Recording & Submitting Your Data

Recording & Submitting Your Data

Go back to the Data Collection Page

Refer to the how-to box turtle research manual, The Box Turtle Connection, for information on collecting data.


ABOUT THE DATASHEETS (see attachments below):

  1. Capture Datasheet – to be used any time you capture a turtle.
  2. Effort Log – to be used any time you could potentially encounter a turtle. Keep a running log of when you are in your study site and could possibly see a turtle. Keep track of days it rains on a calendar, as you will need this information for your Effort Log. Be sure to note the temperature and the time you spent in the field.

*Why is the Effort Log important?

– The number of turtles caught per hour of searching is a metric of abundance

– Will help us to compare populations across sites

– Useful for repeating a study in the future

PROTOCOLS FOR DATA COLLECTION:

Marking Turtles — Information about marking turtles.

Observers — Record the name of the primary observer 1st, followed by others. lIf a large group was involved, just put name of group (class, club, etc) after the name of the primary observer.

Mapping Turtle Location — Information about using a GPS unit and describing the location of the turtle.

Life Stage, # of Annuli, and Determination of Sex — Information about determining the physical characteristics of box turtles.

Photo Documentation — Information about how to do photo documentation.

Measurements — see The Box Turtle Connection research manual for more information.

Injuries, Defects and Parasites — Draw on turtle diagram on Capture Datasheet to indicate location, shape, and size of injury or defect. When possible, use scientific terminology to describe where the injury, defect, or parasite is located. See p.29 in The Box Turtle Connection research manual.

Refer to The Box Turtle Connection manual for information not addressed above about how to collect the data required on the data sheet.

SUBMITTING YOUR DATA:

Logging into and using PAWS: Use the Tip Sheet for help with the online system.