Experimental Design Paper (25 Points)

Date Due: _______________________

The experimental design laboratory exercise and research
paper are a chance for you to see the scientific method in action. You will
conduct and monitor 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
could 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!).

Margins
should be 1 inch all the way around—I will measure them!

The entire
paper 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 the group members listed last name first
followed by first name initials in 12 point font, all on one line. (order
of the listing is up to you) Double space after the authors’ names
and type the Abstract heading.

Citations
should be noted in the text. (AMA or MLA format)

Each
section of the paper should be titled using BOLD 12 point font.

The following sections are required:

Abstract: Here
you will describe in 100 words or less the overall gist of your paper (use your
word count on your computer to check yourself).  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 should be single spaced. Abstract should be written last.

Introduction: First,
give me some background on the topic. What is ionizing radiation? What effect 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 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.  “It is hypothesized
that…”

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, but do not use FIRST PERSON! I should be able to replicate your
experiment based on your descriptions. The directions must be in paragraph, not
list form. Make sure that you mention the control group and describe all the
experimental groups.

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 present the facts.

Discussion: Here
is where you analyze and discuss your results. Talk about whether you accept or
reject your hypotheses. Remember that accepting the hypothesis does not mean that
you are saying it is true.  Instead,
you would say, “The hypothesis is supported because…”  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 or the MLA format
if you prefer. You can use the following website as a guide for citations. http://www.liu.edu/CWIS/CWP/library/workshop/citapa.htm

Grading:

I will deduct heavily for
first person statements.

One point deduction for each
day the paper is overdue

No page length
requirement…each section must fill above requirements.

Feature

Possible Points

Earned Points

Abstract

3

Introduction

4

Materials and Methods

4

Results and Figures

4

Discussion

4

References

2

Proper grammar/format

4

Total Points

25