Scientific Method for Ecological Research

By: Ford, E.DavidMaterial type: TextTextPublication details: Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000Description: xix, 564 pages : illustrations ; 26 cmISBN: 9780521669733 ; 0521669731Subject(s): Ecology -- Research -- Methodology | Science -- Methodology | Écologie -- Recherche -- MéthodologieDDC classification: 574.5072
Contents:
Component processes of ecological research -- Questions about the process of scientific research -- Scientific methodology -- Distinction between progress and process in scientific research -- Section I: Developing an analytical framework -- Section II: Making a synthesis for scientific inference -- Section III: Working in the research community -- Section IV: Defining a methodology for ecological research -- Synopsis of methodological problems facing a new researcher in ecology -- How to use this book to develop your research skills -- Introduction to Section I: Developing an analytical framework -- Five processes of research planning -- Process 1: Defining a research question -- Origins and types of research questions -- Analysis of questions -- Process 2: Applying creativity to develop new research ideas -- Process 3: Ensuring the proposed research has relevance to prior scientific knowledge -- Process 4: Ensuring the proposed research is technically feasible and can be completed with available resources -- Process 5: Determining how conclusions can be drawn -- Developing a data statement: An example -- Using statistics to illuminate the problem, not support a position -- Conceptual and propositional analysis for defining research problems -- Constituents and properties of theories -- Conceptual and propositional analysis -- Phase One: Identifying the principal issues -- Phase Two: Classifying concepts according to their status in the progress of research -- Phase Three: Examining the complete research procedure.
Summary: "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. This book emphasizes the advantages of being explicit about these thought processes and aims to help those undertaking ecological research to develop a critical attitude to approaching a scientific problem and constructing a procedure for assessment. The outcome is a text that provides a framework for understanding methodological issues and assists with the effective definition and planning of research. As such, it represents a resource for anyone embarking on their research career. It also provides a source of information for those more experienced researchers who are seeking to strengthen the methodology underlying their studies or who have an interest in the analysis of research methods in ecology."--Jacket.
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Included Glossary & Index

Component processes of ecological research --
Questions about the process of scientific research --
Scientific methodology --
Distinction between progress and process in scientific research --
Section I: Developing an analytical framework --
Section II: Making a synthesis for scientific inference --
Section III: Working in the research community --
Section IV: Defining a methodology for ecological research --
Synopsis of methodological problems facing a new researcher in ecology --
How to use this book to develop your research skills --
Introduction to Section I: Developing an analytical framework --
Five processes of research planning --
Process 1: Defining a research question --
Origins and types of research questions --
Analysis of questions --
Process 2: Applying creativity to develop new research ideas --
Process 3: Ensuring the proposed research has relevance to prior scientific knowledge --
Process 4: Ensuring the proposed research is technically feasible and can be completed with available resources --
Process 5: Determining how conclusions can be drawn --
Developing a data statement: An example --
Using statistics to illuminate the problem, not support a position --
Conceptual and propositional analysis for defining research problems --
Constituents and properties of theories --
Conceptual and propositional analysis --
Phase One: Identifying the principal issues --
Phase Two: Classifying concepts according to their status in the progress of research --
Phase Three: Examining the complete research procedure.


"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. This book emphasizes the advantages of being explicit about these thought processes and aims to help those undertaking ecological research to develop a critical attitude to approaching a scientific problem and constructing a procedure for assessment. The outcome is a text that provides a framework for understanding methodological issues and assists with the effective definition and planning of research. As such, it represents a resource for anyone embarking on their research career. It also provides a source of information for those more experienced researchers who are seeking to strengthen the methodology underlying their studies or who have an interest in the analysis of research methods in ecology."--Jacket.

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