700 



METHODS A.\D TECHNIQUES 



the problems, the working pattern of a compartment was changed on successive days. 



The intensity of work varied with the objectives and the season. Durinor the fall and winter, 

 when the woods were relatively open, a distance of 60 to 80 feet between men proved satis- 

 factory. Distances of 30 to 50 feet were used for spring population estimates and summer 



GROUSE SURVEY FIELD CKEW LIiNEI) LI' KEAUV TO ENTER A COVERT ON THE CONNECTICUT HILL AREA 



brood studies, while a reduction to 20 feet between men was necessary before most of the 

 grouse nests could be located. On the average, a crew of two men working 50 feet apart 

 was able to cover about 150 acres ])er 8-hour day. 



During the first two years of survey, dops were used by some of the crews. It became 

 apparent, however, that they often caused confusion and tended to introduce variables that 

 were hard to account for. Their use was, therefore, discontinued in fa\(ir of the MKire easily 

 standardized crew of assistants. 



Recording Observations 



At the outset it was recognized that only by standardizing the method of securing 

 and recording information could its significance be accurately apjiraised. Continuity of the 

 method by which notes were taken was of prime importance in determining yearly trends in 

 relationships. If the method were changed and the effect not recognized, a fluctuation in some 

 factor ])ertaining to a problem would have seemed to exist when, in actuality, it did not. 



Standardization was therefore the keynote followed in all note-taking. Since many indi- 

 viduals were involved in the field work, the first ste|) was to design uniform record sheets 

 around the more important f)r complicated jiroblems. New compartment leaders were trained 

 and given explicit written instructions on how to record observations. Notes were frequently 

 checked for continuity of handling. 



