BIOL 399 Outline 2015/16 Winter Research Methods

COURSE NUMBER:

BIOL 399

COURSE TITLE:

Special Topics in Biology - 2015/16 Winter: Research Methods

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR:

Dr Darcy Visscher

CREDIT WEIGHT AND WEEKLY TIME DISTRIBUTION:

credits 3(hrs lect 3 - hrs sem 0 - hrs lab 0)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A course on a topic of figure of special interest to a member of the biology faculty and offered on a non-recurring basis.

Prerequisites: BIOL 210, 211; some topics may have more specific pre-requisites

2015/16 Winter

A semester-long course exploring the methods involved in biological research process. It will include the preparation of research proposals including, literature review, experimental design, scientific writing, and scientific communication. Students will be required to observe peer research, prepare a thesis proposal and give peer reviews.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Day, Robert A. How to Write & Publish a Scientific Paper: 5th Edition (Paperback) (4th edition: 1995)

MARK DISTRIBUTION IN PERCENT:

Writing a research proposal
- Initial draft	15%
- Final draft	25%
Presenting a poster presentation	15%
Presenting an oral presentation	15%
Journal on seminar topics	20%
Class participation	10%

	100%

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The course is intended to prepare students for independent research. Students will become familiar with the process and practice of scientific research and the writing and presentation of results in professional meeting and publication venues.

Direct experience of undergraduate research
Preparation of a research proposal
Exploration of scientific writing and editing.
Peer review practices

COURSE OUTLINE:

Building Perspectives

Examine the role and importance of the scientific method in biological sciences

Undergraduate research articles

Scientific research ethics
Asking good questions

Outline the importance of the research question

Identify key characteristics of good research

Literature Review Methods

Database methods – Finding, and referencing sources (i.e. Refworks)

Proposal writing – securing funding
Explore Experimental research design

Quantitative approaches

Documenting observations

Maintaining a lab notebook

Backing up and maintaining records of changes to electronic files

Sharing data

Investigations on the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data

Spreadsheet design

Pivot tables and data summary – Excel

Working with databases – access vs. statistical program spreadsheets

What makes a good graph?

Statistical inference

Inductive and deductive reasoning

Scientific writing – reading and writing scientific literature

Review articles vs. research articles

Review the key components of scientific papers (title, abstract, introduction, methods, results (tables/figures), discussion, conclusion, references)

Communication

Scientific communication – to stakeholders and the public
Disseminating scientific information

Role of peer review

Critiquing science

Research days

Required texts, assignments, and grade distributions may vary from one offering of this course to the next. Please consult the course instructor for up to date details.