BIO 298 Advanced Research Methodology Lecture Handout PDF

BIO 298 ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Prepared by Maria Lourdes Dorothy G. Lacuna, Ph.D. Department of Biological Sciences MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology  Course Outline Introduction to the Course Keys to Scientific Writing What is a Scientif...

BIO 298 ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Prepared by Maria Lourdes Dorothy G. Lacuna, Ph.D. Department of Biological Sciences MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology  Course Outline Introduction to the Course Keys to Scientific Writing What is a Scientific Paper? Components of a Scientific Paper –Title Information –Abstract + Key words –Introduction –Materials and Methods –Results –Discussion –Acknowledgments –References  Introduction Goal of Scientific Research? Publish ►Without publication? ►Science is dead-Gerard Piel-  Scientific Expt is not completed until results are published Research Scientist= written document Scientist must not But must “write” only “do” science science (5Cs) Keys to Scientific Writing Coherence Clarity Consistency Conciseness Conviction  (5Cs) Keys to Scientific Writing 1)Coherence: sticking together, logical presentation of parts, continuity of 1 sentence to the next  (5Cs) Keys to Scientific Writing 2)Clarity: 3)Consistency: being clear agreement  (5Cs) Keys to Scientific Writing 4)Conciseness: 5)Conviction: expressing much being believable in few words  What is a Scientific Paper? Written & published report Valid publication=primary journal Purpose of scientific paper: 1. Assess observations 2. Repeat expts 3. Evaluate intellectual processes 4. Scientific community  Components of Scientific Paper 1. Title Information –Title, list of authors, authors addresses, and information for manuscript handling  Title The most basic and important aspect of a research paper. WHY? – Readers that searches the internet and databases, and in references cited of research papers always come across the TITLE. – Readers always assume what a paper is about and its relevance to them based on the title. What is a good title? – 1) the fewest possible words (10-12 words long) that describe contents of paper – 2) capture the readers’ attention – 3) differentiate the paper from other papers of the same subject area. 2 Types of Title: – 1) Sentence type of title: “Diversity, abundance and distribution pattern of marine benthic molluscs in Dinagat Island” – 2) Ask a question title: – The most common type of title is the sentence type.  Abbreviations and Jargon Title shld never contain abbreviations, chemical formula and jargons Jargon (vernacular, terminology, slang, dialect)  List of Authors Who should be included? Everybody who has contributed Order of the authors names 1st author 2nd author Authors Addresses Address Institution where work done Present address different, add footnote  Information for Manuscript Handling Phone Fax Email information for senior author  Abstract What is the paper all about? Mini version of paper Deciding factor for reader 250 words Brief summary: intro, objectives, method, results, main conclusions No abbreviations, detailed data, speculations, citations  Past tense First person “We did….. References not cited Printed before whole paper Written after whole paper & title have been written  Key words 5-10 words Define main topics of paper  Introduction “A bad beginning makes a bad ending” -Euripides What did you do and why? supply background info (related literatures) provide rationale in writing the paper(justification/motivation) contains the objectives Written in present tense  Rules for a Good Intro Nature & Scope of problem – i.e. wanted to assess the impact of gleaning activities to edible molluscs Supply brief information about edible molluscs Its benefits to the ecology and human society Review pertinent literatures (in the Philippines and Foreign settings) – How edible molluscs may be affected (in terms of their diversity, abundance, distribution) by gleaning activities Rationale=State reasons for choosing this problem (i.e. few or limited studies done; or no one did the study; other reasons) that motivates you to work on this issue – i.e. To address this gap, this research will be conducted (since it is still proposal stage-use future tense on this) by assessing the molluscan assemblages in this area in terms of species diversity, abundance and distribution and the gleaning activities. – i.e To address this issue, this work will be conducted.  Rules for a Good Intro (continuation) Objective of the Study: – The objective of the study is to assess the impact of gleaning activities to the assemblage of edible molluscs. The following are the specific objectives: 1) jkkkkk 2)kkdkkf 3)kdkdfk Significance of the Study – How can the result of your study be of importance/use to the society, LGUs, the academe, the scientific community?  Choice of the Problem Of interest to the researcher Original Large significance  Materials and Methods There is a certain method in this madness -Horace- How did you do it? Purpose: provide enough details for others to be able to repeat the work Written in past tense. But for the proposal stage: written in future tense=“will be” New method=Described full details Published=ID procedure, give ref Modification of published method=give ref and details of modification  Materials Exact technical specs, quantities Method of preparation Name manufacturer Genus and Species  Methods How is it done ►How many replicates/transects Statistical Analyses ► w/o lengthy description ► Statistical packages/tools (PAST-available on line, SPSS)  Components of Materials & Methods Description of the Area Statistical designs used in Description of the sampling interpreting the data stations – Diversity – The basis or criteria why you – One-Way ANOVA: to compare the choice those stations abundance of molluscs between in front of industries; facing the river outlet stations Map (complete with scale and – Cluster Analysis: to determine the similarities in the abundance of arrow pointing to the North and molluscs source) – Canonical Correspondence Analysis Description of the methods (CCA) followed in the field sampling Description of methods used in the laboratory analysis for the identification and abundance of molluscs and analysis of the physico-chemical parameter of the water  Results What did you find? New Facts Core of paper How to present the data? ►Mean, SD ►Written description  Purpose of Table & Figs –Exact numerical data –Separate page –Units measurements Table titles (precise, informative, self- explanatory)  Figures – Trend & shape data – Seen by many readers – Graphs – Illustrations – Photos – Arranged as Plates Figure Legend=symbols (precise, informative, self-explanatory)  When to use Graphs? Tables? Data show trends & makes an interesting picture=GRAPH Numbers just sit, no exciting trend=TABLE  Discussion What does it mean? 3 components –Present principles, relationships shown by results –Point out exceptions or lack of correlation & define unsettled points –Compare and contrast your findings w/ published works –Possible applications –Conclusions  Purpose: relationship among observed facts Present principles & relationships indicated in the data Verb tense: swinging bet present and past other works=present tense own work=past tense  Acknowledgments Provide specimens Technical & financial support Reviewed paper  References In print=DeMora,S. 2006. Title. Journal. Vol. Page #s. In press= Checkley, D. In press. Title. Journal. Vol. Page #s. If unpublished like personal communication=Beverly Williams, pers. comm.) Don’t cite if haven’t read it  Reference Styles Harvard system – Name & year system – Smith J.C., Jones B.C., 2014. Title. Journal Vol: Pages. Alphabet-number system – 1. Day, R.A. 2013. Title. Journal. Vol. Pages. – 2. Smith, J.C. and B.C. Jones, 2014. Title. Journal. Vol. Pages. Citation-Order system – 1. Smith, J.C. and B.C. Jones, 2014. Title. Journal. Vol. Pages. – 2. Day, R.A. 2013. Title. Journal. Vol. Pages.