GUIDELINES FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS
WILD/FISH 8390
Teams
Projects may be individual or involve 1-3 students working jointly. I have found that teams of 2 students work best, so that's what I recommend. Team membership (authorship) needs to be specified at the time of the proposal.
When you develop your project proposal (which, if you are efficient, will be very close to the Introduction and Methods of your Final Project Report) keep the following in mind:
Develop a conservation problem, and state your objective/s clearly.
Describe the experimental situation, and the methods used to collect data.
If there is no data available, or more data is needed (e.g. validation, alternative scenarios), describe simulation needs and assumptions
In addition to the above generalities, please take the following into account:
DOUBLE BLIND- Please either provide 2 copies (one with your personal identifiers removed) or provide a copy in Word (not pdf) so I can do so.
FORMAT- Follow standard manuscript format (e.g., Ecology, JWM) for headings, citations, etc. Included Introduction/ literature review, Methods (Field and Statistical methods) , literature cited.
LENGTH – Approximately 10 pp. double spaced
TOPICS TO COVER
· Project title
· Authors (team members)
· Description of study area, species, system under study
· Statement of ecological question/ management problem you are addressing with your analysis, e.g.,
o Why what you are estimating/ modeling is important
o How you see the results being applicable to better understanding/ managing the species
o How you are providing critical, currently lacking information
· Describe in detail what you are estimating/ modeling (e.g., abundance, density, survival, recruitment
· Describe in detail the data you will use to estimate parameters/ model the system
o How it was collected
o Under what assumptions
o When, where, by whom
· Describe in detail your proposed analyses
o Be sure to explain how your analysis and data will support the questions you wish to address (as described above)
o Where possible include a mockup or simulation of the data in conjunction with at least the models you will use initially
· Make sure your literature review supports the above points
o Background studies (general lit on species/ system)
o General lit on method to be used
o Specific previous results pertinent to your study
FINAL PAPER GUIDELINES
Double blind
Provide copies of manuscript and cover letter with authors' names removed
Standard manuscript format
Include
Abstract
Introduction/literature review
Methods (Field and Statistical methods)
Results
Tables and Figures as needed
Discussion (might include management/ conservation implications, recommendations for followup studies, etc.)
Literature cited
Appendices
Provide electronic copies of any code used to conduct analyses
Provide data files so that analyses can be reproduced if needed (note: in some cases I recognize this may not be possible because the data rights are retained by 3rd parties. Please advise me if this is the case and we will discuss alternatives
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REVIEWERS AND AUTHORS
PRESENTATION GUIDELINES
Presentation (1 per project): Must be a Powerpoint™ or other professional grade electronic presentation
Covers the background of your project, pertinent methods, results, and interpretation.
Approx. 25 minutes including 5 minutes for questions (so keep the presentation < 20 min). Pleases provide me with a copy of the presentation the day you present (or earlier if you wish).