Natural Systems Lab Packet Menu

Natural Systems-Fall 2005

Discovery "Lab Teaching Packet" Menu

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These are the "Lab Teaching Packet" Postings for Natural Systems 1, Fall '05. Please feel free to browse...

You can Input Your "Lab Teaching Packet" and then review feedback on this page.

Peer Review is a fundamental component of doing science.To help make your projects more scientifically sound, you are being called upon to put forward your ideas, proposals, lab packets and final report as well as provide feedback to your peers.

Remember: Look at the outline below for details on the specifics to be included in your "lab packet." Make sure it is complete! Turn in a "hard copy" in addition to your WWW submission.

The Lab Teaching Packet Format

OK.So, what is this Lab packet about? You've already submitted a proposal. The concept behind the Lab Packet is to re-work your proposal to the point where it is nothing short of excellent. Address the critical suggestions given to original proposal. Take Your Lab Packet to the next Level! Each "Lab Packet" should be a minimum of 5 pages long, plus references, research time-line, and data sheets. Your lab packet submission should be complete the first time you submit it.

Title (with all authors)

Abstract About a paragraph or two in length--a brief synopsis of your study. Include your research question(s), relevance, and a short statement of your findings.

Then,......

1. Introduction

Purpose/Problem. What is (are) your hypothesis(es)? What is your research question? What are your predictions? Be Clear and Specific!
How did you decide on this project? How did you decide upon your specific questions?
What do you plan to accomplish?
Relevance, if any. Why is this research interesting?

2. Relevance of your research question: Background Information--Expend Lots of Effort Here!

It is very important to provide an extensive background that will serve as a foundation for your work. How does your research relate to a larger question? For instance, if you are working with bacteria, your readers might want to know about the most basic things: what are bacteria? why are they important? why are some bacteria beneficial while others are toxic? So on and so forth.....Strut your stuff!

Literature Review--What have others done? Place your work in the context of the literature and larger world.
--a minimum of 12 Library/Journal references. Be sure to include a brief explanation as to why you selected each source. Integrate this literature into the Body of Your Work
--a minimum of 5 website references that are pertinent to your study. Make sure the URLs are "Hot" links in your proposal posting (see instructions below). Also, be sure to include a brief explanation as to why you selected these specific websites.
How does your research relate to a larger question(s)? What contribution will your project hopefully be able to make to the broader base of human knowledge?

3. A Specific Research Design--Let the Reader Know that You Know What and How you're going to make this project happen

**What is your experimental design? Be specific. What will you be measuring and why? How will your experimental techniques address your specific research questions?
--Include a specific sampling design for each method. Make sure each method is statistically sound.
--Will you be surveying people? interviewing? If so, include your interview/survey instrument.

4. Materials and Methods

Describe important materials and how they will be used.
Describe other methods. How will you involve the class in your study? Be specific!
Have you included a Data Sheet?
Have you included a Research Time Line of research execution?

5. Results (To be included in your final report)

Observations
Tables (numerical data) and figures (graphs, drawings, etc.) when appropriate

6. Discussion & Conclusions (To be included in your final report)

Interpret your results, explaining why you got the results you did.
Think beyond the project. What additional questions do you have?
What suggestions do you have for further investigation?

6. Literature Cited

Include an extensive lierature cited section. Make sure that each citation is integrated into the body of your "Lab Packet."

And, Check the Database for past student projects that are similar to yours--make sure you are thoroughly familiar with what other Natural Systems students have done in your research area! Who knows, maybe their past research efforts will help you with yours!

Natural Systems Lab Teaching Packet Submissions:

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NS 1, Fall 05- The "4-Step Program" and Class Postings

DOWNLOAD the Paper Posting HTML Formating HELP SHEET!
We also have a GUIDE for depositing articles, images, data, etc in your research folders.

Search the Science Article Database

Natural Systems, Discovery Project Submissions

Search for Submissions Entered....

Examine Progress Reports .....

Research Ideas in the last 10 days visit the Progress Report page

Research Proposals

Complete Lab Teaching Packet

Final Discovery Lab Report

NS 1, Fall 05- The "4-Step Program" and Class Postings

DOWNLOAD the Paper Posting HTML Formating HELP SHEET!
We also have a GUIDE for depositing articles, images, data, etc in your research folders.

**Search the Science Article Database**
Natural Systems, Discovery Project Submissions	Search for Submissions Entered....	Examine Progress Reports .....
Research Ideas	in the last 10 days	visit the Progress Report page
Research Proposals
Complete Lab Teaching Packet
Final Discovery Lab Report

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Where do I start? This database is an extension of my core interests--look at it as an appendage to these web pages. From severe weather, to hurricanes, satellite imagery, computer modeling, climate change (el nino, greenhouse warming), evolution, origins, astronomy, paleontology, earth science resources, tropical ecosystems, biodiversity, marine ecology, herpetology, research feedback--it's all there (over 290,000 web pages!).

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Search This Website--Open Resource

There are over 20,000 web pages on my website! There are so many pages that it can be difficult to even know what is here. Many of these web pages are student research articles, complete with literature sources. Use the Within-Site Search Engine to look for past student research work that may aid you in your research! It is not password protected.