ENVS1003 Environment and Society Research Methods
First Year Course
| Offered By | School of Resources Environment & Society |
|---|---|
| Academic Career | Undergraduate |
| Course Subject | Environmental Science |
| Offered in | Second Semester, 2009 and Second Semester, 2010 |
| Unit Value | 6 units |
| Course Description |
Advances in scientific knowledge have always depended on critical measurement, analysis and presentation of results - in a society that increasingly demands transparency and rigour in decision making, the need for 'robustness' in science is becoming of paramount importance. The primary emphasis in this course will be on the principles of measurement, the similarities of experimental design and methods of information collection between various branches of science, including ecology, biology and psychology, and science communication. Students will explore ways in which experiments and field investigations can be made 'robust' - by collecting and critically examining information about wildlife, plants and humans and the environments in which they occur. Topics introduced in the course will include the concepts of scale and pattern, philosophy and systems of measurement and errors, and the collection and use of qualitative information. Analysis of results will involve the graphical exploration, development of statistical methodology to facilitate good scientific decision making and effective presentation of results to technical and lay audiences. Field-based case studies will support students to integrate the lecture and reading material as well as providing "real world" examples of research and effective team work. Canberra Urban Parks and Places or Environment ACT will support data collection during field-based case studies. Honours Pathway Option Entry to this option will be subject to the approval of the course coordinator. Students will be required to demonstrate greater depth in the philosophy and practice of measurement in biology and ecology, culminating in a small research project (probably involving measuring and reporting on aspects of a Canberra nature park). Students will attend one additional one-hour tutorial / workshop session each fortnight, and will submit an alternative project covering the final component of the course (25% of overall assessment). Other assessment will be based on continuous assessment and quizzes, but with the addition of in-depth questions based on additional tutorial work. |
| Indicative Assessment |
Computer-based quizzes to demonstrate student learning of underlying theories of measurement, graphical/statistical summaries and correlation (2-3 quizzes, 30%) A scientific journal article to demonstrate ability to integrate knowledge of measurement, analysis and presentation to a scientific audience. (5 pages, 30%) A "plain English" article to demonstrate ability to communicate research findings to a lay audience. (2 pages, 10%) A group exercise to design ways to collect information from residents, then collect and analyse that information, and finally present their findings. (30%) |
| Workload |
65 Contact hours, comprising of lectures, workshops and field excursions. |
| Areas of Interest | Resource Management and Environmental Science |
| Incompatibility |
with SREM1006 or SRES1003 |
| Majors/Specialisations | Geography, Human Ecology, and Human Sciences |
| Science Group | A |
| Academic Contact | Dr Cris brack and in collaboration with Dr Rod Lamberts |
The information published on the Study at ANU 2009 website applies to the 2009 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2008 website.
