories (censuses) procedures

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

3. Apply statistical and modelling skills to understand and interpret quantitative analyses using the more important statistical computational tools and packages
4. Analyse scientific results and determine their strength and validity

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

5. Communicate effectively through oral presentations, written reports, posters and scientific publication
6. Demonstrate management skills, such as decision-making, problem definition, project design and evaluation, risk management, teamwork and coordination, and manage resources and time

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

Experiments in Ecology

o Hypotheses
o Experimental design (sampling, replication, control)
o Presentation of results

Field work: Preparation of datasheet, tools, safety measures
Data presentation (graphic and tables)

o Graphical representation of central and dispersion data
o Tables

Parametric tests

o F-Snedecor
o Matched and unmatched t-test
o ANOVA (one and more than one factors)

Non-Parametric tests

o Chi2 (contingency tables)
o U Mann Whitney
o Kolmogorov-Smirnov
o Kruskal-Wallis

Correlation and regression

o Correlation and regression
o Multiple regression

Classification vs. ordination

o Classification
o Ordination

Diversity indexes
The preparation of manuscript
Introduction to advanced statistic and modeling tools

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
30	120	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	15	Class-based activities and lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	15	Field work on Sark, Channel Islands
Guided Independent Study	60	Pre-reading for lectures - accessible via UoE VLE
Guided Independent Study	60	Writing up and finishing assessments

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Quizzes	10 question quiz	1	Formative - written
On-field presentations	Q&A and 10 minute presentation	2	Formative - oral

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Report	100	3000 words	1-6	Written

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Report	Report	1-6	Four weeks from the date feedback was given

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral - if you have failed the module (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Pre-readings:

Chalmers and Parker (1989) The OU project guide. The Open University (Field studies council).
Legendre and Legendre (1998) Numerical Ecology. Elsevier (Chapter 1: Complex Ecological data sets)
Gauch Jr (1995) Multivariate analysis in community ecology. Cambridge Studies in Ecology (Chapter 4: Ordination).

Key texts:

Arévalo, J.R., Álvarez, P., Narvaez, N. & Walker, K. 2009. The effects of fire in the regeneration of a Quercus douglasii stand in Quail Ridge Reserve, Berryessa Valley (California). Journal of Forest Research 14: 81-87.
Arévalo, J.R. & Fernández-Palacios, J.M. 2005. Gradient analysis of exotic Pinus radiata plantations and potential restoration of natural vegetation in Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain). Acta Oecologica 27: 1-8.
Arévalo, J.R., Delgado, J.D., Otto, R., Naranjo, A., Salas, M. & Fernández-Palacios, J.M. 2005. Distribution of alien vs. native plant species in roadside communities along an altitudinal gradient in Tenerife and Gran Canaria (Canary Islands). Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 7: 185-202.
Arévalo, J.R., de Nascimiento, L., Fernández-Lugo, S., Méndez, J., González-Delgado, G., Balguerías, E., Pereira-Cabral, E., Fernández-Palacios, J.M. 2018. Regeneration dynamics in the laurel forest: changes in species richness and composition. iForest 11: 308-314

Key words search

Statistics, design, islands, biodiversity, conservation, biotic, abiotic, data, collection

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	04/06/2018
Last revision date	23/04/2024