Outline and Evaluation of Planet Earth Research Project
Project Notebook
This will count for 20 points on the final exam. Other points will be awarded during the various six weeks grading periods as outlined on the project grade/due date sheet. It is highly recommended that any hard-to-replace material be duplicated and put in a safe place. All measurements should be metric.
To ensure the integrity of the research, never tear a page out of this notebook or use correction fluid(white-out)! If a mistake is made, draw a single line through it and initial the correction.
The notebook should be in third person and should include the following:
- Introduction
- Purpose of study - This details what organism is being studied and what information about it is being sought.
- Description of study site - This should detail the following about the study area: size and shape, location, topography, geology, areal extent and general type of vegetation, availability of water, proximity to urban or industrial areas, and history.
- Procedure and Materials
This is a detailed account of how to perform the field study. It must be written so that a person who has no familiarity with the subject could take the written procedure and repeat the study.
- Observations/ Notes
This is a log of any significant or unusual observations not specifically covered in the procedure. This would include such things as sightings of animals or animal tracks, unusual animal behavior, discovery of animal holes or nests, recognition of patterns in vegetation, etc. Also record the date, time and weather conditions each time data is collected.
- Raw Data
This is data (measurements and calculations) that is taken in the field. It should be neatly written in pen and rulers should be used for constructing data tables. It may be typed up later but the original field data must be preserved as is in the bound notebook. Weather conditions on data collection days should be recorded. Data collection transects or sites should be accurately plotted on maps and/or photos that include scales and north arrows. Collections are part of the raw data. Xeroxed copies of the final analysis (all data tables, graphs and one reference map or photo) should be put in the final notebook of one of the partners.
- Questions/Problems
This is a log of questions/problems that arise in the field that must be solved in order for the study to be continued in a valid manner. The eventual solutions to these questions/problems should also be included. This could also include suggestions for additional studies in the field area.
- Bibliography *
This includes all sources of information used in the completion of the project (including personal interviews and audio tapes). All sources must be sited in the form presented in the classroom.
* Mostly complete if studying birds, plants, soil organisms or insects. Be sure to add any changes to printed field techniques and any additions to the bibliography (such as sources for natural histories in bird projects).