1 Determine the question and formulate the aims, objectives, and hypotheses.Determine whether a manipulative experiment or observational survey would be the most appropriate method to use.Decide whether you are looking primarily at the presence or absence of a species, relative abundance (e.g. counts of organisms), absolute abundance (e.g. population sizes or densities), community structures, behavioural responses, etc.Determine the statistical analyses that are likely to be employed.Select the appropriate sampling technique, taking into account the intended statistical analysis.Decide on the taxonomic level for identification, or the appropriate ecological grouping you will use (see Chapter 2).Assess what types of data will be collected and produce a standardised recording sheet.Work out the sampling design, including sample sizes.Select appropriate sample sites.Determine the site characteristics that will be monitored and choose appropriate techniques for doing this.Obtain permission to use the sites and check any legal restrictions.Carefully consider the ethical implications of the study.Risk assess all the work to be carried out.Employ a pilot study and amend your protocol if necessary.

      1 1 http://naturenet.net/orgs

      2 2 http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1375

      3 3 http://www.cell.com/trends/ecology-evolution/home

      4 4 https://www.software4conservation.com

      5 5 http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-4592

      6 6 https://nbn.org.uk

      7 7 http://endnote.com

      8 8 https://www.mendeley.com

      9 9 https://www.zotero.org

      10 10 https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-endangered-species-act

      11 11 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/birdsdirective/index_en.htm

      12 12 It is important to ensure that any changes to such acts are taken on board; for example, amendments to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/69

      13 13 www.hse.gov.uk/coshh

      14 14 www.usha.org.uk or https://uceastorage.blob.core.windows.net/ucea/download.cfm/docid/responsible_research_-_managing_h_s_in_research.pdf

      15 15 http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Leptospirosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx

      16 16 http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Lyme-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx

      17 17 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/algal-blooms-advice-for-the-public-and-landowners/algal-blooms-advice-for-the-public-and-landowners

      18 18 https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/malaria/mosquito-bite-avoidance

      19 19 http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1072.aspx?CategoryID=67

      20 20 https://www.vaccines.gov/who_and_when/travel

      21 21 https://www.rgs.org/in-the-field

      22 22 https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

      23 23 www.brc.ac.uk/record-cards

      24 24 http://www.bto.org/bbs/take_part/download-forms.htm

      25 25 For example, Rollin Brant at the University of British Columbia (http://www.stat.ubc.ca/∼rollin/stats/ssize/index.html ) and the Australian National Statistical Service (http://abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/home/Sample+Size+Calculator ). In order to access sample size calculations in R see http://www.statmethods.net/stats/power.html

      26 26 http://www.pisces-conservation.com/software.html

      27 27 FCStats provides a program to produce random numbers for any size of plot: www.wiley.com\go\wheater\practicalfieldecology