A2 ECOLOGY COURSEWORK SOME HINTS AND TIPS TO GUIDE YOU

THE PLAN (A) Suggest relevant procedures to be used and select appropriate equipment to carry out task Suggest relevant procedures to be used and select appropriate equipment to carry out task Design a plan in which enough relevant factors are taken into account and controlled in order to obtain valid data Design a plan in which enough relevant factors are taken into account and controlled in order to obtain valid data Describe obs, measurements and precautions neede to obtain valid quantitative data Describe obs, measurements and precautions neede to obtain valid quantitative data Provide explanation for the procedures, describe method for data collection and method of analysis including a stats test; include hypothesis to be tested Provide explanation for the procedures, describe method for data collection and method of analysis including a stats test; include hypothesis to be tested.

I DONT GET IT I DONT GET IT HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO JUST READ ON SO JUST READ ON

Setting The Scene Start with the aim Start with the aim Intro Cats Ear – give its CV Intro Cats Ear – give its CV Describe it, its life cycle etc. Describe it, its life cycle etc. What habitat does it thrive in?what affects habitat What habitat does it thrive in?what affects habitat Any competitors? Any competitors? What about ideal conditions? What about ideal conditions? Then use synoptic material to explain the biology of factors affecting its growth and distribution. Then use synoptic material to explain the biology of factors affecting its growth and distribution. Then method and stats test. Then method and stats test.

How Shall I Order It? The plan should be written in the future tense. The plan should be written in the future tense. Order it in a logical and flowing sequence Order it in a logical and flowing sequence Title Title Aim Aim Info about Cats Ear –Its CV Info about Cats Ear –Its CV Also describe the area of study and school location Also describe the area of study and school location Add a map and compass direction Add a map and compass direction What is the size of the area and are there any special features What is the size of the area and are there any special features Human effects? Trampling, gardeners etc Human effects? Trampling, gardeners etc Synoptic material relating to plant growth and distribution Synoptic material relating to plant growth and distribution

The abiotic factors you think you will measure – relate to importance. The abiotic factors you think you will measure – relate to importance. Your method – make it valid and reliable Your method – make it valid and reliable Your apparatus list should come first in the method Your apparatus list should come first in the method The stats test - explain how you will analyse the data and test statistically for significant differences etc The stats test - explain how you will analyse the data and test statistically for significant differences etc

2 marks A simple equipment list and description of how you plan to collect data A simple equipment list and description of how you plan to collect data E.g. I will divide the quad into squares and randomly sample 30 in each one using quadrats and data loggers etc... I will record % cover in each quadrat in each area. Factor X and Y will also be measured in each quadrat. E.g. I will divide the quad into squares and randomly sample 30 in each one using quadrats and data loggers etc... I will record % cover in each quadrat in each area. Factor X and Y will also be measured in each quadrat. No worries about validity or reliability or precautions. No worries about validity or reliability or precautions.

4 marks You need to be much more precise about your technique and precautions You need to be much more precise about your technique and precautions How will you divide each area up? How will you divide each area up? Show us Show us How will you decide on the number of quadrats to do? Is it practical? How will you decide on the number of quadrats to do? Is it practical? How will you measure the abiotic factors in a controlled way? How will you measure the abiotic factors in a controlled way? What will you avoid.. Statues, dandelions eyc What will you avoid.. Statues, dandelions eyc

6 MARKS This requires even tighter controls and detail on technique. This requires even tighter controls and detail on technique. How can you choose which grid squares to sample in an unbiased way? How can you choose which grid squares to sample in an unbiased way? Show us Show us Exactly where and how will you use data loggers each time? Exactly where and how will you use data loggers each time? Where will quadrats be placed exactly? Where will quadrats be placed exactly?

6 marks Are you collecting a reliable sample size? Are you collecting a reliable sample size? Explain.. 10% rule, time, stats test etc Explain.. 10% rule, time, stats test etc What precautions should you take when measuring?.... Where will you stand? What precautions should you take when measuring?.... Where will you stand? What about the timings of the sessions? What about the timings of the sessions? How will you judge % cover? How will you judge % cover?

8 MARKS All about choosing, justifying, managing and telling us how you will statistically analyse the data All about choosing, justifying, managing and telling us how you will statistically analyse the data What test are you choosing and why? Give the formula What test are you choosing and why? Give the formula How is your data appropriate? How is your data appropriate? How about sample number and distribution How about sample number and distribution What are your hypotheses What are your hypotheses Degrees of freedom and level of probabaility Degrees of freedom and level of probabaility