Defining Technical Information

Defining Technical Information

Technical Literature – Part I

LA 100 – SOS Version LEC-03 Althoff

Technical Info can be….• Data: numbers, graphic representation of numbers,

images (of cells, tissues, organs, individuals, habitat, landscapes, etc.)

• Models: how something “works”, how we perceive a process, impact, renovation

• Equipment: new designs, options, and/orapplications of the equipment

• Techniques/Methods: approaches and protocols to conducting field or lab activities…or data analysis

• Chronology of Events: what happened when• Etc.

DATA - numbers

Date Trap Day Plot Sub Station Species Alive/Dead Notes

11/16/2007 1 6G NE 69 PEMA A  

11/16/2007 1 6G NE 96 SHUT  

11/16/2007 1 6G NE 85 SHUT BAIT STOLEN

11/16/2007 1 6G NE 14 REMO A 6.5 g/45 mm tail, MALE

11/16/2007 1 6G NE 24 REME A 9 g/53 mm tail, FEMALE, BROAD TAIL STRIPE

11/16/2007 1 6G NE 53 PEMA A  

11/16/2007 1 6G NE 63 SHUT  

11/16/2007 1 6G NE 84 REME A 55 mm tail, BROAD TAIL STRIPE

11/16/2007 1 6G NE 41 SHUT  

11/16/2007 1 6G NE 21 SHUT  

11/16/2007 1 6G NE 33 SHUT  

11/16/2007 1 6G NW 19 REME A PREGNANT FEMALE, BROAD TAIL STRIPE

Species of snake & chronology of bites can influence amount of venom released during each bite

s. Pacific rattlesnake

cottonmouth

DATA – graphic view

DATA – graphic view

CELLCYCLE

MITOSIS

G1 G0

G2 S

DATA - Models

DATA - Equipment

Pitfall trap - arthropods

Net Radiometer – measuresincoming & outgoing radiation

DATA - images

Human red blood cells(2 with nucleus present)

Avian leucosis complexDiffuse nodular lesions in the

liver, spleen, intestine and heart

Wolf – age by tooth wear Timber Harvest (clearcuts)

DATA - images

DATA – techniques/proceduresset/up

Whole body HYPERTHERMIA

DATA – chronology of events

Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) annual chronology

Fall migration

Summer habitat use Summer habitat use

Swarming

Young becomevolant

Young born

Fall migration

Maternity Colony

Formation

Spring Emergence &

Migration

Hibernation

DATA – chronology of events

Typical Components in WRITTEN Scientific Technical Communications

• Title• Authors (and

affiliation)• Date• Abstract (if “long”)• Key Words• Introduction

(and/orBackground Info)

• Study Area (if not a lab)

• Methods & Materials• Results• Discussion• Conclusions

(and/or managementimplications)

• Acknowledgements• Literature Cited• Appendix

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Examination of the Sample Technical Papera peer-reviewed publication

• Title –what does it tell us?• Authors (and affiliation) – how many?• Abstract—present? • Key Words—present?• Introduction

a) why study grassland birds? b) why study habitat requirements? c) what was study objective?

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Examination of the Sample Technical Paper…con’t

• Discussion –which had nests further from bare ground patches?

• Discussion –what direction did nest openings face?

• Discussion –how can wildlife managers manage for “microhabitat” characteristics for improving nesting habitat for these species?

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In summary…• Technical literature has a specific

format…but the format varies from journal-to –journal

• You should be able to read these sections… and understand the main focus and findings of the paper: Introduction Discussion

• Data comes in many forms. It is usually summarized in Tables and Figures