For a general description of how data contributed to this project will be used, please click HERE. This page describes how contributed data may or may not be used to generate scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals. This is meant to provide contributors with a general idea of how we decide upon what data will be published and which contributors will be included as authors. It is important to note that we will not use, or allow the use of, ANY data contributed to this project with out the express consent of the person contributing these data. For any additional questions please write to Harold Greeney directly at revmmoss@yahoo.com.

Version en Español (por el momento solo en ingles)

As the use of the internet for the dissemination and compilation of data becomes more widespread, there are many difficult issues which arise. Among these is the issue of intellectual property and how and why the contributions of various people may or may not be used. The main goal of this project is to provide an interactive environment which encourages biologists, guides, and individuals to take an interest in and contribute to our understanding of the nesting biology of Ecuadorian birds. Much of the contributed data, however, will be immensely valuable, if published in scientific form, to biologists and conservationists world-wide. These scientifically-valuable data will range from first nest descriptions for a given species to analyeses of breeding seasonality and behavior on a taxonomic or geographic scale (once large amounts of data are compiled). As we realize that we will be gathering data from a diverse group of contributors we wish to attempt to explain our own ideas about the use and publication of data so that everyone understands our policy before they contribute information. We welcome any and all suggestions for ways to improve upon these ideas. Please check this page regularly as we expect it to evolve as the project grows and as we incorporate the suggestions of its participants.

We feel there are 5 major ways in which one may contribute to the publication of scientific data and that all authors should be expected to contribute in at least 3 of these ways. Roughly descending order of importance, these ways are:

1) Generation of ideas and concepts for publication

2) Writing of scientific publication

3) Compilation and processing of data

4) Collection of data

5) Significant contribution to funding of data collection, processing, and writing

In general we feel that the person who does the majority of the writing of a scientific article should be the primary author and should have the responsibility of following the guidelines for inclusion of secondary authors. Using the guidelines for inclusion listed above, the primary author should determine order of authorship based on the relative contribution, of each individual, to the five listed ways of contributing. As there is no numerical way to actually calculate this, it is the responsibility of the primary author to consult with each prospective author until each is satisfied with their position in the list of authors. Papers will not be submitted for publication until all authors and/or contributors of data are satisfied with the way in which data are used and presented.

1) First description of the nest of a given species. In some cases you may have contributed the only information available on the nesting biology of a given species. If sufficient information is provided to warrent publication of such data on its own, the contributor of these data will be contacted directly and they will be invited to participate in the publication of their data. In such an instance they will have first rights-of-refusal for being primary author and writer of such a publication.

2) General description of the breeding ecology of a given species or group of species. Hopefully, as time goes on we will accumulate large amounts of data on many species, genera, or families. In such a case it is likely that there will be many contributors of information which would be useful in a synthesis of data. In this case we would generally consider contributors as authors if they are among the top 3-4 contributors of data on the subject or taxonomic group. As always, all contributors will be consulted before their data are used. For those of you interested in particular groups or aspects of reproduction, we encourage you to write to us periodically with ideas for papers which you would be responsible for being lead author on.

3) Large-scale analyses of breeding success, patterns of nest architecture, breeding seasonality, etc. In general we are a long way from having enough data for such analyses, which would necessarily include data from many contributors and encompass hundreds or thousands of nest records. We hope, however, that such data will be available in the future and we look forward to ideas and suggestions for various analyses. Authorship will be determined based on the contributions of those involved in idea conceptualization, data collection, data analysis, and writing.