Quantitative Methods Project: Promoting the use of quantitative methods in ethnobiology
The goal of the Quantitative Methods Project is to provide a resource for ethnobotanists that will help in the following ways:
It is a place to learn about quantitative methods that apply to ethnobotanical research.
It provides examples of the application of quantitative methods.
It supplies materials (e.g., data sets) with which to practice the application of quantitative methods.
This site is organized so that it draws on the strengths of the world-wide-web.
It is open-source so that it freely supports the community and provides a place where everyone can contribute.
This site is run as a Wiki so that contributions are easy.
Links take you to resources so that materials need not be duplicated here.
This site draws on examples that focus on ethnobotany. As a result, it is anticipated that you will not only become more skillful in quantitative methods, but you will also see new situations which apply to ethnobotanical research. In this regard, there has been an effort to frame examples that cover situations that might be encountered in all parts of the world, not just in isolated communities in remote locations that are following traditional practices. Contemporary society is an equally fertile landscape in which to test ethnobotanical hypotheses.
Our mantra is "practice, practice, practice." The way we will learn about the power of statistics and quantitative problem solving in ethnobotany is to analyze typical situations. As many as we can until it seems like second nature.
Start with the Ethnobotany Questions (see the directory on the right).
Choose a question that gets your interest.
The next steps will vary as you should have a variety of practice strategies.
Notes on context and techniques are slowly being added to this site.
Data Handling, Visualization and Analysis
Statistics and Graphics
Graphics Modules
Maps
Map Modules
Historical Documents
Ethnobotany Questions
Sets of questions have been created. There are no data associated with the questions. At the present, you will need to make up your own practice data. Our goal is to provide example data as soon as possible.
The questions are not real. They have been created to be representative of the types of questions that you might encounter in ethnobotanical situations.
Note that most of the questions involve contemporary situations, often in urban settings. This is to emphasize the fact that everyone is surrounded by interesting ethnobotanical research questions. You don't have to go to far-away place or find an isolated culture to encounter ethnobotany.
For more information, or to be provided with Wiki editing access, contact Kim Bridges at kim.bridges@gmail.com