User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
The field project aspect of this course certainly opened my eyes to the difficulties and complexities in both designing and undertaking an ecological study. As I have a very limited background in carrying out field studies, I did find the broad and self-directed nature of this project difficult, especially in terms of selecting a project I could carry out myself appropriately. There were certainly a lot of adjustments that had to be made in terms of my sampling design and variables to assess.
My sampling of multiple quadrats within multiple transects was definitely time-consuming, and I also feel I chose a project with too many confounding variables which created an added difficulty and stress when putting my project and data together. Luckily I was able to find a fair amount of relevant research that aided in describing the results of my study.
Although this has been by far my weakest course thus far in my degree, I have certainly gained valuable skills in critically assessing scientific articles, and more importantly, gained a valuable appreciation and understanding for the amount of work involved in creating a scientifically sound and unbiased field study. Lastly, it was a great change of pace to have a fully hands-on aspect to an online course, which enabled a practical application of the theory being taught.
