Annotated bibliographies for each group: Undergraduate, Daja, TopDog

Just Added: Reading for Virginia Dale's visit

Applied Theory and Methods in Urban Ecology

CFR 475/575  URBDP 598  GEOG 487  ENVIR 487

Anderson 306, Tue 2:30-3:50 – Thu 2:30-5:50

 Instructors

Marina Alberti Department of Urban Design and Planning Office: Gould 410H Tel: 616-8667 E-mail: malberti@u.washington.edu	John Marzluff College of Forest Resources Office: Anderson 123E Tel: 616-6883 E-mail: corvid@u.washington.edu
Gordon A Bradley Office: Anderson 123G College of Forest Resources Tel: 685-0881 E-mail: gbradley@u.washington.edu	Craig ZumBrunnen Department of Geography Office: Smith 416D Tel: 543-4915 E-mail: craigzb@u.washington.edu
Clare Ryan                                            Office: Anderson Hall 123H College of Forest Resources Telephone: (206) 616-3987 Email: cmryan@u.washington.edu	Eric Shulenberger Office of Research Office: 204 Winkenwerder Hall Tel: 685-1457 E-mail: ericshul@u.washington.edu
Jeff Hepinstall Urban Ecology Tel: 293-3237 Office: Anderson 301/Gould410F E-mail: jahwash@u.washington.edu	Robert Reineke Urban Ecology Office: Anderson 301 Tel: 616-2874 E-mail: picapica@u.washington.edu

Description

 The goal of this class is to address theoretical and methodological issues involved in the research projects developed during fall quarter. The class will approach theory and methods in an applied setting emphasizing a "problem-based learning" environment where a real-world, interdisciplinary problem drives the acquisition of knowledge. Students and faculty will work together to identify and prioritize team-project needs. We will draw upon our extended faculty group and resources to cover selected topics. Selected "just in time” interactive sessions with panels of resource specialists will be designed to answer student questions on the theoretical underpinnings and specific methodologies of their project. Debriefing sessions with the IGERT core faculty will provide students with direction to incorporate these panel discussions in their research design. Student teams will work to produce a refined research design by revising project objectives and specifying research methodology and data collection protocols.

Resource Specialist Sessions

 Based on the first week brainstorm sessions on project needs, students and faculty will identify potential resources and invite a number of resource specialists to help the teams refine their research projects and design. Sessions will be structured possibly as panels of resource specialists. Students will prepare each session by developing specific questions and background information related to their projects for the invited specialist to be provided in advance. The sessions will be structured around student questions and will be followed by debriefing sessions with the core faculty.

 Assignments

 There are several assignments to help student teams identify and effectively use available resources and to develop their research design. They are listed below:

 Assignment 1: Due Jan 9

Identify theoretical and methodological needs and list of resources for team projects.

 Assignment 2: Due Weekly

Prepare set of questions for resource specialists tailored to answer methodological questions for team projects one week in advance of each session.

 Assignment 3: Due Jan 30

Preliminary Annotated Bibliography. Each team will produce an annotated bibliography for the research problem selected.

 Assignment 4: Due Feb 11

Preliminary Research Design. Each team will develop a written and oral presentation of their preliminary research design for their project based on input from the resource specialists and team-work.

 Assignment 5: Due Feb 13

Prepare Peer Review. Each team will review other team research project design and present their comments to the teams.

 Assignment 6: Due March 11

Complete Final Team-Project Research design. Each team will develop a written and oral presentation of their final research design (see description below)

 Team Project Research Design

 The goal for the student teams is to produce a revised research design for their projects which includes:

1. Revised statement of research objectives

2. Revised research question and hypothesis

3. Research methods (Design, Sampling, Variables, Measurement, Statistical Analysis)

4. Data collection Protocols (i.e. Survey protocol)