In a 4-5 page paper (not including title page or references), you will a) analyze and evaluate the science or
research found in a new or recent (within 5 years) scientific study or experiment or research b) design a
research proposal with sound scientific/research methods and c) reflect on your own learning that has
occurred. Your paper will incorporate these points:
A. Analysis and Evaluation of a Research Study
- a summary of the type of research, experiment, scientific information or data the scientists conducted
or collected.
- an analysis of how the scientists conducted the study or experiment, or collected the data.
Include the following in your analysis:
How large or complete was the study?
How much data did they collect?
Over what period of time did they collect it?
Where was the study conducted?
Who or what was the focus of the study (e.g. describe the group of people, plants or animals)?
Who conducted the study? Did a group sponsor the study who had an interest in the outcome? If so, what
was that interest?
Was there an appropriate control group? If not, why not, and, if so, how so?
How did they analyze the data to reach their conclusion?
- an evaluation of the conclusions the scientists made.
Include the following in your evaluation:
Were the conclusions logical, convincing, and appropriate to the actual way the experiment was
performed and the data collected?
Justify your evaluation by identifying specific elements of the analysis completed in #2 (above), and
connecting them to information about proper scientific research from your book or other credible
sources.