The data reliability in ecological research: a proposal for a quick self-assessment tool

Abstract

Researchers and practitioners in basic and applied ecology provide to private or public clients assessment documents on various concern topics, such as the state of ecosystem components, the type of threats and their regime or the level of pressure and impact on biodiversity. These assessments, carried out by ecological field studies, may be strategic in addressing conservation research, plans and actions. Therefore, data provided in these documents should be characterized by a high reliability, that is, they should be based on standard methods and protocols, independence of data samples, absence of pseudo-replication, control of different levels of detectability among sampled individuals or species, high level of precision and accuracy etc. In this paper we propose a simple two-data-sheet format for a data reliability assessment of a professional study that may facilitate a rapid check of the more important requirements of a correct ecological field research. This format may be useful to students, technicians, professionals and researchers as well as public or private commissioning agencies (e.g. to evaluate the suitability of the study, possibly suggesting additions or modifications).

The Relationships between Morphological Characteristics and Foraging Behavior in Four Selected Species of Shorebirds and Water Birds Utilizing Tropical Mudflats

“…Moreover, a one-way ANOVA was used to determine the differences in time spent foraging and different foraging techniques. All the requisites of data reliability have been followed [41]. The statistical test used was based on [42].…”

Schematizing a historical demographic collapse on a large time span using local, secondary and grey data: The case of Italian roe deer Capreolus capreolus italicus in Central Italy

“…Our analysis emphasizes the role of local grey sources to reconstruct the historical demographic collapse of populations on a large time span. We are aware of many weak points in such data like incompleteness, non-standardization, low reliability, inaccuracy, lack of replication, anecdotal approach and secondary sources (Battisti et al 2014). Nevertheless, in order to reconstruct historical collapses this literature is the only source available as reliable scientific information can only be obtained from around the second half of 20th Century, even considering the late development of zoological research on mammals in the study area (Gippoliti 2009).…”

Small Environmental Actions Need of Problem-Solving Approach: Applying Project Management Tools to Beach Litter Clean-Ups

“…To be successful, the project must have achieved the objective; that is, it must have removed at least 50% of the containers (the quantification was carried out on a sample basis in the plots, assuming that they are representative of the total area. This assumes that they have been placed in a random and not opportunistic way) [40]. In order to apply a protocol in conformity with the BACI, similar samplings should be made in a control area, where the collection has not been carried out, and using the same plot size and number.…”