A2 ECOLOGY A2 ECOLOGY COURSEWORKCOURSEWORKSOME HINTS AND TIPS TO SOME HINTS AND TIPS TO

GUIDE YOUGUIDE YOU

THE PLAN (A)THE PLAN (A) 22 .... Suggest relevant procedures to be used .... Suggest relevant procedures to be used

and select appropriate equipment to carry out and select appropriate equipment to carry out task.task.

44 .... Design a plan in which enough relevant .... Design a plan in which enough relevant factors are taken into account and controlled in factors are taken into account and controlled in order to obtain valid data.order to obtain valid data.

66 .... Describe obs, measurements and .... Describe obs, measurements and precautions neede to obtain valid quantitative precautions neede to obtain valid quantitative datadata

88 .... Provide explanation for the procedures, .... Provide explanation for the procedures, describe method for data collection and method describe method for data collection and method of analysis including a stats test; include of analysis including a stats test; include hypothesis to be tested.hypothesis to be tested.

I DONT GET ITI DONT GET ITHELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO JUST READ SO JUST READ ON..........ON..........

Setting The SceneSetting The Scene Start with the aimStart with the aim Intro Cats Ear – give its CVIntro 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 What habitat does it thrive in?what affects

habitathabitat Any competitors?Any competitors? What about ideal conditions?What about ideal conditions? Then use synoptic material to explain the Then use synoptic material to explain the

biology of factors affecting its growth and biology of factors affecting its growth and distribution.distribution.

Then method and stats test.Then method and stats test.

How Shall I Order It?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 sequenceOrder it in a logical and flowing sequence TitleTitle AimAim Info about Cats EarInfo about Cats Ear –Its CV –Its CV Also describe the area of study and school locationAlso describe the area of study and school location Add a map and compass directionAdd a map and compass direction What is the size of the area and are there any What is the size of the area and are there any

special featuresspecial features Human effects? Trampling, gardeners etcHuman effects? Trampling, gardeners etc Synoptic materialSynoptic material relating to plant growth and relating to plant growth and

distribution distribution

The abiotic factorsThe abiotic factors you think you will you think you will measure – relate to importance.measure – relate to importance.

Your methodYour method – make it valid and – make it valid and reliablereliable

Your apparatusYour apparatus list should come first list should come first in the methodin the method

The stats testThe stats test - explain how you will - explain how you will analyse the dataanalyse the data and test statistically and test statistically for significant differences etcfor significant differences etc

2 marks2 marks

A simple equipment list and description of A simple equipment list and description of how you plan to collect data how you plan to collect data

E.g. I will divide the quad into squares and E.g. I will divide the quad into squares and randomly sample 30 in each one using randomly sample 30 in each one using quadrats and data loggers etc... I will quadrats and data loggers etc... I will record % cover in each quadrat in each record % cover in each quadrat in each area. Factor X and Y will also be measured area. Factor X and Y will also be measured in each quadrat.in each quadrat.

No worries about validity or reliability or No worries about validity or reliability or precautions.precautions.

4 marks4 marks

You need to be much more precise about You need to be much more precise about your technique and precautionsyour technique and precautions

How will you divide each area up?How will you divide each area up? Show usShow us How will you decide on the number of How will you decide on the number of

quadrats to do? Is it practical?quadrats to do? Is it practical? How will you measure the abiotic factors in How will you measure the abiotic factors in

a controlled way?a controlled way? What will you avoid.. Statues, dandelions What will you avoid.. Statues, dandelions

eyceyc

6 MARKS6 MARKS

This requires even tighter controls and This requires even tighter controls and detail on technique.detail on technique.

How can you choose which grid squares How can you choose which grid squares to sample in an unbiased way?to sample in an unbiased way?

Show usShow us Exactly where and how will you use Exactly where and how will you use

data loggers each time?data loggers each time? Where will quadrats be placed exactly?Where will quadrats be placed exactly?

6 marks6 marks

Are you collecting a reliable sample size?Are you collecting a reliable sample size? Explain.. 10% rule, time, stats test etcExplain.. 10% rule, time, stats test etc What precautions should you take when What precautions should you take when

measuring?.... Where will you stand?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 MARKS8 MARKS

All about choosing, justifying, managing and All about choosing, justifying, managing and telling us how you will statistically analyse telling us how you will statistically analyse the datathe data

What test are you choosing and why? Give What test are you choosing and why? Give the formulathe formula

How is your data appropriate?How is your data appropriate? How about sample number and distributionHow about sample number and distribution What are your hypothesesWhat are your hypotheses Degrees of freedom and level of probabailityDegrees of freedom and level of probabaility