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AP Bio

Formal Research Paper

Detailed Assignment: ApBioPaper2017a.docx 



Instructors: Mrs. Frasco ([email protected]) & Mrs. Tagmire ([email protected])

 

Objective: Students will be able to successfully complete a college level research paper, using two scholarly/peer reviewed sources as support.

 

Due Dates: Annotated Literature Cited due to both teachers Friday 12/16 via email.  Final research paper TBA.

 

Databases Review Video

DatabasesReviewPresentaton.mov

      Watch the video to remind yourself how to navigate and use the school's databases.  Even if you are       comfortable with them, it's smart to refresh your memory.

 

Class Presentation

You will learn and/or review the following portions of this project over two 90-minute periods:

  • Navigating/saving information (school databases)
  • Creating a Literature Cited (annotated and regular)
  • Using in-text citations to support your research
  • Writing an abstract to present your paper
  • Writing a reflection on the process

 

 

Important Documents

Retrieve copies of the documents necessary to complete your lab report here.  They are listed below.  

 

Databases Review and Recommendations

Not all databases will be good matches for this project.  You need 2 scholarly, peer-reviewed articles.  This means stay away from encyclopedia articles and summaries (avoid Facts on File databases, unless you are getting background information).

 

What IS a scholarly or peer-reviewed article?

 Many instructors at the college level will require you use scholarly articles as sources when writing a research paper.  These are articles written by experts in the field.  They are excellent resources for finding out what has been studied or researched on a topic, as well as a place to “pick apart” a detailed Works Cited/bibliography for additional sources.

 

How can you determine if you article is scholarly/peer reviewed?

  1. Check out the chart I’ve handed out, printed from the Meriam Library at California State University, Chico.  It helps pinpoint the differences between popular and scholarly articles.
  2. Limit your search!  When using a database, tell it that you ONLY want academic/scholarly/peer-reviewed articles.  You will still need to evaluate the results.
  3. ASK the media specialist or your teacher.  We do these jobs because we want to help you.
  4. What does “peer reviewed” even mean?  It means that BEFORE the article is published, experts in the field evaluate it. Most scholarly articles are “peer reviewed,” but some are not.  Be careful—your future profs may demand peer reviewed.

 

So, What Databases Should I Use?

  • Academic Search Premier
  • Student Resources in Context

 

USERNAME: haddonhs                PASSWORD: hawks

 

EMAIL YOUR ARTICLES, OR SET UP A USER ACCOUNT!