Ecological Methods

Students learn how to analyse hypothesis-centred ecological field research projects on plants, animals, and their environment, with emphasis on the appropriate choice and application of statistical techniques for the analysis of ecological data. The course aims at providing the necessary statistical skills for the data analysis of BSc and MSc thesis projects and will enable the students to be able to understand and critically evaluate the analysis of ecological projects, such as described in scientific publications.

• Formulate appropriate null hypotheses for ecological research questions

• Outline the possibilities, limitations and constraints of the different univariate and multivariate statistical tests, and are able to identify alternative solutions

• Select the best statistical tool to test the ecological data at hand

• Analyse ecological data using appropriate statistical procedures

• Interpret the statistical results in an ecologically meaningful sense

• Perform both univariate and multivariate analyses

• Written test with closed questions (75%) Three parts (each 25%) that will be marked separately; exemption for individual parts of this examination can be obtained by passing the respective three test during the course. The knowledge of univariate (test 1), multivariate (test 2) and applied statistical tests and their applications (test 3) will be examined separately and individually in three multiple choice tests.
• Assignment oral presentation (25%) The results of the analyses of the large ecological dataset will be presented in a plenary session using PowerPoint. The presentation of this group assignment will be evaluated based on the clarity and balance of the various components, the appropriateness of the statistical techniques applied, the data analyses, and the ecological interpretation of the results.
• Performance (%) Access to tests and exam (parts) can only be obtained if the compulsory attendance conditions (you are allowed to miss a maximum of 2 days of the computer practicals) have been fulfilled.

• Course website.