Work Day 1

• Today we will:

– Discuss scientific writing

– Practice use testing hypotheses with statistics

– Work on writing proposals in groups

Quiz Questions Commonly Missed

#1) Features of adaptation.

Why are each of the following true?A)The trait is caused by natural selection

B)The trait must be genetically determined

C)The trait can enhance the ability of an individual to cope with its environment

D)The process always takes more than one generation

Quiz Questions Commonly Missed

#2) Convergent Evolution.

Define the following:A)Coevolution

B)Convergent Evolution

Quiz Questions Commonly Missed

#2) Convergent Evolution.

Define the following:A)Coevolution

B)Convergent Evolution

C)Speciation

D)Maladaptation

E)Macroevolution

Both species exert selective pressures on the other causing evolution of trait(s) in each species in response to traits in the other species.

Ex: MutualismPredator-prey dynamics

Quiz Questions Commonly Missed

#2) Convergent Evolution.

Define the following:A)Coevolution

B)Convergent EvolutionEvolution of same/similar trait NOT due to relatedness, instead due to similar selective pressures (environments)

Ex: aloe & agave plantsother exs?

Aloe Agave

Quiz Questions Commonly Missed

#4) Hypothesis vs. Prediction

Hypothesis: Potential answer to question/observed phenomenon.

Prediction: Expected relationship between variables in hypothesis.

Quiz Questions Commonly Missed

#4) Hypothesis vs. Prediction

Hypothesis: Potential answer to question/observed phenomenon.

Prediction: Expected relationship between variables in hypothesis.

Q: Why do leaves of deciduous trees in the temperate zone change color in fall?

H or P?: Day length affects the production of chlorophyll(green pigment) via photosynthesis.

H or P?: As day length decreases, production of chlorophylldecreases, which results in a loss of green color.

Quiz Questions Commonly Missed

#5) Count vs. Continuous

Count data = whole numbers

ex: # of events, animals, plants, etc.

Continuous data = measures that vary along a continuum

numbers with decimal points

ex: height of tree, mass of animal

Objectives & Activities

Today we will:

• Understand how to write a proposal through discussion & critique

• Check our understanding of statistics

• Make progress on writing group research project proposals

Parts of a Journal Article

Parts of a journal article

• Abstract

• Introduction

• Materials and Methods

• Results

• Discussion

Proposal

Introduction

• Establishing context– summarizing research

• State your purpose– hypothesis, question, or problem

• Briefly explain your rationale and possible outcomes

Materials and Methods

• Explain how you carried out your study– Organism studied– Description of the site– Experimental design– How data were analyzed

• Do not include common supplies (i.e. test tubes, pipettes, nets, etc.)

Results

• Objectively present your key results WITHOUT interpretation

• Organized around your Tables and or Figures

Discussion

• Objective is to provide interpretation of your results and support your conclusions.

• Explain the significance of your results.

• You might discuss – alternate hypotheses – future studies– how your results fit in the broader literature

Example Proposal Discussion

• Discuss in your group what worked/didn’t work (5 min)

• Groups report out

– 1st person: 1 thing that worked & why

– 2nd person: 1 thing to improve & why

– We’ll do 2 rounds so everyone will have a chance to speak

Constructing an Introduction

Article Analysis Feedback

• Paraphrase instead of quoting

• Use active voice more

• Avoid “I think”, “I believe”

• See pgs 194-196 for exact citation expectations

• In science, we support hypotheses; we do not prove hypotheses

Practicing Statistics (up to 30 min)

Materials:• Pgs. 121-125• Excel sheet of data

- Work as a group.

- Each person will complete pgs 123-125 to submit by end of class.

- For guidance, use pgs. 172-186.

Graphs must include:• Title• Axis labels, #s, units

Conclusion must include:• Statistical & Biological

conclusion using test name & p-value (except for Regression, use R2)

• Is there evidence for a relationship or difference?

Ex: Average tree height does not differ between trees in locations A and B because our calculated p-value of 0.156 from a t-test is greater than the critical value of p=0.05.

Write Proposals

• Use pages 143-150

• Specific requirements on pages 144-145

• If you like, try GoogleDocs or Etherpad

Announcements

• Proposals due at beginning of next class

• Read Lab 10: Functional Response – pgs. 102-110