The last three laboratories in Biology 271 will be devoted to a project designed to enhance your scientific writing, library, and computer skills. We will build on the writing and library skills that you may have learned in other courses. In addition, you will apply computer skills and learn new techniques by using Statview, Microsoft Word, and DeltaGraph.
During the last three laboratories of the semester, you will:
*learn and practice the use of descriptive and comparative statistics, (see handout 1 and handout 2 )
*analyze a set of data describing one of 10 topics (you will work in pairs), and
*working in pairs, prepare a short paper in which you
use appropriate figures, tables, or both, to summarize
the results of your statistical analysis. Your paper
should also compare the results you found in your dataset
to at least five other references you find in the Science
Library. Your paper should be three and a half pages in length
(not including figures and tables), and must be double-spaced. Please refer to the Biology web page about scientific writing for guidelines in about how the paper should be written and for the format of the literature cited section.
Schedule
Remember that figures and tables should be summaries
of data, not the raw data itself or statistical tables
taken directly from Statview.
Nov. 17/18
*Overview of statistical methods and the
use of StatView to answer statistical problem set.
Submit answers to instructors during lab.
*Overview of preparation of tables and figures using
MS Word and DeltaGraph.
*Sign-up sheets for research topics are due before leaving
lab.
*Assignments for research topics will be posted earlier, inside Olin
213. Data sets for research papers will be available in appropriately labelled
manilla envelopes on the lab bench. [Your team may want to start your library
search and topic data analysis before Thanksgiving holiday to avoid the rush
late in the semester]
Dec. 1/2
*Pairs work in lab on statistical analysis of
research topic data, and preparation of tables and
figures.
*Pairs continue library work.
Dec 8/9
*Pairs continue working independently on data
analysis, preparation of figures and tables, and writing
of research report. Faculty will be available for consultations
and assistance.
Dec 11 (5 PM)
*A roughly 4-page research paper plus literatire cited section is due from each
team. The paper should include a brief Introduction,
Methods, Results, Discussion and Literature Cited, the latter
with at least five references. The last sentence of
your Discussion should be a broad, concluding statement.
The Materials and Methods section will be provided
with your data and can be used to construct that section. Do not simply copy it.