Biology II Notes
| Use of the Scientific
Literature
1. Demonstrate an ability to do a literature search 2. Read and evaluate selected research papers Sources for Scientific Literature 1. Books Check computer inventory at the library for pertinent books. THS Library, Terrebonne Parish Library 2. Magazines Consumer magazines (e.g. Discover, Popular Science, National Geographic) Professional science magazines (e.g. Scientific American, American Scientist) Journals 3. Internet Be able to efficiently utilize search engines [How to Search the Web] Know where to find major science websites [see below] 4. People How to read material and extract necessary information 1. In a comfortable environment, slowly read through the entire article/book/webpage. 2. Jot down a sentence are two summarizing what you think the material is trying to say (i.e. main point, conclusion). 3. Re-read the material and take notes of important points. Be sure to identify the main topic and conclusion. 4. Organize your notes into a prose synopsis if required. Writing Research Proposals and Reports - A research proposal communicates a researcher's plan for a study. - A research report communicates what was actually done in a study, and what resulted. - The main body is the largest section of a proposal or report and generally includes the problem to be investigated (including the statement of the problem or question, the research hypotheses and variables, and the definition of terms); the review of the literature; the procedures (including a description of the sample, the instruments to be used, the research design, and the procedures to be followed; an identification of threats to internal validity; and a description and a justification of the statistical procedures used); and (in a proposal) a budget of expected costs. - The essential difference between a research proposal and a research report is that a research report states what was done rather than what will be done and includes the actual results of the study. Thus, in a report, a description of the findings pertinent to each of the research hypotheses or questions is presented, along with a discussion by the researcher of what the findings of the study imply for overall knowledge and current practice. - Normally, the final section of a report is the offering of some suggestions for further research. - All sections of a research proposal or research report should be consistent with one another. We will cover research in the computer lab and/or library. So like experimental design, the content for this topic will be covered in class discussino and activities. |
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LINKS: Research Skills
General Science Websites
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