1 Determine the question and formulate the aims, objectives, and hypotheses.Determine whether a manipulative experiment or observational survey would be the most appropriate method to use.Decide whether you are looking primarily at the presence or absence of a species, relative abundance (e.g. counts of organisms), absolute abundance (e.g. population sizes or densities), community structures, behavioural responses, etc.Determine the statistical analyses that are likely to be employed.Select the appropriate sampling technique, taking into account the intended statistical analysis.Decide on the taxonomic level for identification, or the appropriate ecological grouping you will use (see Chapter 2).Assess what types of data will be collected and produce a standardised recording sheet.Work out the sampling design, including sample sizes.Select appropriate sample sites.Determine the site characteristics that will be monitored and choose appropriate techniques for doing this.Obtain permission to use the sites and check any legal restrictions.Carefully consider the ethical implications of the study.Risk assess all the work to be carried out.Employ a pilot study and amend your protocol if necessary.
Notes
2 2 http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1375
3 3 http://www.cell.com/trends/ecology-evolution/home
4 4 https://www.software4conservation.com
5 5 http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-4592
10 10 https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-endangered-species-act
11 11 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/birdsdirective/index_en.htm
12 12 It is important to ensure that any changes to such acts are taken on board; for example, amendments to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/69
14 14 www.usha.org.uk or https://uceastorage.blob.core.windows.net/ucea/download.cfm/docid/responsible_research_-_managing_h_s_in_research.pdf
15 15 http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Leptospirosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
16 16 http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Lyme-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx
17 17 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/algal-blooms-advice-for-the-public-and-landowners/algal-blooms-advice-for-the-public-and-landowners
18 18 https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/malaria/mosquito-bite-avoidance
19 19 http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1072.aspx?CategoryID=67
20 20 https://www.vaccines.gov/who_and_when/travel
21 21 https://www.rgs.org/in-the-field
22 22 https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
23 23 www.brc.ac.uk/record-cards
24 24 http://www.bto.org/bbs/take_part/download-forms.htm
25 25 For example, Rollin Brant at the University of British Columbia (http://www.stat.ubc.ca/∼rollin/stats/ssize/index.html ) and the Australian National Statistical Service (http://abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/home/Sample+Size+Calculator ). In order to access sample size calculations in R see http://www.statmethods.net/stats/power.html
26 26 http://www.pisces-conservation.com/software.html
27 27 FCStats provides a program to produce random numbers for any size of plot: www.wiley.com\go\wheater\practicalfieldecology
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