YOUR NAME HERE

Bio 9H

Research Project Instructions

Science is the art of experimentation. All the knowledge we gain in this, and other,
science classes is a result of someone asking a question and researching the answer.
The key is asking the RIGHT question, which is actually more difficult than it sounds!
An appropriate experimental setup is also important (or you wont answer the question).
To get a better sense of how research is conducted, you will undertake a small research
projects in groups.
The purpose of this assignment is to think about the process of conducting research.
Im more interested in how you set up your experiment and how well you draw
conclusions than in the actual results you get. So, think about how youre organizing
your groups, how youre controlling non-experimental factors, etc.
The research project can be anything youd like, but keep in mind that you need to
complete it by the end of the semester. Also, since this is not a lab class, I will likely not
be able to provide any equipment or materials. I can provide some simple materials (like
pH paper, etc.) but for the most part you want to design projects that require minimal
materials.
The Topic
The topic for the project is open you may choose any question that can be
approached scientifically. The topic does not have to be related to biology; just
something that can be approached using scientific inquiry. Some ideas & examples of
projects that have been done in the past:
How do distractions affect short term and long term memory?
How does the water quality of Butte Creek change as it passes near Chico?
How does grazing affect plant diversity?
Is clicker training more effective than traditional dog training?
Which location in Butte has the best air quality? (Measured using lichen
diversity).

Project Outline
1: Form your groups

Due 2/19

I have set up 4 research project group pages. The group pages provide discussion
boards, file sharing, and other resources to help you collaborate with your group mates.
These groups do NOT have to be the same groups you will use for other projects in the
class. Each group project will ask you to form new groups you are welcome to form
the same groups or different groups as you prefer.
Sign up for one of these groups. You can get to the sign up page in 3 way:
1. Click on the Group Pages link on the course menu (on the left in Blackboard).
This is the best way to get to your group pages in the future.
a. Click on the Research Projects Groups Button
b. Click on the Sign Up button under the group you would like to sign up
for.
2. Click on the Research Project Module from the homepage
This is the best place to get information about all aspects of the research
project.
a. Click on the Research Project Groups Link in the Table of Contents.
b. Click Click to Launch
c. Click on the Sign Up button under the group you would like to sign up
for.
3. Click on the Unit 1 Module from the homepage
Since the research project will occur over the course of the semester,
there will be due dates throughout the semester. I will include links in the
various units as a reminder but you will want to keep track of the due
dates for this project separately from the rest of the content in the course.
a. Click on the Research Project Groups Link in the Table of Contents.
b. Click Click to Launch
c. Click on the Sign Up button under the group you would like to sign up
for.
Once youve formed your groups, use the resources on your group page to start
brainstorming ideas for your project.

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2: Post draft of research proposals (10 pts)

Due 2/24

Identify a question of interest to you and design an experiment to answer that question.
Your research design should specify how you will conduct your experiment and how
you will collect your data. Be very specific! A good research design should be clear
enough so that it can be handed to anybody and they will understand how to conduct
the experiment. Also include:
1. The hypothesis.
2. The control and test groups. If your experiment does not have control and test
groups, address why it does not.
3. The experimental, dependent and control variables. Specify how you will control
for any control variables.
4. How many replicates in your experiment. Usually we need at least 30 replicates
for statistically significant results, but depending on your experiment 5-10 may be
plenty. Its generally best to keep these experiments small so they dont take up
too much time; but that is up to your group.
Post your draft to the Research Proposal Wiki.
The wiki can be found under wikis link on the course menu, in the Research Project
Module, and in the Unit 1 Module.

3: Respond to research proposals from other groups (10 pts)

Due 3/3

The scientific process relies on peer review to ensure good experimental design and
accurate analysis. In this portion of the project, you will act as a peer reviewer for other
groups in the class. As part of your comments you should:
1. Address the overall experimental design. Does this experimental design
adequately address the question?
2. Identify components of the experimental design that can be improved. There is
no such thing as a perfect experiment. Experiments can ALWAYS be improved.
Each group will be graded on how well their experimental design addresses their
question, so help each other out! Be critical. [Notice that the draft is only worth
10 points, but the final proposal is worth 15 this is your chance to help other
groups earn the full 15 points].
3. Ask a question about the experimental design or hypothesis. Remember, science
is about asking questions.
Be sure to comment on all 3 of the other group proposals.

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4: Create a group contract (5 pts)

Due 3/3

You will draft a group contract and submit this as an assignment. The assignment link
can be found in the Research Project module.
The group contract should be very specific about who will be responsible for various
components in the group project. You are free to divvy up the work as you like, but be
very clear about it here so I and your group mates have a clear understanding of what is
expected.
The group contract should also be very specific about contingencies.
1. How will the group handle a member that is not keeping up with the
expectations?
2. How will the group handle a member that is taking over the process and not
allowing others to participate?
3. How will the group handle emergency situations with an individual? What
constitutes an emergency?
4. Any other contingencies you can think of. Groups benefit by discussing
expectations clearly and honestly up front so everyone knows what is expected.
This assignment will be a group assignment meaning that only one person from the
group needs to submit the assignment in order for the whole group to get credit

5: Finalize research proposal (15 pts)

Due 3/15

Use the comments from other students to revise your original research proposal.
Although the requirements have not changed, I will be more particular in grading and
will expect a higher quality product for the final proposal that I did for the draft. Also, be
sure to address all useful responses from other students. You dont have to make all the
changes recommended, but make sure to take into account any particularly good ideas.

