Strategies for the Collection and Use of Quantitative Data.ppt

Strategies for the Collection and Use of Quantitative Data Why are quantitative data not used as widely and effectively as they might be?limited funding......so...How can we obtain and use quantitative data most efficiently, given inevitable funding constraints? data not collected: the lack of long-term monitoring long-term monitoring reveals whether a management practice is working provides baseline data for future studies and future management is often relatively inexpensive but.... it is not as ‘glamorous’ as new initiatives the need often outlasts the duration of project funding, the employment of a staff member, etc. Some reasons why quantitative data are not used, or are used incorrectly or inefficiently (other than funding limitations) data not collected data collected but not analyzed inefficient sampling and experimental designs statistically invalid sampling and experimental designs because bookkeeping and number-crunching aren’t as much fun as field work? because the funding has run out? Some reasons why quantitative data are not used, or are used incorrectly or inefficiently (other than funding limitations) data not collected data collected but not analyzed inefficient sampling and experimental designs statistically invalid sampling and experimental designs the three most common types of important design problems seem to be replication no replication no statistically valid replication inefficient replication randomization no randomization statistically invalid randomization number of statistical units v. number of variables the three most common types of important design problems seem to be replication no replication no statistically valid replication inefficient replication randomization no randomization statistically invalid randomization number of statistical units v. number of variables replication An example of invalid, valid but inefficient, and more efficient designs 3 habitat types: open cluster along savanna of wood