Riverside High School Research Biology Research Laboratory Notebook and Scientific Argumentation

If you have built a perfect demonstration do not remove all traces of the scaffolding by which you have raised itClark Maxwell

This year in Research Biology you will be participating in several inquiry-based, guided research experiences. These experiences will help you to develop your research skill in a manner that is similar to what you will experience in AP level science courses and in college level professional scientific research.

Your Research Based Activities comprise 25% or your Biology grade. Most Research Labs will have the following components:

A research notebook (50 pts) Scientific Argumentation document (turned in by TurnItIn.com) (50 pts) Project/Activities (50 pts)

Research Notebook

A research notebook is incredibly valuable tool that every researcher relies on to record the progress of their research. Not only does it include the data collected, but it also allows the researchers to record their findings, detail observations, develop new understandings of scientific processes, provide an area for supporting materials (recent articles or findings) and make notes on the experimental design and research model. Importantly, a well-kept notebook provides a reliable reference for writing up materials and methods and results for a study.

Experimental Design and Cognitive Apprenticeship Components. Experimental Design is the methods of setting up and conducting an experiment and Cognitive Apprenticeship means “learning through guided experiences”. Your research notebook will demonstrate your learning and understanding of both biology content and science research skills.

The research notebook will be collected for feedback and grading after the conclusion of each guided research experience. This grade is to provide feedback on your progress on conducting research in this class. Your diligence with keeping up this notebook will make your larger research assignments much easier to complete and will improve your ability to conduct scientific research. In order to receive full credit for these components of your research notebook, each must be included, clearly labeled and legible. Remember, a research notebook will not help you at all if you cannot read your writing!!

How should I organize my lab notebook?

Table of Contents:Record all entries in the table of contents as you go along. You can organize it anyway you like but it is advisable to include multiple levels in a table of contents, that is, indicate where a new study starts and include subheadings for specific parts of a study, methods, sets of data, etc. The idea is to enable someone (such as a supervisor, grader, or yourself) to find anything quickly and efficiently. List each set of entries with dates and page numbers. A grader should be able to find any specific entry quickly, without flipping through pages.

Page 1 – Title of the project, your name, institute at which you are conducting research.Example: Research Biology, 2016-2017

Jane/john Doe Riverside High School, Leesburg, VA 20157

Page 2- Table of contents at the top of the page. Then sub-divided into 3 columns: Date, Ttile, Page Number.Example: Table of Contents

Date Title Page Number9/5/2015 Seed Date 39/5/2015 Data Chart of Seed Data 59/7/2015 Model of Plant and Seeds 2

When you start a lab in your lab notebook, include the following:

1. Date – clearly label the date at the top left corner of EACH page and document it in the table of contents.

2. Page Number – clearly label the page number at the top right corner of each page and document it in the table of contents.

3. Lab Title – in CAPS or underline at the top of every page related to that experiment..Examples:

o The relationship between (INDEPENDENT VARIABLE) and (DEPENDENT VARIABLE)o The effect to (INDEPENDENT VARIABLE) on (DEPENDENT VARIABLE)o Are seeds alive?o What factors influence tree growth?

4. Research Questions: What is the CLAIM of the experiment?5. Research Model Development – you may take notes in class on the development of our research

question for each lab experience. This will include a concept map or development of a model as we narrow down the research question to something testable in our laboratory.

6. Key Content Concepts and Student Understandings – Write the major concepts that each research experience will address. Write 1-2 sentences about why you think the lab is important to our understanding of science. This section provides you a place to record the “AHA!!’ moments as you conduct research. Here are some examples of what to include:

Definitions of new words. Describing a new procedure or process Describing and recording how to calculate statistical analysis Sketching a primitive graph; experimental set-ups etc.

7. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN COMPONENTS Hypothesis – Write 1-2 sentences about what you think will happen in the experiment. Identify

your controls and your variables (IV and DV). A hypothesis is usually a one-sentence statement that says how the problem will be solved and the expected result. A hypothesis can be written in an “If {I do this___, then {this will happen} ___’ format. The statement after “if” is the independent variable, and the statement after “then” is the dependent variable.

o An alternative hypothesis (HA) is one that states actually what you will be testing.o A null hypothesis (H0) show that there is no difference between treatments, and that all

differences are due to chance alone.o As scientists, we either ACCEPT or REJECT the Null Hypothesis.