*** A SPECIAL NOTE ****

Be sure to read the instructions for the research paper (starting on the next page) NOW.
There are some requirements that you will want to consider throughout the semester.
For example, you will need to find and cite at least 3 sources for your final paper. This
is part of good scientific inquiry finding out what others have already learned and
researched.

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6: Post research paper (30 pts)

Due 5/24

We will use a discussion board format for this. The assignment link is found in the
Research Project and Unit 5 modules. Format the original discussion post as
follows::
Only one group member should post an original discussion post. But, please list
the other group members at the top of the post so they can get credit.
The discussion title should be your paper title.
The discussion post should be your abstract.
Attach the research paper as an attachment to the discussion post
We have read numerous research papers throughout the semester; your paper should
use the same format. The group research paper should consist of the following:
Title
The title should be brief but descriptive. Be sure to include the main purpose of the
paper and the technique you used.
Abstract
This is the section a reader will examine; then the reader can determine whether he/she
is interested in reading the entire work. WRITE THIS SECTION LAST! Although it will
be placed first in your final formal paper, it should be written last after all other work is
completed. It should be a single brief paragraph (about 50 words) describing:
the question being addressed
Your hypothesis
the methods used (summarized - not in detail!)
the results (summarized!) and the conclusion (summarized!).
Introduction
The introduction is just what it sounds like a chance to get the reader up to speed on
what you are about to tell them. This section should answer the following questions.
What is the overall purpose/goal of the experiment you designed
What studies have already been done on the subject? What is the current
knowledge in the subject area (what is known, what is not known)?
o Cite 3-5 references here
o You can use the article you reviewed
o How is your research adding to the information in this area.
Roughly how you set up the experiment (Not a detailed plan just a rough
sketch. No more than 4 5 sentences on this)
Use present tense in this section. (Its what we know right now).

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Materials & Methods
A detailed explanation of what you did in your experiment. Another researcher should
be able to pick up this section and conduct exactly the same experiment you did. This
is important because if someone else conducts the same experiment and does not get
the same results there is a problem. This is sometimes done as a quality control
measure in the scientific research community. This section should outline your
experiment and include details on the test and control groups as well as the dependent,
independent and control variables. This section should be written in past tense. (its
what you did in the past).
Results

You should begin and end this section with a narrative that explains the data you
collected. Dont make any conclusions here, just present the data.
Do not include all your data. You should make tables, graphs, etc. SUMMARIZING
the data.
o Tables, etc. need to be numbered consecutively as they are referred to in
the text.
o Tables, etc. should be explained & discussed in your narative.
o Tables, etc. need to have a legend that explains what it is.
Make sure all your data is accounted for you cant just toss out numbers you dont
like! Negative results need to be reported too.
You should also apply statistical analyses to your data.
Use past tense in this section.

Conclusion / Discussion
This is the section where you discuss the meaning of your data. Make sure not to
repeat the results (you just did that), but write about what the results mean. Some
things you may want to include.
Are the results as expected (is your hypothesis supported)?
Are there any experimental factors which may have brought bias or variability into
your experiment?
o How could the experiment be improved
Could there be another explanation for the results obtained (other than expected)?
Could the experimental process be revised, improved?
Make sure you distinguish fact from speculation.
What new questions does this experiment raise. Propose future directdion for
research on this subject.

Works Cited
You should include a works
cited section for any
references you used in writing
your paper.

STYLE COMMENTS

Use only standard

abbreviations, e.g. h
for hour, min for
minute, s for sec, etc.
Define non-standard
abbreviations by first
spelling out the word
then writing the
abbreviation in
parentheses. After that,
the abbreviation should
be used.
Be specific when detailing materials and methods. Give the % stain, buffer
concentration, pH, temperature (C), time, and any other particulars.
Italicize or underline the binomial (scientific name) of an organism: Escherichia
coli, E. coli
Use third person when writing about methods instead of first person:
CORRECT
Tobacco mosaic virus and 2% PTA, pH 5.0, were mixed in equal
proportions and allowed to sit 5 min. at room temperature. A drop of the
mixture was then placed on a carbon formvar-coated grid and allowed to
settle for 10min. After 10 min., a piece of filter paper was used to remove
the excess moisture from the grid.
INCORRECT
I added tobacco mosaic virus and 2% PTA, pH 5.0, in equal proportions
and allowed it to sit 5 min. I then dropped a drop of the mixture on a grid
and allowed it to settle for 10 min. After 10 min., I removed the excess
moisture with a piece of filter paper.

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7: Respond to draft research paper from other groups (10 pts)

Due 5/29

Individually, each group member should respond to all of the other research projects.
Your post should address:
how well the research project addressed the original hypothesis
the accuracy of the conclusions based on the data
questions that arise from reading the paper. You should ask at least 1 question of
each research group.

8: Fill out group evaluation (5 pts)

Due 5/29

Fill out the group evaluation. This will be a document linked to an assignment found in
the Research Project Module.
The questions you should answer are also below:
Self Evaluation
Describe your participation in the project. Discuss and evaluate, in specific and
concrete detail, the contributions you made to your group's project. Describe the things
you did well, and also describe the areas in which you could have done better. At the
conclusion of your self-evaluation, give yourself a grade on your participation in this
project, using the following guidelines:
A
B
C
D

extraordinary; far exceeded the basic requirements for group work

very good work; generally exceeded the basic requirements
met the basic requirements for group work
fell below the basic requirements for group work

Peer Evaluation
Write the name of each member of your project group, and beneath each person's
name, provide 2-3 sentences describing their participation in and contributions to the
project. Provide each person a grade using the above criteria.