Experimental Design Paper: Due ______________

 

The experimental design laboratory exercise and research paper are a chance for you to see the scientific method in action. Over the next few weeks, you will be conducting and monitoring an experiment. The methods have already been outlined in your lab manual for you. It is your job to take the background information you have been provided with and come up with several hypotheses on how you think the experiment will turn out. After you complete the experiment, your duty as a scientist is to present your results in a format that your fellow researchers can use to further their own research. The paper you turn in will be written in the same format as you would have to write it in to submit for publication to a scholarly journal. (In this case, The Journal of Professor Laughter) My requirements for submission are listed below:

• The entire paper should be computer generated in 12 point standard font such as Times New Roman or Courier (ok, I’ll even accept Arial, but no wingdings please!).
• Margins should be 1 inch all the way around—I will measure them!
• The entire paper (except the Abstract) should be double spaced.
• The top of the paper should list the title of the paper in BOLD 14 point font followed by a double space and then your name: last name first followed by first name initials in 12 point italicized font.
• Double space after the author’s name and begin your headings (starting with Abstract).
• I will deduct heavily for first person statements.
• Sections of the paper should be titled using BOLD 12 point font and headings listed below.

 

 

Abstract: Here you will describe in 100 words or less (Yes, I will count them—use your word count on your computer to check yourself) the overall gist of your paper. Please see the notes I gave out in class or the appendix in the lab manual if you do not know how to write an abstract. The abstract is the only section of the paper that should be single spaced.

 

Introduction: First, give me some background on the topic. What is ionizing radiation? What effects does it have on plants? What other researchers have looked at this? In the introduction, you will need to use actual references from other studies, not just your lab manual. Make sure that you cite them properly. After you have thoroughly described the topic, tell me about your experiment. Why would this particular experiment be interesting and worthwhile to other researchers and the public in general? Why might it be important to conduct this experiment? Why do plants make good research models for this experiment? Etc. At the very end, tell what you hoped to learn with your experiment by stating your hypotheses.     

 

Materials and Methods: In your own words, summarize the techniques you used to perform the experiment. Pretend that you are instructing a reader completely unfamiliar with our lab on how to set up the experiment. You MUST be thorough. If I cannot conduct the experiment based on your directions, you will not receive full credit. The directions must be in paragraph, not list form. Make sure that you mention the control group and describe all the experimental groups. Here you will also need to use information from fellow group members to describe whether everyone used the same methods and materials.

 

Results and Figures: Here is where you present the class data. You must include at least one table showing the germination and morphological data (you should have this entered on Table 1 on page 16 of the lab manual). You also must include at least 2 graphs: the first showing RAD versus Percent Germination and the second showing RAD versus Plant Height. It is up to you if you want to include additional tables and graphs, but only include them if they are relevant. You may incorporate the tables and graphs within the text of this section, or you may attach them at the end of the paper as an Appendix. Computer graphs are visually appealing, but it is not necessary to have computer generated graphs, as long as the graphs are neatly drawn and properly labeled. DO NOT INTERPRET the results in this section. Simply state the facts.

 

Discussion: Here is where you analyze and discuss your results. Talk about whether you accept or reject your hypotheses. What conclusions regarding the effects of radiation on seeds and seedlings did you make? Are these conclusions valid? If not, what other observations or methods are needed to validate your findings? What are some of the problems with the experimental set up? What future experiments could be performed that might better address the topic? Etc. The discussion should be at least 2 complete paragraphs. This section is where you can go off (slightly) on tangents and intercept your own thoughts and ideas about the experiment.

 

References: You should cite all resources using the APA format we discussed in class. You can use the following website as a guide for citations. http://www.liu.edu/CWIS/CWP/library/workshop/citapa.htm

 

Grading:

• 5 point deduction for each class day the paper is overdue
• No page length requirement…each section must fill above requirements.