In environment and sustainability fields, research plays a major role in identifying the response of human and natural systems to spatial and temporal differences, disturbances and management actions. Achieving these research outcomes relies upon establishing research questions and testable hypotheses, applying appropriate data collection and analysis methods, critically assessing results, and effectively communicating the observations. That process is common to all science-based disciplines.

ENVS6103 uses a PPDAC (Problem, Plan, Data, Analysis, Conclusion) cycle to introduce fundamental research concepts. You can expect to develop skills in ecological measurement and sampling, and designing and conducting surveys and experiments. You will also develop analytical skills, including data exploration and effective communication and analysis techniques common to all sciences. The course promotes learning through a combination of lectures, and field-/computer-based practical exercises. During field-based exercises you will gain first-hand experience in collecting ecological and social data.

Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but will be assessed separately and have some separate learning activities.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate conceptual understanding of inferential statistics and hypothesis testing.
2. Interpret quantitative research results reported within scientific literature.
3. Summarise data to identify effects and trends.
4. Demonstrate understanding of experimental and research design.
5. Apply the principles of sampling techniques in the environmental and social sciences.
6. Demonstrate a capacity to communicate research results effectively to the scientific and non-technical audiences.

Research-Led Teaching

This course includes content that reflects the nature of the Fenner School or Environment and Society. That is, content is delivered within disciplinary fields and current research activities relevant to the course convenorship. The course is also fundamentally research based. That is, learning is founded upon inquiry-based learning and encouraging students to act as researchers. To achieve this, research forms part of learning activities; students contribute to collection of genuine research data and analysis of those data.

Field Trips

Field trips to parts of the Canberra Nature Park, particularly Galambary/Black Mountain Nature Reserve, will occur during scheduled practical times.

Please see the College of Science - Field Trip page for more information.

Additional Course Costs

No additional costs.

Examination Material or equipment

This course does not normally include an examination. In the place of an exam, students submit an research paper that complements the research activities undertaken by all ENVS1003/6103 students.

Required Resources

No special resources are required.

Recommended Resources

Learning in this course is supported by a set of recommended reading. From a statistics perspective, reference will be made to sections of Choosing and Using Statistics and Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Biologists. Field survey techniques are supported by sections of Australian Soil and Land Survey as well as online sources. All referenced texts are accessible via the course Wattle site. This course also draws upon research literature (journal articles). Students will need to develop a detailed understanding of that literature.

The course makes use of JMP for data analysis and to support learning. JMP has an excellent user interface and reports statistics in a comprehensive and comprehensible fashion. Course participants will receive direct instruction in use of the program. JMP is available on all machines in the ANU's Info Commons machines and is available for students to download from the course Wattle site.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments, marked rubrics and verbal discussion on assignments;
• Verbal feedback to the whole class on field exercises, data outcomes, analysis tasks, quiz answers exercises and on assignments;
• General online feedback on quizzes
• Additional, individual feedback on request.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Students should refer to the Wattle site for a detailed weekly schedule of teaching activities including all readings. Lectures a) Introduction to ENVS1003/6103 and the problem of Ogmograptis moths b) Galambary/Black Mountain Nature ReservePractical Independent measurement task
2	Lectures a) Understanding distributions b) Sampling and replicationPractical Computer session - Introduction to JMP
3	Lectures a) Expectations and observations - the implications of uncertainty b) Comparing distributions (Chi-squared)Practical Field session - Structure and composition	Descriptive statistics quiz
4	Lectures (pre-recorded for Canberra Day Holiday) a) Quantitative summary and central tendency b) Central limits theorem: implications and conditionsPractical Computer session - Summarising data
5	Lectures (pre-recorded for assessment week) a) Field measurement b) Surveying peoplePractical Drop-in sessions - Assessment support	Inferential statistics quiz
6	Lectures a) Confidence intervals: theory b) Confidence intervals: applicationPractical Field sessions (Wednesday and Thursday only) - Canopy cover
7	Lectures a) Hypothesis tests b) Fisher's protocol and testPractical Computer session - Confidence intervals and hypothesis testing	Confidence intervals quiz
8	Lectures a) Experimental design I b) Experimental design II Practical Field sessions (Friday only) - Canopy cover
9	Lectures a) Two-sample hypothesis tests b) Assumptions and transformationsPractical Field session - Ogmograptis survey	Hypothesis testing quiz
10	Lectures a) Dependent tests and theory of analysing variance b) ANOVA: applicationPractical Computer session - Factor-level effects and assessment support
11	Lectures a) Linear association b) Concepts of non-parametic statisticsPractical Computer session - Linear association and assessment support	Effects and association quiz
12	Lectures a) Fallacies and Biases b) The limits of significance testingPractical Computer session - Supported exam preparation	Research critique

