EcoEvidEx (the Ecological Evidence Exchange) is ready for testing!
EcoEvidEx (the Ecological Evidence Exchange) is ready for testing! Extend the reach of your research results by entering them into EcoEvidEx, an initiative designed to make scientific research more impactful by making it more available, in terms of both timeliness and accessibility, to environmental decision-makers. The term “evidence-based management” highlights the idea that environmental management decisions should be based on the best available science. However, environmental decision-makers often are required to make decisions quickly, leaving little time to thoroughly consider the entire body of evidence relevant to a particular question or decision. The goal of EcoEvidEx is to make this process of evidence evaluation easier in two ways: (1) by translating research results into concise summaries of the key relationships those results provide evidence for or against (i.e., evidence metadata); and (2) by making this evidence metadata publicly accessible, so it can be applied and further built upon in other management contexts. By contributing to EcoEvidEx, you increase the chances that your work will be used—and used accurately, based on your actual research results—in evidence-based management. How will EcoEvidEx work? There are two key phases to the EcoEvidEx rollout: 1. During the initial test period (currently underway), we will be testing the evidence entry process. Enter research results from one (or more) of your papers into the EcoEvidEx form and provide us feedback on the general process and/or specific fields of information collected. Was the process straightforward and easy to follow? Are relevant types of summary information collected? Do you have suggestions for improvements? 2. After we refine the evidence entry process based on your feedback, there will be a trial period during which the evidence entry process will be linked to acceptance of papers for publication in Freshwater Science. Look for this trial period to begin in 2019. Ultimately, research results entered into EcoEvidEx will be stored in publicly accessible evidence databases (e.g., Eco Evidence, CADLink) that environmental scientists, managers, and decision-makers can use to quickly identify evidence directly relevant to their questions and information needs. Evidence collected during the initial test period will not automatically be entered into these databases. The initial test period is intended to test the evidence entry process, and entries will be stored in a test spreadsheet. We are currently working on a more seamless connection between evidence entry and storage in evidence databases for the trial period. Want to learn more? Additional information on the EcoEvidEx initiative can be found on the EcoEvidEx home page and in an EcoEvidEx editorial in Freshwater Science. If you’re interested in learning more or becoming involved in these efforts, please contact us at EcoEvidEx@freshwater-science.org.