Lab 5: Pre-Lab
Your task in Lab 5 will be to present your research from the diabetes data set. This is not a fromal presentation but more of a class discussion. You'll be asked to evaluate the work we did as class and look for ways to improve one our future projects in Unit 2.
How does science work? What is the role of peer review?
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In Lab 1, we learned a bout the iterative process of scientific exploration, relying on past knowledge as a "jumping off point" for new research questions. This type of deductive reasoning requires a large body of scientific work to be made public and available, and that the work is both valid and reliable.
Watch the Ted Talk from Naomi Oreskes: Why we should trust scientists 
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Do you know enough to evaluate the research done by your peers?
Now, not all types of scientific writing are peer-reviewed. Posters and presentations given at professional conferences are not. These types of scientific communication are often undertaken before the research is completely ready for peer review. Authors and researchers can display their work, and receive valuable feedback from colleagues, that greatly improves the chances of their research passing successfully through the peer review process once their ready for publication.
Technical reports are also rarely peer reviewed. Often, reports like the one you've completed, are created for organizations (governmental or non-profit) and not the scientific community. Research represented in technical reports can be translated into peer review format assuming the methods are valid and reliable. In Lab 5, we will be applying the standards of critical peer review to your report. This will help you practice critical thinking, prepare you to dive into the scientific literature in Unit 2 and improve your overall ability to write in a scientific format.
Technical reports are also rarely peer reviewed. Often, reports like the one you've completed, are created for organizations (governmental or non-profit) and not the scientific community. Research represented in technical reports can be translated into peer review format assuming the methods are valid and reliable. In Lab 5, we will be applying the standards of critical peer review to your report. This will help you practice critical thinking, prepare you to dive into the scientific literature in Unit 2 and improve your overall ability to write in a scientific format.
Read over the Critique Guide This will give you an overview of what to expect during our evaluations in lab.
Read over the Critique Guide This will give you an overview of what to expect during our evaluations in lab.
What will we do in lab and how will we do it?
Lab 5 will proceed in three parts.
Go back and Review Lab 1 for a refresher on the process of science. Review Lab 3 for details on your reports.
1) Oral summaries with questions
Go back and Review Lab 1 for a refresher on the process of science. Review Lab 3 for details on your reports.
1) Oral summaries with questions
- Each group will be asked to summarize their report (<3 min).
- The summary should include: your hypothesis, findings and conclusions.
- The class will then have time to ask questions.
- Every group should have uploaded a copy of their report to the Discussion Board in Backboard, into the "Diabetes Report Draft" Forum (directions in Lab 3 and this Pre-Lab) BEFORE the start of Lab 5.
- To do so: Simply start a new thread in that forum, name it after your group and upload your report draft as a Word.doc only.
- You will organize with another pair/group to review their submission and find it on the forum.
- You will use the Critique Guide and Diabetes Report Peer Scoring Rubric to help with your review.
- You will then upload your completed review into the same thread as the report.
- After receiving the peer evaluation of your report, you will find it in your thread, review it and discuss it with your group.
- You should take this into account along with questions that came up from our discussion.
- You can make any changes you see fit before submission on Blackboard before Lab 6.
Be sure you've discussed who/how you'll present your findings to class with your partner.
Be sure you've discussed who/how you'll present your findings to class with your partner.
Be sure you know who is responsible for submitting your draft to the forum.
Be sure you know who is responsible for submitting your draft to the forum.
If you feel confident with this material, click the bridge icon and navigate to Blackboard to take the LABridge for Lab 4 & 5. Be ready to tested on this Pre-Lab material and make sure you have your Lab Notebook Guide from Lab 4 ready to submit.
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 5: ProtocolIn today's lab you will evaluate the research projects produced by peers and begin research for Unit 2 as time allows.
Exercise I. Oral presentations with questions and group discussion. Exercise II. Peer Review: Share reports and evaluate. Exercise III. Review your feedback |
Lab Objectives: Following today's lab, you should be able to...
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Exercise I. Oral Presentations Q&A
First, each group with have 3 minutes to discuss their report. Following the short oral summary questions will be taken from the class. Each group must ask at least one question. Download the Lab 4 Notebook Guide and review Exercise I. 
Procedure
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Lab 5 Notebook Guide. Click to download.
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Exercise 2: Peer Review
Procedure
- Every group should have uploaded a copy of their report to the Discussion Board in Backboard, into the "Diabetes Report Draft" Forum (directions in Lab 3 and this Pre-Lab).
- Organize with another pair/group to review their submission and find it on the forum.
- Review the Critique Guide from the Pre-Lab before you read their report.
- Download the Diabetes Report Peer Scoring Rubric and use it as your review their work.
- Once you have finished the scoring rubric, save the file, and upload it to the same thread containing their draft report.
Exercise III. Review your feedback
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Your final report is due before Lab 6 (the week of OCT 5-9). Think about turning it in early! You also have a BIOL 120 exam that week!
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Lab 5 BIOL 120 CONNECTIONS Section 1.6: Doing Biology Big Picture 1: How to Think Like a Scientist BioSkill 16: Reading and Citing the Primary Literature |
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