The Extended Project
Itty Bitty University's (IBU) revered ecology professor Dr. Gray
Maple would like very much to complete his 40-year old pet research
project, a case study that demonstrates the effect of different
amounts of sunlight on the kind and number and of new plants that
germinate and grow. The amount of sunlight is generally restricted
(but not perfectly controlled) in forests, plantations, arboretums,
etc., by the uniform spacing of shade-casting trees. In a
well-stocked stand, little light reaches the ground. However, in a
heavily cut stand, new germinants can be in direct sunlight for
most of the day. In some cases, low-growing undesired plants are
further controlled by the careful application of appropriate
herbicides.
Over the years, Maple has had a number of graduate students
characterize the site in terms of what grows well, where and when.
Together, the theses chart successional development by describing
changes in species composition and growth rates. The theses
describe in detail the orientation of plots on the ground and the
care taken to minimize edge effects. Treatment areas are large
enough to allow each measurement area (plot) to be centered within
an individual "buffer" zone. Buffers are treated with the plots to
ensure that that quantity and quality of shade cast on the edges of
the measurement plot is similar to that in the center.
The Issue
Maple secures funds for incoming graduate student Jane and a
crew of undergraduate assistants (Rudy and Anastasia) to complete
the final set of field measurements. Maple offers to walk around
the test site with Jane to flag the corners of the measurement
area. He confides that this practice has helped his previous
students get their bearings and saved them valuable time. Jane is
worried that the now frail man will be injured walking across the
difficult terrain to the study site, and she proposes a
counter-offer: Let the crew use their novice orienteering skills
for a day or two. Jane promises she will accept the original offer
if they encounter difficulties or if they cannot complete the job
in a reasonable amount of time.
After examining the area, Jane and Rudy recognize they are not
up to the task of finding the points using a simple hand compass.
Anastasia brilliantly suggests they scale from the map, accurately
measure from the clearly visible property corners and grid markers,
and check these figures against those described in the most recent
thesis. As they find and flag the corner markers with brightly
colored long-lasting industrial ribbon, they realize that what they
see on the ground doesn't match what is depicted on the map. They
cannot discern a pattern to the distances and directions between
plot corners. It dawns on them that the same plot corners may not
have been used each time. If the plots are inconsistent, then these
results may have biased subsequent study designs and suggested
commercial applications.
Jane and the crew seek the advice of Dr. Iris Ilex, one of
Maple's former students. When they ask about the walk-around, they
learn Ilex had flagged each corner as Maple pointed to it. She had
trusted the published design description, and had no reason to
suspect the distances and bearings might not be as described. Ilex
also expressed surprise that the study is still active; she
remembered Maple's "pilot study" as a short-term trial to see how
these treatments could be applied on a larger scale.
The resolution
Jane meets with Maple to discuss her reluctance to continue with
the project. After much deliberation, they opt to ask a surveyor to
measure and mark corners for smaller uniform plots that are
unquestionably within the treatment and buffer area. Further, the
surveyor should determine the largest and smallest possible plot
areas on the basis of existing markers, so that
Maple can evaluate the amount of error. Jane's evaluation of the
site will be limited to conditions 40 years post-treatment; Maple's
assessment will include Jane's results and discuss the statistical
error over time (which, he is convinced, will be insignificant),
and will stress the value of this site for teaching and
demonstration.
Discussion Questions
- What are the interests and obligations of the collective
undergraduate crew, Jane, Maple and Ilex?
- What are their legitimate expectations and rights?
- Who bears responsibility for maintaining the site?
- Is there an obligation to alert anyone else?
- What is Maple's obligation to the journals and conferences
where he presented this work?
- What are Ilex's obligations to the scientific community
regarding the methods Maple employed? Should her response be
influenced by the possibility that her own reputation may be
sullied?
- What responsibility do Jane and Ilex bear if the use of the
surveyor does not help?
- Science, including ecological studies, relies on building on
previous work. If one scientist puts shoddy results into the pool,
what is the effect on other scientists and graduate students?
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Participant's Commentary: The Extended Project
Participant's commentary on issues of responsibility and obligation of students in a project, specifically field studies which can be difficult and plagued with unexpected complications, the need to anticipate problems that might arise, both in experimental design, interpersonal relationships, and how they might be resolved.
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Commentary: The Extended Project
Commentary on issues of responsibility and obligation of students in a project, specifically field studies which can be difficult and plagued with unexpected complications, the need to anticipate problems that might arise, both in experimental design, interpersonal relationships, and how they might be resolved.