Lack of quantitative training among early-career ecologists: a survey of the problem and potential solutions.
Lack of quantitative training among early-career ecologists: a survey of the problem and potential solutions.
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作者：
Barraquand F;Ezard TH;Jørgensen PS;Zimmerman N;Chamberlain S;Salguero-Gómez R;Curran TJ;Poisot T
精通数学和统计学是现代生态科学必不可少的，但很少有研究评估生态学家接受的定量培训水平。为此，我们进行了一项在线调查。937名受访者大多是早期职业科学家，他们在本科时学习生物学。我们发现了一个明显的自我感知缺乏定量培训：75%的人不满意他们对数学模型的理解; 75%的人认为数学水平在他们的生态课上“太低”; 90%的人希望生态学家有更多的数学课; 95%的人希望有更多的统计课。受访者认为，30%的生态学相关学位课程应该专注于定量学科，这可能高于大多数现有课程。改进定量培训的主要建议是将理论和统计建模与应用生态学问题联系起来。改善定量培训将需要专门的，定量类生态相关的学位，包含良好的数学和统计实践。
Proficiency in mathematics and statistics is essential to modern ecological science, yet few studies have assessed the level of quantitative training received by ecologists. To do so, we conducted an online survey. The 937 respondents were mostly early-career scientists who studied biology as undergraduates. We found a clear self-perceived lack of quantitative training: 75% were not satisfied with their understanding of mathematical models; 75% felt that the level of mathematics was “too low” in their ecology classes; 90% wanted more mathematics classes for ecologists; and 95% more statistics classes. Respondents thought that 30% of classes in ecology-related degrees should be focused on quantitative disciplines, which is likely higher than for most existing programs. The main suggestion to improve quantitative training was to relate theoretical and statistical modeling to applied ecological problems. Improving quantitative training will require dedicated, quantitative classes for ecology-related degrees that contain good mathematical and statistical practice.
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DOI：
10.1073/pnas.1205259109
发表时间：
2012-07-17
影响因子：
11.1
作者：
Fawcett, Tim W.;Higginson, Andrew D.
通讯作者：
Higginson, Andrew D.
影响因子：
4
作者：
Norman, Geoff
通讯作者：
Norman, Geoff
影响因子：
10.1
作者：
Faeth, SH;Warren, PS;Marussich, WA
通讯作者：
Marussich, WA
影响因子：
5.3
作者：
Raats, M. M.;Shepherd, R.
通讯作者：
Shepherd, R.