Response from Hays--To Keep or Destroy

This topic submitted by Hays Cummins (haysc@muohio.edu) on 2/16/03. Additions were last made on Tuesday, January 16, 2007. Section: Cummins/Kaufman

Hello,

Thanks for the proposal submission. My comments below are gentle critiques meant to help improve your proposal. So,.......without further adieu

My comments:

I really appreciate your interdisciplinary efforts here. I can tell you put a lot of effort into this. Parts of your proposal are brilliant while other components are just too vague!

The question "Is Four Mile Creek Valuable" may need to be re-evaluated, at least as you currently have expressed yourself.

Your first draft of your proposal is "all over the map." You are probably attempting to do too much. Many aspects of the proposal are too vague (already said, i know, but I wanted to give you specific examples). For instance, when you say that "We will be doing all types of water chemistry tests as well flow and discharge rates. We will also be looking at sediment load" I immediately want to know why? and how? and where?

Did you take a look at the Rivers project fron last year entitled A Super Duper Tour of Harkers Run? One component of their study looked at the sediment load and discharge (at low water and high water) in Harkers Run. They calculated the sediment load and related their findings to land use and erosion.

I like the idea of interviewing people about four mile creek. Some of your "hypotheses" can be addressed here. I'd like to see your survey instrument though (meaning, I'd like to see the actual questions you plan on asking). Each questions has to really "count" and fit into your study context.

As far as I can tell, there are no actual scientifc hypotheses here concerning river health and you scientific sampling. You need to give this some further thought. What predictions do you have? Why?

Your references are excellent. Having said that, though, they don't seem to be integrated into your proposal in any way yet. That needs to happen in your proposal revision.

The photo/videography idea is a good one. We have a digital camera and video camera for you use.

So,...whew! I'd narrow your focus somewhat. My suggestions are meant to further you efforts in he many processes involved in doing an interdisciplinary project.

Come talk to me! I'll be happy to help.

A fine beginning,
Hays

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