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Introduction

Getting and Evaluating Information for Making Decisions about Conservation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 September 2023

Bertie J. Weddell
Affiliation:
Washington State University
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Summary

Information about the natural world comes from many sources. In controlled experiments, the responses of similar groups to a treatment are compared, and differences in the responses suggest that the treatment may have had an effect. Where controlled experiments would be impossible or unethical studies that compare conditions in two or more similar situations that differ in place or time may be appropriate. Statistical analysis allows investigators to evaluate the probability that observed results are due to chance. Historical records, natural records such as fossils, oral traditions, traditional ecological knowledge, and observations from citizen scientists and parataxonomists are also important. Researchers often develop models to predict how a system behaves under specified conditions. This is useful when a system, such as the Earth’s climate, cannot be observed directly. Science provides a framework within which results can be compared to predictions and conclusions can be modified as new evidence becomes available. Arguments and information about the natural world should be evaluated critically for misleading statements and potential bias.

Type
Chapter
Information
Conservation in the Context of a Changing World
Concepts, Strategies, and Evidence
, pp. 1 - 12
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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  • Introduction
  • Bertie J. Weddell, Washington State University
  • Book: Conservation in the Context of a Changing World
  • Online publication: 28 September 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108985987.002
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  • Introduction
  • Bertie J. Weddell, Washington State University
  • Book: Conservation in the Context of a Changing World
  • Online publication: 28 September 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108985987.002
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Introduction
  • Bertie J. Weddell, Washington State University
  • Book: Conservation in the Context of a Changing World
  • Online publication: 28 September 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108985987.002
Available formats
×