Tutorial Registration

This course includes weekly 3-hour practical sessions that combine practice and theory. Registration for these is via MyTimetable.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Quiz - descriptive statistics	10 %	11/03/2024	15/03/2024	1, 2, 3, 4
Quiz - inferential statistics	10 %	25/03/2024	29/03/2024	1, 2, 3, 4
Quiz - Confidence intervals	10 %	22/04/2024	26/04/2024	1, 2, 3, 4
Quiz - Hypothesis testing	10 %	06/05/2024	10/05/2024	1, 2, 3, 4
Quiz - Effects and association	10 %	20/05/2024	24/05/2024	1, 2, 3, 4
Structural and methodological review of a social experiment	20 %	24/05/2024	07/06/2024	2, 5, 6
Major written assessment	30 %	*	*	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

The final assessment item is supported by graduate fortnightly tutorial sessions throughout the semester. Students will be expected to review supporting literature and lead discussion during tutorial sessions. Some practicals within this course will be conducted in field locations on Black Mountain. Recorded materials outlining the activities conducted on site, and data collected by local students will be made available for remote participants.

Examination(s)

This course does not include an examination.

Assessment Task 1

Quiz - descriptive statistics

Wattle quiz focussed on sampling principles, graphical interpretation of data and descriptive statistics.

Each quiz will open one week prior to the due date. Although only one attempt is permitted, that attempt can be left opened and unsubmitted for the entire week (i.e., they are untimed). Individual quizzes may contain questions that must be marked manually. In those instances, answers to automatically marked questions will be available immediately after the quiz closes. Marks for manually assessed questions and quiz totals will be made available one week later.  

Assessment Task 2

Quiz - inferential statistics

Wattle quiz focussed on the principles and application of the central limits theorem

Each quiz will open one week prior to the due date. Although only one attempt is permitted, that attempt can be left opened and unsubmitted for the entire week (i.e., they are untimed). Individual quizzes may contain questions that must be marked manually. In those instances, answers to automatically marked questions will be available immediately after the quiz closes. Marks for manually assessed questions and quiz totals will be made available one week later.  

Assessment Task 3

Quiz - Confidence intervals

Assessment Task 4

Quiz - Hypothesis testing

Wattle quiz focussed on the principles and application of two-sample hypothesis-testing methods

Each quiz will open one week prior to the due date. Although only one attempt is permitted, that attempt can be left opened and unsubmitted for the entire week (i.e., they are untimed). Individual quizzes may contain questions that must be marked manually. In those instances, answers to automatically marked questions will be available immediately after the quiz closes. Marks for manually assessed questions and quiz totals will be made available one week later.  

Assessment Task 5

Quiz - Effects and association

Wattle quiz focussed on the principles, application and interpretation of effect-based testing, linear association and analysis of distributions

Each quiz will open one week prior to the due date. Although only one attempt is permitted, that attempt can be left opened and unsubmitted for the entire week (i.e., they are untimed). Individual quizzes may contain questions that must be marked manually. In those instances, answers to automatically marked questions will be available immediately after the quiz closes. Marks for manually assessed questions and quiz totals will be made available one week later.  

Assessment Task 6

Structural and methodological review of a social experiment

Critique of a publication focussed on research associated with shinrin yoku. Submissions must be structured consistent with the guide on the course Wattle page, and include a critiques of theoretical framework used throughout the publication and experimental methods and analysis techniques, and be supported by correct referencing.

Assessment Task 7

Major written assessment

Scientific article focussing on spatial and temporal variation in the occurrence of Ogmograptis racemosa scribbles on Eucalyptus rossii in Black Mountain Nature Reserve. The assessment piece must be submitted in the form required by the Australian Journal of Entomology.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

Assignments are submitted using Turnitin in the course Wattle site. You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand-written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request it in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Feedback on written assessment will be provided on electronic copies of the electronically-submitted assessment.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assignments is not permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students