Rigorous science: Suggestions on how to raise the bar

We offer suggestions for improving the validity of scientific inferences in wildlife ecology and management. These suggestions are offered under 7 categories as subjects of debate and refinement within our profession: university education, manuscript review and publication, professional meetings, in-service training, agency funding, review of field studies, and planning and assessment. We recommend consideration of the appointment of a Special Commissioner, working directly under The Wildlife Society (TWS) president, to oversee and coordinate various programs aimed at improving the rigor in our science and the educational opportunities of our membership. For such efforts to succeed, TWS membership must support attempts to better the science in our profession. We urge TWS members to become engaged in the process of improving the management of our natural resources by strengthening activities that will improve the quality of our science.