Wildlife 448 Fall 2010

Be SuccinctBe direct . . . to the point . . . without “fluff”Keep it simple (sentences, tables, etc.)Keep overall length to minimumRules

1. Never tell me anything I don’t need to know2. Never fail to tell me anything I need to know....

. . . to repeat the study

. . . to understand the study/results3. Never tell me something more than once

(except maybe in discussion for emphasis)

GuidelinesFollow JWM or NAJFM guidelines (see website)

Write in first person, past tense (active voice)

Maintain similar order/headings throughout each section

List topic sentences for each paragraph to maintain flow and avoid repetition

Detailed OutlineTitle and author(s)

Abstract Only include header as part of outline (write after completing

manuscript)

Introduction Identify knowledge gaps (i.e., identify problem) Review current knowledge base (i.e., literature) State goal (primary question) and objectives

Study Area Where was research conducted? List of pertinent quantitative and qualitative metrics Study area map (if relevant)

Methods Data collection methods Data analysis methods

Detailed Outline (continued)

ResultsPotential figures and tablesAnticipated sample sizesPossible outcomes

DiscussionAnticipated conclusionsNote studies that might be used for comparisonLikely management implicationsSuggestions for future research

Literature CitedMaintain as outline and manuscript are developedFollow formatting guidelines

Problem SetNext week, turn in a complete and detailed outline for your class

project manuscript including….

1. Title and author(s). (1 point)2. All section (abstract, intro, study area, methods, etc.) and

subsection (your own) headings. (2 points)3. At least 2 topic sentences or sentence fragments under each

section or subsection heading. Think of these as items to be addressed in each section/subsection. (6 points)

4. Introductory paragraph that includes a problem statement. (6 points)

5. Goal or primary question to be addressed. (1 point)6. Data description and/or data source information for methods

section. (1 point)7. Literature cited—minimum of 3 references that will likely be used.

(3 points)

NOTE: The only complete paragraph and sentences that you are required to write for this assignment is the introductory paragraph containing a problem statement (item 3, above). Literature cited should be in JWM or NAJFM format. All other material may be sentence fragments in traditional outline or bulleted formats.

NOTE: If you turn in more than the minimum required information (as listed above), please highlight the portions identified above to be sure that you get credit for all of them.