Dichotomous Branching Keys

Dichotomous Branching Keys

A way to categorize anything is called a dichotomous (meaning to cut in 2) branching key. The idea is to start with a pile of information and to break it into smaller and smaller groups with “Yes” or “No” questions. Examples below are for mall stores and high school classes. You are to use these examples to help you construct such a key for the environmental groups you have mission statements for. Helpful categories may include Government/Private, Law abiding/Criminal, Land owning/Not Land owning, etc.

Do seniors take it? Y à C

Do you change clothes for it? Yà B

Do you study rocks and minerals? Nà A

Earth Science <STOP>

A) Freshman English <STOP>

B) Do mostly freshman take it? Y à D

Sophmore PE <STOP>

C) Is it the best class ever? Y à E

English 12 <STOP>

D) Freshman PE <STOP>

E) Environmental Explorations <STOP>