Lab 3: Pre-Lab

Your task in Lab 3 is to continue with your data analysis from the diabetes data. You will review feedback from your research proposal, continue your statistical analyses and begin working on your technical report.
  • Introduction
  • Do you know enough?
  • What will we do in lab?
  • LABridge
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1) Are you ready to move forward with your research?

For Lab 3 to go well, and for you and your group to get as much work done as possible, please ensure you have the most current version of the following documents:
  • Your group contract from Lab 1
  • Your Research Proposal (Lab Notebook entry for Lab 1)
  • Your Diabetes Data Excel Sheet
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Be sure all these documents are current, saved, and easily accessible. Work on keeping things organized with proper file storage.  You will use this skill for the rest of your life!
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Please review each one to refresh your memory! ​As you do so, make sure you are ready to discuss each one with your group.  You might even use the "review" tab in word to add comments or questions.
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Ensure that you have a laptop or other device for use in lab. Ensure that you have all the right software. You absolutely MUST have access to Microsoft Office: download it for free here. ​The online version is not acceptable.
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You might also want to bring head phones with you to watch the demos in class as needed. They will be available in You Tube.
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Managing your documents and file storage is important and a helpful way to stay organized. You should have a BIOL 121 folder and 3 Unit sub-folders. Under Unit 1, these documents should all be in a folder titled "Diabetes Research."

2) Do you understand enough about correlations?

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Review the content in the comparison table below. If you have ANY questions, use the links in the sidebar to explore these statistics and concepts further. Remember! In Unit 1, we are focusing on the "What is the relationship" side of this table! BUT! You will need to answer questions about BOTH types of tests in the LABridge.

3) What will we do in lab and how will we do it?

Lab 3 will proceed in 3 parts:

1) You will review research proposal feedback with your group. Do you need to make any changes? Did you select the right variables and use the right tests? Do you need to make revisions? You will confer with each and your instructor as needed.
2) You will complete your statistical analyses and your graphing requirements for each hypothesis. All the relevant links, calculators and demos will be provided. 
3) You will begin working on your technical report. You will be provided a scoring rubric and a template.
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​If you feel confident with this material, click the bridge icon in the sidebar and navigate to Blackboard to take the LABridge for week 3. Be ready to submit your Notebook Entry from last week (Word.doc ONLY) and to be tested on this Pre-Lab material.
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​If you feel confident with this material, click the bridge icon and navigate to Blackboard to take the LABridge for Lab 2 & 3. Be ready to tested on this Pre-Lab material and make sure you have your Lab Notebook Guide from Lab 2 ready to submit.
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Click here to get to WKU's blackboard to take your LABridge for this week. Be sure your Notebook Entry from last lab is ready to submit!

Lab 3: Protocol

In today's lab you will work with your group on data analysis and then move on to start your technical report.

​Exercise I. Review Research Proposal Feedback

Exercise II. Continue with Data Analysis

​Exercise III. Begin Working on Your Technical Report 
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Lab Objectives: Following today's lab, you should be able to...
  • Exercise I
  • Exercise II
  • Exercise III (Post Lab)
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Exercise I. Review  & Start Analysis: Run your correlation statistic

​Procedure
  1. Review your group contract. Is everyone still satisfied with this document? Do any changes need to be made? Has everyone been "carrying their weight?" Are there any issues to be discussed?
  2. Review your Research Proposal in your Lab Notebook. You've learned a few new things and reviewed a few new concepts. What type of feedback was provided? Does it still look appropriate? Ask your instructor if you have any lingering questions about your hypotheses, rationale, or variables. Does everyone have the right documents? Does everyone feel confident in your research direction. Does everyone feel confident in the concepts and methods you have used so far?
  3. Open the diabetes data sheet in Excel. Add a tab and name it "Correlations."
  4. Watch the Correlation Calculator Demo in the sidebar. 
  5. After watching, go to the calculator (also in the sidebar) and run your test. You can follow the video along set-by-step if you need to!
  6. Following the test, be sure to copy all the relevant information (as explained in the demo) from the correlation calculator into your "correlation" Excel sheet.
  7. Ensure ALL group members have copies of the data and test results in Excel. 
Correlation Calculator Demo. This YouTube video shows you how to use the Pearson's Correlation online calculator, step-by-step.
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Pearson's Correlation Online Calculator.
FAQ: What results do we report from the correlation test? 
  • Sample size (N)
  • test statistic (r)
  • degrees of freedom (df)
  • p-vale
EX) Among the students of Hogwarts University (N = 345), the number of hours playing Fortnite per week and midterm exam results were negatively correlated (r  = -0.45, df = 78, p < 0.001).

Exercsie II. Create a scatterplot in Excel using your data

Procedure
  1. The correlation test you just performed told you if their was a significant relationship between your variables (p < 0.05), or not. If this is not clear, review the "Do you know enough" section from our Pre-Lab.
  2. The best way to graphically represent these data is through a scatterplot.
  3. If you've never made a scatterplot before in Excel, watch the brief tutorial in the sidebar.
  4. Everyone needs to watch the demo video below, which will will walk you through this process, step-by-step.
  5. Use excel to construct a scatterplot representing your data. If you need some help with this task, please review the demo in the sidebar. 
  6. Download the Lab 3 Notebook Guide in the sidebar.
  7. Complete the guide as directed. Ensure all members have an electronic copy for reference and be ready to upload the Lab 3 Notebook Entry  in the LABridge before we meet again next week.​
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Scatterplot tutorial in Excel. Just watch to 2:08m.
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Lab 3 Notebook Guide. Click to download.

Exercise III. Prepare Your Technical Report

Procedure: Complete your Technical Report
Formatting Guidelines:
  • 12pt. font with 1 in. margins
  • Graphs: no title, descriptive captions go underneath, include legend as necessary, all axes are labeled, easy to read
  • All text left justified
  • Include a title and list all co-authors
  • Include headings in template
  • You cannot submit your report in "outline" format.
  • All other formatting choices are up to you. Just be clean and consistent.
​Resources:
  1. ​Please review THIS PAGE on quality scientific writing.
  2. Open and review the report template below. 
  3. Open and review the report scoring guide below.​
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The Department of Biology at WKU strives to create a dynamic, experiential learning environment, and to be a destination department for competitive undergraduate and graduate students, involving them in the process of science and preparing them for success in a global society. This website is intended solely for use of BIOL 121 students. The information here is copyrighted or within "Fair Use" under the scholarship or education exemption.