Trace the Scientific Method in a Primary Scientific Article
Written Assignment 1: Trace the Scientific Method in a Primary Scientific Article
Addresses course outcomes 1 and 4:
- recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to solve problems
- weigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific method
Before starting this assignment you might want to revisit the Scientific Method Tutorial in the Science Learning Center under the Content area.
Please review one of the provided Science Daily articles and the corresponding peer-reviewed scholarly written article below.
- Identify and describe the steps of the scientific method. Which observations do you think the scientists made leading up to this research study? Given your understanding of the experimental design, formulate a specific hypothesis that is being tested in this experiment. If a hypothesis is stated, please rewrite it IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Describe the experimental design including control and treatment group(s), and dependent and independent variables. Summarize the results and the conclusion (50 points)
- Criticize the research described. Things to consider: Were the test subjects and treatments relevant and appropriate? Was the sample size large enough? Were the methods used appropriate? Can you think of a potential bias in a research study like this? What are the limitations of the conclusions made in this research study? Address at least two of these questions in your critique of the research study (20 points).
- Discuss the relevance of this type of research, both for the world in general andfor you personally (20 points). Proper grammar will count for 10 points.
- Write a paper with title page, introduction, paragraphs addressing the questions, conclusion and references. You must write in your own words and paraphrase information from the selected information sources, addressing each of the questions for your chosen topic. Your paper should consist of less than 10% direct quotes. Your paper should be 500 – 750 words, excluding references and title page. Use APA style for references, see https://www.umuc.edu/library/libhow/apa_tutorial.cfm
Article options (choose one):
Gut bacteria from wild mice boost health in lab mice
Gut bacteria from wild mice boost health in lab mice Researchers recently reported that laboratory mice that are given the gut bacteria of wild mice are better able to survive an infection of the flu virus as well as fighting colorectal cancer.
Journal Reference: Rosshart S. P.,Vassallo, B. G.,Angeletti, D., Hutchinson, D. S.,Morgan, A. P.,Takeda, K.,Hickman H. D.,McCulloch, J. A.,Badger, J. H., Ajami, N. J.,Trinchieri, G.,Pardo-Manuel de Vilena F.,Yewdell, J. W.,Reherman, B.et al. Wild Mouse Gut Microbiota Promotes Host Fitness and Improves Disease Resistance. Cell, 2017 Nov 16;171(5):1015-1028.e13.2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.09.016
Multivitamins in pregnancy may be linked to lower autism risk in children
Multivitamins in pregnancy may be linked to lower autism risk in children An international research team set out to assess whether nutrient supplementation during pregnancy is associated with reduced risk of autism spectrum disorder, with and without intellectual disability.
Journal Reference: DeVilbiss, E. A., Magnusson, C., Gardner, R. A.,Rai, D., Newschaffer, C.J. Lyall, K., Dalman, C. Lee, B.K., Antenatal nutritional supplementation and autism spectrum disorders in the Stockholm youth cohort: population based cohort study. BMJ, 2017 Oct 4;359:j4273. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.j4273
Higher dose of vitamin D increases bone density in premature babies
Higher dose of vitamin D increases bone density in premature babies
Recent investigations suggest that if the standard supplementation of 400 IUs of vitamin D is increased to 800 IUs daily there are reductions in the number of premature and preterm babies with extremely low bone density.
Reference retrieved from:
High blood pressure lowers significantly after drinking tart montmorency cherry juice
High blood pressure lowers significantly after drinking tart montmorency cherry juice Drinking tart montmorency cherry juice significantly reduces human blood pressure at a level comparable to that achieved by medication.
Journal Reference: L. A. Te Morenga, A. J. Howatson, R. M. Jones, J. Mann. Dietary sugars and cardiometabolic risk: systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials of the effects on blood pressure and lipids. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2014; 100 (1): 65 DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.113.081521
Avoid plagiarism
It is very important to write with your own words. If you do copy one or two sentences directly (use sparingly), use quotation marks (“) around the copied text. All information sources need to be included in the reference list and as in-text references. Plagiarism will be reported to the proper UMUC authority. Guidance on how to avoid plagiarism can be found here: UMUC’s How to Avoid Plagiarism
Submission
Submit in assignment folder by due date stated in the course schedule.
Grading
Your paper will be graded based on the following criteria:
Your paper will be graded based on the following criteria:
| Excellent (90 – 100%) | Good (75 – 89%) | Adequate (50 – 74%) | Unacceptable (0-49%) | |
| The Scientific Method45 points | All steps of the scientific method in the provided research study is clearly and accurately identified and described.40-45 points | One of the steps in the scientific method in the provided research study is not described and/or minor issues with clarity and accuracy in identifying and describing the steps of the scientific method.33-39 points | Two of the steps in the scientific method in the provided research study are not described and/or major issues with clarity and accuracy in identifying and describing the steps of the scientific method.25-32 points | Most or all of the steps in the scientific method is not described.0-24 points |
| Critique of Research20 points | Clear, accurate, relevant and well organized critique of research, commenting on at least two issues.18-20 points | Minor issues with clarity, accuracy, relevance or organization in critique of research.15-17 points | Major issues with clarity, accuracy, relevance or organization in critique of research, and/or commenting on only one issue.10-14 points | No or minimal critique of research.0-9 points |
| Discussion of Relevance15 points | Discussion of the relevance of this research study, both to the world and to you personally, is clear and accurate.13-15 points | Minor issues with clarity or accuracy in the discussion of the relevance of this research study to the world and to you personally.10-12 points | Major issues with clarity and accuracy in the discussion of the relevance of this research study or missing relevance to world or to you personally.6 – 9 points | No or minimal discussion of relevance to world or you personally.0-6 points |
| Grammar/ Spelling10 points | Less than 3 minor spelling/grammatical errors9-10 points | 4-8 spelling/grammatical errors7-8 points | 9-12 spelling/grammatical errors5-6 point | More than 13 spelling /grammatical errors.0-4 points |
| References5 points | All references listed at the end, in-text references are included, all references in correct APA format.5 points | Missing one reference, and/or minor problems with APA format, and/ormissing in-text references.4 points | Missing several references and/orreferences not in APA format.2 points | No references included.0 points |
| Length of Paper5 points | Paper is between 500 and 750 words5 points | Paper is between 350-499 or 751-900 words4 points | Paper is between 200-399 or 900 – 1049 words3 points | Paper is less than 199 or more than 1050 words0 points |
(see attachment below)
