Trace the scientific method

Written Assignment: Trace the Scientific Method in a Primary Scientific Article

Addresses course outcomes 1 and 4:

• recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to solve problems.
• weigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific method. 

A primary research article is an article in which authors conduct experiments and report their original findings, while a secondary research article reports or summarizes information presented from another source (for information of primary and secondary sources please go to Online Guide to Writing and Research). 

Before starting this assignment, you might want to revisit the Scientific Method Tutorial in the Science Learning Center under the Content area.

Assignment Instructions

Please review one of the provided peer-reviewed scholarly article below. In your paper you should include the following:

1. Identify and trace each of the steps of the scientific method in the scientific journal article (35 points)
• What observations did the scientists make that led up to this research study?
• Given your understanding of the experimental design, formulate a specific hypothesis that is being tested in this experiment. If a hypothesis is stated in the paper, please rewrite it IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
• Describe the experimental design. This should include info on the sample population (including key demographic information on subjects and how they were selected), how long did the experiment last, what were the control and treatment groups (and explain how they differed or how their treatments differed), what were the dependent and independent variables, what sort of tests/experiments were run and how did they analyze their data.
• Summarize the results of the study. You should include the key numerical data.
• What was the final conclusion(s) of the study? Did the authors accept or reject their hypothesis? Explain.
2. Criticize the research described. Things to consider: Were the test subjects and treatments relevant and appropriate? Was the sample size large enough? Were the methods used appropriate? Can you think of a potential bias in a research study like this? What are the limitations of the conclusions made in this research study? Address and explain at least TWO of these questions in your critique of the research study (20 points).
3. Discuss the relevance of this type of research, both for the world in general and for you personally (10 points).

Write a paper with title page, introduction, paragraphs addressing the above points, conclusion and references. You must write in your own words and paraphrase information from the selected information sources, addressing each of the questions for your chosen topic. Your paper should consist of less than 10% direct quotes. Your paper should be at least 750 words, excluding references and title page. Use APA 7th edition style for references and in-text citations.

Originality (assessed via number of direct quotes and Turnitin report) counts for 10 points. Proper grammar/spelling/formatting will count for 10 points. References and in-text citations in APA format count for 10 points. Length counts for 5 points.

Article options (choose one – click on the article title to access the PDF article):

Gut bacteria from wild mice boost health in lab mice. Researchers recently reported that laboratory mice that are given the gut bacteria of wild mice are better able to survive an infection of the flu virus as well as fighting colorectal cancer.

Wild mouse gut microbiota promotes host fitness and improves disease resistance

Rosshart S. P., Vassallo, B. G., Angeletti, D., Hutchinson, D. S., Morgan, A. P., Takeda, K., Hickman H. D., McCulloch, J. A., Badger, J. H., Ajami, N. J., Trincheieri, G., Pardo-Manuel de Villena, F., Yewdell, J. W., & Reherman, B. (2017). Wild mouse gut microbiota promotes host fitness and improves disease resistance. Cell, 171(5), 1015-1028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2017.09.016

Multivitamins in pregnancy may be linked to lower autism risk in children. An international research team set out to assess whether nutrient supplementation during pregnancy is associated with reduced risk of autism spectrum disorder, with and without intellectual disability.

Antenatal nutritional supplementation and autism spectrum disorders in the Stockholm youth cohort: Population based cohort study

DeVilbiss, E. A., Magnusson, C., Gardner, R. A., Rai, D., Newschaffer, C.J. Lyall, K., Dalman, C., & Lee, B.K. (2017). Antenatal nutritional supplementation and autism spectrum disorders in the Stockholm youth cohort: Population based cohort study. The BMJ, 359, j4273. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j4273

Higher dose of vitamin D increases bone density in premature babies. Recent investigations suggest that if the standard supplementation of 400 IUs of vitamin D is increased to 800 IUs daily there are reductions in the number of premature and preterm babies with extremely low bone density.

Randomized trial of two doses of vitamin D3 in preterm infants <32 weeks: Dose impact on achieving desired serum 25(OH)D3 in a NICU population

Anderson-Berry, A., Thoene, M., Wagner, J., Lyden, E., Jones, G., Kaufmann, M., Van Ormer, M., & Hanson, C. (2017). Randomized trial of two doses of vitamin D3 in preterm infants <32 weeks: Dose impact on achieving desired serum 25(OH)D3 in a NICU population. PLOS One, 12(10), e0185950. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0185950

High blood pressure lowers significantly after drinking tart montmorency cherry juice. Drinking tart Montmorency cherry juice significantly reduces human blood pressure at a level comparable to that achieved by medication.

Effects of Montmorency tart cherry (Prunus Cerasus L.) consumption on vascular function in men with early hypertension

Keane, K. M., George, T. W., Constantinou, C. L., Brown, M. A.. Clifford. T., & Howatson, G. (2016). Effects of Montmorency tart cherry (Prunus Cerasus L.) consumption on vascular function in men with early hypertension. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 103(6), 1531-1539. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.115.123869

Technical Requirements

Note: The Effective Writing Center can help you with writing clarity, paraphrasing, and effective expression of your ideas.

• Your paper should be clear, concise, and free of errors.
• Formatting: 1" margins, 12-point Times New Roman, Calibri, or similar fonts.
• Length Minimum: 750 words. If you feel that you have explained everything but are not at the length minimum, go back and see where you can provide more detail and/or clarification.
• Include a title page (in APA format), introduction, several paragraphs addressing the questions, conclusion, and reference list. Title page and reference list do not count towards the length requirement.
• Use APA 7th edition format for in-text citations within the text of your paper and for the reference list you will include at the end of your paper.
• Avoid quotations. Your paper should consist of 10% or less of direct quotes. Rather, paraphrase ideas and findings from your sources into both your own words and writing style (and provide proper in-text citations). Changing a few words but including most of the wording and structure from the original text in your sources is not acceptable. Verbatim text copied directly from sources is not acceptable, even if cited. The writing needs to be your own. If you do use verbatim text, you must use quotation marks.
• You may not re-use assignments from a different course or from any other session in which you took this same course.
• Submit your assignment to the Assignment folder by the due date listed in the course schedule.
• See the rubric below for grading guidelines.

It is your responsibility to check your document and make sure you have submitted the correct one for this assignment. The last document you submit prior to the deadline is the one that will be graded (any submissions after the deadline will be subject to the late penalty outlined in the syllabus).

Avoid plagiarism

It is very important to write with your own words. If you do copy one or two sentences directly (use sparingly), use quotation marks (") around the copied text. All information sources need to be included in the reference list and as in-text references (this should include the Science Daily article, the journal article, and any other outside information sources you used). Plagiarism will be reported to the proper UMGC authority. Guidance on how to avoid plagiarism can be found here: Avoiding Plagiarism

Submission

Submit your completed paper to the submission folder. When you submit, your paper will be run through Turnitin. Your similarity score should be less than 20%. If the similarity score is too high, you can revise and resubmit up until the deadline.

Before submitting, please review the grading rubric below to ensure that your paper meets all of the requirements.

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