Independent Variable with Experimental groups Dependent Variable – with correct units of measurement Control Constants

8. Materials and Methods – you may attach the experimental protocol if given to you into your notebook. If you are not given a procedure than make a list of the materials that you used (include quantities and sizes in metric units) and specifically write the steps that you took to complete the experiment. You will be developing, writing and revisiting your own procedure for the independent project in this notebook as well.

9. Data – collect qualitative (non-numerical data ex. Color, texture, etc.) and quantitative data numerical data (ex. Height, weight, etc.) in your lab notebook. You may organize your data into a table. You may also insert any pictures from your experiment here.

10.Table – label (TABLE 1:) and give your table a title (all Caps or underline) and include the appropriate units

11.Graph – A hand drawn graph of statistical data. The IV will be on the x-axis and the DV will be on the y-axis. Be sure to always include the following: A title that describes the data being displayed, a legend/key to identify lines or bars (if needed), label each axis and include units, be sure to use the proper type of graph (line, bar, pie, etc.), and always be sure the graph is neat and easy to read.**Place your table, then your graph on a single page. Do not put anything else on this page. It will keep you notebook neater!

12.Descriptive Statistics – should include the following calculations for the data and collected in the table or separately:

Mean Median Mode Range Standard Deviation Standard Error If a statistical test is needed refer to the following websites when deciding which

statistical test to pic and directions for performing statistical test respectively:o http://faculty.uca.edu/johnc/statistical%20test.jpg o http://www.graphpad.com/quickcalcs/index.cfm

13. Results – in a paragraph, include the following:

Topic Sentence – what was the lab about, what was being tested? Identify the IV and the DV State whether the data (DV) was quantitative or qualitative.. Include the numbers for the means for each group. Ex: “The means for organic and inorganic

fertilizer were 23.5 cm and 35.6 cm, respectively.” Do include units. Refer to your graph. A description of the statistics done (what tests did you do? t-Test?) What were the results from the statistical tests done? Provide as many values with units as

you can. Refer to the means in your table (Table 1) Make sure your table is labeled Table 1 (or 2…) State the null hypothesis (remember this means that the IV will have no affect on the DV) State whether the null hypothesis was accepted or rejected. Be specific! A few extra words can make the results easier for readers to understand, so use

them. Do not use the word “it.” State whether the alternative hypothesis was supported or not supported. The alternative

hypothesis is your original hypothesis – Make sure you review your original hypothesis and do not change it to match your experimental outcome.

Grading Rubric for Research Biology Lab Notebooks:

Lab Notebook Rubric (50 points)

Item PointsTable of Contents 1Page Number and Date at top of every page 1Title in ALL CAPS or underline 1Research Question 5Research Model Generation 5Key Concepts/Student Understandings 5Experimental Design:Hypothesis (HA) and Null Hypothesis (Ho) 2IV (independent variable) with Experimental Groups 2DV (dependent variable with units) 1Control 1Constants 1Experimental Components:Materials and Methods 5Raw Data Tables 5Graph – Title, axes labeled, proper type of graph 5

Descriptive Statistics – mean, mode, etc., accept or reject HO 5

Results 5

Total Points 50

Scientific Argumentation (50 points)

Student assignment Directions:

OBJECTIVE: Students will examine the results of the research lab and provide a scientific argument to draw conclusions from the data. Students will fill out and turn in the Argumentation Graphic Organizer.

- Make a claim (Research Questions)- Provide 3 pieces of evidence - Draw conclusion based on claim (reasoning)- Write a conclusion- Cite sources in APA format

1. Students will use the Scientific Argumentation Graphic Organizer to summarize the findings from the experiment.

2. Students will use the Scientific Argumentation Assignment template (found on VISION) to submit their assignment to TurnItIn.com

a. TurnItin.com Steps: You will need to create an account and then use the information below to “sign up” for Research Biology

i. URL: www.turnitin.comii. Class ID:

iii. Password: iv.

COMPONENTS OF THE SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENT ASSIGNMENT:

MAKE A CLAIM: state the research question and hypothesis Provide 3 PIECES OF EVIDENCE: what is the justification from the results

section with the reasoningExample: Water increased plant height (evidence)

Plants cells need water and water is a requirement of photosynthesis (reasoning)

Conclusions – In the conclusion refer back to the hypotheses and see if the hypotheses were supported by the data or not. Mention to either accept or reject the null hypothesis (HO). Discuss the significance of data. Do a statistical test if needed. Also, mention any sources of error, and things to do differently for next time.

Start with an introductory sentence. Make a claim – was the null hypothesis supported or not supported (never

proved!!). It’s okay if the statistics do not support your alternative hypothesis(ese) – it is still a result worth sharing!

