5 Summary of Week 4

In previous weeks you explored ways of naming and identifying organisms. This week introduced you to some common survey methods that mostly require the use of simple equipment or even no equipment at all beyond a notebook and pencil. A linear survey of butterflies or dragonflies can be done without equipment, although its accuracy will depend on the identification skills of the observer.

Throughout this course you are encountering examples of citizen science projects, and this week you have been introduced to two examples of projects covering large geographical areas. The work of the citizen scientists in the monarch butterfly survey and the Grand Canyon project contributes enormously, and it is possible that the projects would be impossible without their input of time and interest. In the next two weeks you will explore resources and communities that can help you to engage with other citizen science projects.

You are now halfway through the course. The Open University would really appreciate your feedback and suggestions for future improvement in our optional end-of-course survey [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] , which you will also have an opportunity to complete at the end of Week 8. Participation will be completely confidential and we will not pass on your details to others.

You can now go to Week 5.