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On the missing link in ecology : Improving communication between modellers and experimentalists

Heuschele, Jan LU ; Ekvall, Mikael T. LU ; Mariani, Patrizio and Lindemann, Christian (2017) In Oikos 126(8). p.1071-1077
Abstract

Collaboration between modellers and experimentalists is essential in ecological research, however, different obstacles linking both camps often hinder scientific progress. In this commentary, we discuss several issues of the current state of affairs in this research loop. Backed by an online survey amongst fellow ecologists, modellers and experimentalists alike, we identify two major areas that need to be mended. Firstly, differences in language and jargon lead to a lack of exchange of ideas and to unrealistic mutual expectations. And secondly, constraint data sharing, accessibility and quality limit the usage of empirical data and thereby the impact of ecological studies. We discuss ways to advance collaboration; how to improve... (More)

Collaboration between modellers and experimentalists is essential in ecological research, however, different obstacles linking both camps often hinder scientific progress. In this commentary, we discuss several issues of the current state of affairs in this research loop. Backed by an online survey amongst fellow ecologists, modellers and experimentalists alike, we identify two major areas that need to be mended. Firstly, differences in language and jargon lead to a lack of exchange of ideas and to unrealistic mutual expectations. And secondly, constraint data sharing, accessibility and quality limit the usage of empirical data and thereby the impact of ecological studies. We discuss ways to advance collaboration; how to improve communication and the design of experiments; and the sharing of data. We hope to start a much-needed conversation between modellers and experimentalists, to further future research collaboration and to increase the impact of single ecological studies alike.

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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Oikos
volume
126
issue
8
pages
1071 - 1077
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • scopus:85018354265
  • wos:000406937000001
ISSN
0030-1299
DOI
10.1111/oik.03885
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
9d7f0ac4-15fa-474c-80ab-259e58a254bb
date added to LUP
2017-05-23 11:59:08
date last changed
2024-01-13 21:27:21
@article{9d7f0ac4-15fa-474c-80ab-259e58a254bb,
  abstract     = {{<p>Collaboration between modellers and experimentalists is essential in ecological research, however, different obstacles linking both camps often hinder scientific progress. In this commentary, we discuss several issues of the current state of affairs in this research loop. Backed by an online survey amongst fellow ecologists, modellers and experimentalists alike, we identify two major areas that need to be mended. Firstly, differences in language and jargon lead to a lack of exchange of ideas and to unrealistic mutual expectations. And secondly, constraint data sharing, accessibility and quality limit the usage of empirical data and thereby the impact of ecological studies. We discuss ways to advance collaboration; how to improve communication and the design of experiments; and the sharing of data. We hope to start a much-needed conversation between modellers and experimentalists, to further future research collaboration and to increase the impact of single ecological studies alike.</p>}},
  author       = {{Heuschele, Jan and Ekvall, Mikael T. and Mariani, Patrizio and Lindemann, Christian}},
  issn         = {{0030-1299}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{8}},
  pages        = {{1071--1077}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{Oikos}},
  title        = {{On the missing link in ecology : Improving communication between modellers and experimentalists}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/oik.03885}},
  doi          = {{10.1111/oik.03885}},
  volume       = {{126}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}