Course Project: Getting Started

1. Course Project:Getting Started Wildlife 448 Fall 2011

2. Be Succinct • Be direct . . . to the point . . . without “fluff” • Keep it simple (sentences, tables, etc.) • Keep overall length to minimum • Rules 1. Never tell me anything I don’t need to know 2. Never fail to tell me anything I need to know.... . . . to repeat the study . . . to understand the study/results 3. Never tell me something more than once (except maybe in discussion for emphasis)

3. Guidelines • Follow JWM guidelines (see website) • Write in first person, past tense (active voice) • Maintain similar order/headings throughout each section • List topic sentences for each paragraph to maintain flow and avoid repetition

4. Detailed Outline • Title and author(s) • Look at JWM cover page as to how to format • Abstract • Only include header as part of outline (fill this in after completing manuscript) • Introduction • Identify knowledge gaps (i.e., identify problem) • Review current knowledge base (i.e., literature review) • State goal (primary question) and objectives (knock me over the head)

5. Detailed Outline (continued) • Study Area • Where was research conducted? • List of pertinent quantitative and qualitative metrics • Study area map (if relevant) • Methods • Data collection methods • If the data was collected by someone else, you need to find out how they did it. • Data analysis methods • This part you shouldn’t have to rely on anyone else because you are doing the work

6. Detailed Outline (continued) • Results • Potential figures and tables • Can be as a list • Anticipated or Actual sample sizes • Possible outcomes • Discussion • Anticipated conclusions • Note studies that might be used for comparison • Likely management implications • Suggestions for future research • Literature Cited • Maintain as outline and manuscript are developed • Follow formatting guidelines

7. Problem Set Next week, turn in a complete and detailed outline for your class project manuscript including…. • All sections (Authors/Title abstract, intro, study area, methods, etc.) and subsections (your own) headings. (2 points) • At least 2 topic sentences or sentence fragments under each section or subsection heading. Think of these as items to be addressed in each section/subsection. (7 points) • Introductory paragraph that includes a problem statement. (6points) • Goal or primary question to be addressed. (1 point) • Data description and/or data source information for methods section. (1 point) • Literature cited—minimum of 5 references properly formatted that will likely be used. (3 points) NOTE: The only complete paragraph that you are required to write for this assignment is the introductory paragraph containing a problem statement (item 3, above). Literature cited should be in JWM format. All other material may be complete sentence; sentence fragments in traditional outline or bulleted formats. NOTE: If you turn in more than the minimum required information (as listed above), please highlight the portions identified above to be sure that you get credit for all of them.

8. Exercise • Get in assigned groups • Each person gets to discuss their project and you fill out the form and provide feedback. • You can LEAVE only after • You discuss your project with ME • You have discussed projects and filled out form with at least 2 people.