Scientific
Question: Is There a Cost Effective Method of Creating a
Natural Base Oyster Mat
Vs a Plastic Base Oyster Mat?
I believe in my theory, the reports I have read, and what I
have seen at the MDC!
My problem is I need to show in a bar graph:
“Time” and “Cost” “Plastic based mats” and “Natural based mats”, but because I
don’t have the time or years of experience on my Natural based mats, I don’t
know where / how to break it down on the graph to see the results?
It was suggested to me to leave out what is the same (eg.
gathering of the oyster shells) and start the cost and time comparison after
that. Once I get some numbers on the Natural based oyster mats to compare to
the numbers I have from the MDC on plastic mats that will help me. I guess what
I need is a starting place (eg 7 mats or 14 mats), what is realistic?
I
have bulk cost but need to break it down into time per mat (eg. 7 or 14.) then
put that info on a graph or do I keep those two (Cost and Time) separate and
let the graph do the work as far as a visual, I suppose that is the whole idea
of a graph is.
(rough example )
Robin--first, great graph!! I might suggest an alternative one. Yes, you would want to use a double cluster bar graph, but since you are comparing costs (money/time) you might think about your y-axis label representing money cost and the time costs with the bars (e.g., red one = plastic, blue one = natural) representing plastic vs natural. This would allow the viewer to clearly see the natural vs plastic cost in a side-by-side comparison. This is a lot of words. If you'd like me to draw this out for you I can.
ReplyDeleteHere is my suggestion for gathering data for time cost (and this may change as you develop your project but you need to start somewhere). For the plastic mats, add up the time (minutes) it takes for them to cut the mats to the correct size + the time it takes to drill holes into 36 oyster shells + the time it takes for a person to tie them onto the plastic mat. I think those are the only unique time commitments needed to make these. You might want to go to the MDC and take a stop watch to get the average times it takes a person to 1) drill 36 holes and 2) tie them to the mats. You would want to use an average since each person completing these tasks may take more/less time than another.
You would want to compare the time it takes to make one plastic mat to the time it takes to complete one natural mat as well as the money it costs to make one plastic mat vs the money it costs to make one natural mat. If you need help with this...let me know.
Good blog post and great questions!
Deb 'n Paul
ReplyDeleteThank you for you response I will use this information and apply it through spring-break, I am eager to see for myself the results.
Robin, what are the natural materials being used? According to your graft, it takes longer to assemble a natural mat. Is there any way to streamline the process to make it more competitively effective? Are these mats being made and set up on a large scale in lieu of the plastic matting?
ReplyDeleteLee OCE 1001 50
Robin--this student has asked this question but for some reason it's not publishing so I've copied/pasted it here...
ReplyDeletewhat made you want to eliminate plastic from oyster mats?
Gail Burgard SHARON, SEC. 50