LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THE INVESTIGATION AND REPORT Hypothesis and design Develop a research question and a testable hypothesis based on information about the
topic. Carry out an appropriately designed experiment and collect data
Data analysis and interpretation Interpret data and present findings in an appropriate form
Compare results to the findings of other studies
Information literacy Effectively search the biology literature and identify sources relevant to the report
Construct a scientific report using prescribed reporting instructions
Demonstrate an understanding of data interpretation and use of the primary literature
Thinking about Concepts Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and use scientific language appropriately
DATA TO INCLUDE You will use the class data set discussed in Prac 5 (week 5) as the basis for your report. As discussed in the results section below, this report will focus on the effect of habitat disturbance on invertebrate abundance and diversity. Very specific instructions as to how these data should be presented are given below so please follow them. SECTIONS OF THE REPORT Introduction
Methods (provided for you)
Results
Discussion
Reference list
LENGTH AND FORMAT OF THE REPORT The report will be 1000 – 1200 words in length, with 1.5 spaced, pages numbered. The word limit does NOT include the methods, Figures, Tables or the Reference list. REPORT WRITING RESOURCES ON CANVAS (links from WEEK 6 PAGE) • Use these Instructions for the report Use the module Reading the Scientific Literature, linked from Canvas
You should have already completed the Academic Honesty Education Module on Canvas before submitting
your Writing Task. Access the module on How to write a Report (the WRISE site), linked from Canvas. Use the section on Help
with Report Writing, the rest of the site is generic to many universities and is not really relevant to your report. Use the Write Site to help with academic writing, linked from Canvas. This site tends to focus on essays in
the humanities, but is very good for grammar. Refer to the book on writing available in Library e
-Reading: Pechenik JA (2007) A Short Guide to Writing about Biology. (6th Edition) Longman.INTRODUCTION The Introduction should set the scene for your study and provide sufficient background about the topic of the experiment for the reader to understand why you are carrying out the investigation. Choose the papers from the literature, or from the recommended reading list on Canvas, which will provide general background information and others which will help with explanations of the question you are asking. You should return to these specific research papers in the Discussion when you are relating your findings to those from other studies. Assume that your reader has a good general knowledge of the topic but may not know details of the particular research field associated with your topic for investigation. At the end of your introduction you should clearly document the questions you are investigating (i.e. hypotheses) and your aims for the experiment. METHODS You will be provided with your methods this year. You will need to update: * the sample size so that it is correct for your class data set. * add in specific information about the other piece of data that you have chosen to present (i.e. Simpson’s Diversity – see results for more information) All other writing must be completed individually
Requirements: 1000