Use the statistical data (means, t-test, p-value, etc) to support/explain your claim and discuss the significance of data.

Explain why the independent variable caused the change in the dependent variable – use what you’ve learned in class or in your own research to explain the science behind what is being observed.

Also, mention any sources of error, and things to do differently for next time. Finally, answer your initial research question in a final statement. Add a sentence about Further Questions or Areas to Explore – What did you

learn from this experience and what new questions would you like to explore that are related to the current model

References to Readings and Resources – this section will help you build your bibliography/reference section and will help you keep supplemental information organized. Examples include textbook chapters, article titles, and web links to scholarly sources (USE ONLY APA FORMAT)!!!! Here are some internet sources to use as a reference:http://www.easybib.com/ or http://www.citationmatchine.net/

Here are some scholarly sources to explore for references to labs done in class:www.scholor.google.com/ or www.sciencedirect.com or

www.nature.com/scitable

Argumentation Graphic Organizer

Problem/Question:

Original Claim:

Evidence Reasoning1

2

3

Conclusion:

SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENTATION ASSIGNEMNT FOR LAB: ___________________________________________Name ___________________________________________________ Date _______________________ Block________

Claim

Evidence 1: Reasoning 1:

Evidence 2: Reasoning 2:

Evidence 3: Reasoning 3:

Conclusion?Argument:

Citations

1.

2.

3.

General Rubric for Biology Scientific Arguments (50 points)0 1 2 3- Target

Claim Intelligible Poorly written and not

understandableClearly written but not understandable

Understandable but not clearly written

Clearly written and understandable

Accurate No alignment with the evidence

Aligns with some evidence

Aligns with most evidence, but not all

Aligns with the evidence

Relevant Does not answer the research question

Answers the research question

Identifiable

Is not stated Claim unclear Implicitly stated Explicitly stated

Addresses inferential distance*

*number of factors can be part of

this

Does not explain how closely the evidence connects to the claim

Inaccurately explains how closely the evidence connects to the claim

Accurately explains how closely the evidence connects to the claim but does not justify

Accurately explains and justifies how closely the evidence connects to the claim

Evidence Empirical*

*does not apply to

conceptual arguments expanding

theory

No evidence from observation or experimentation

Some evidence comes from observation or experimentation or reliable research; mostly opinion or unreliable evidence

Most evidence comes from observation or experimentation or reliable research; some opinion or unreliable evidence

All evidence comes from observation or experimentation; From reliable research;No opinions

Statistical analysis

No statistical analysis Chooses inappropriate tests

Chooses appropriate tests but assumptions are misinterpreted or ignored

Analysis is justified; considers assumptions and chooses appropriate tests

Relevant to Claim

No evidence is useful and meaningful for supporting the claim

Some evidence is useful and meaningful for supporting the claim

Most evidence is useful and meaningful for supporting the claim

All evidence is useful and meaningful for supporting the claim

Sufficient No evidence to support claim

Weak or limited evidence to support claim

Convincing amount of evidence to support claim

Valid No evidence is accurate because it does not measure what it claims to measure

Some evidence is accurate because this evidence measures what it claims to measure

Most evidence is accurate because this evidence measures what it claims to measure

All evidence is accurate because this evidence measures what it claims to measure

Reliable*

*for both constructing from original data and evaluating evidenceAdjust for context

Not reproducible Consistently reproducible;can find multiple reliable resources

Reasoning Appropriate

Lack of logic in linkages and incorrect interpretation of appropriate scientific principles linking evidence and claim

Lack of logic in linkages but correct interpretation of appropriate scientific principles linking evidence and claim

Logical linkages and incorrect interpretation of appropriate scientific principles linking evidence and claim

Logical linkages and correct interpretation of appropriate scientific principles linking evidence and claim

Established and/or currently accepted

Does not use accepted scientific understandings

Uses outdated understanding of phenomena by the scientific community

Uses most up-to-date understandings of phenomena by the scientific community

Sufficient No reasoning Reasoning is not provided for each piece of evidenceORReasoning provided is not convincing;

does not provide rebuttals

Reasoning provided for each piece of evidence; reasoning provided is convincing; does not provide rebuttals

Reasoning provided for each piece of evidence; Reasoning provided is convincing; Provides rebuttals that address the possible counter claims

Citations No citations Citations not APA

3 citations 8pts

Graph Choice ChartWhat question would you like to explore? Write your question as a complete sentence.