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Book Cover
E-book
Author Ford, E. D. (Edward David)

Title Scientific method for ecological research / E. David Ford
Published Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2000

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Description 1 online resource (xix, 564 pages) : illustrations
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
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 525-539) and indexes
Notes Print version record
Subject Ecology -- Research -- Methodology
Science -- Methodology.
Research
Planning
Methodology
Analytical methods
Uncertainty
Models
Scientists
SCIENCE -- Environmental Science (see also Chemistry -- Environmental)
NATURE -- Ecosystems & Habitats -- Wilderness.
NATURE -- Ecology.
SCIENCE -- Life Sciences -- Ecology.
Ecology -- Research -- Methodology
Science -- Methodology
Forschung
Wissenschaft
Methode
Ökologie
Umweltwissenschaften
Ecologie.
Onderzoeksmethoden.
Écologie -- Recherche -- Méthodologie.
Sciences -- Méthodologie.
Genre/Form Electronic books
Form Electronic book
ISBN 0511017316
9780511017315
0511033206
9780511033209
0511173423
9780511173424
9780511612558
0511612559
0511048440
9780511048449
0511152477
9780511152474
052166005X
9780521660051
0511323387
9780511323386