Trace the Scientific Method in a Primary Scientific Article
• recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to solve problems
• weigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific method.
• Please review one of the provided Science Daily articles and the corresponding peer-reviewed scholarly written article below.
1. Identify and describe the steps of the scientific method. Which observations do you think the scientists made leading up to this research study? Given your understanding of the experimental design, formulate a specific hypothesis that is being tested in this experiment. If a hypothesis is stated, please rewrite it IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Describe the experimental design including control and treatment group(s), and dependent and independent variables. Summarize the results and the conclusion (50 points)
2. Criticize the research described. Things to consider: Were the test subjects and treatments relevant and appropriate? Was the sample size large enough? Were the methods used appropriate? Can you think of a potential bias in a research study like this? What are the limitations of the conclusions made in this research study? Address at least two of these questions in your critique of the research study (20 points).
3. Discuss the relevance of this type of research, both for the world in general and for you personally (20 points). Proper grammar will count for 10 points.
4. Write a paper with title page, introduction, paragraphs addressing the questions, conclusion and references. You must write in your own words and paraphrase information from the selected information sources, addressing each of the questions for your chosen topic. Your paper should consist of less than 10% direct quotes. Your paper should be 500 – 750 words, excluding references and title page. Use APA style for references, see https://www.umuc.edu/library/libhow/apa_tutorial.cfm
Article options (choose one): I CHOSE THE BELOW ON MULTIVITAMINS
Multivitamins in pregnancy may be linked to lower autism risk in children
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171004190457.htm. An international research team set out to assess whether nutrient supplementation during pregnancy is associated with reduced risk of autism spectrum disorder, with and without intellectual disability.
Journal Reference: DeVilbiss, E. A., Magnusson, C., Gardner, R. A.,Rai, D., Newschaffer, C.J. Lyall, K., Dalman, C. Lee, B.K., Antenatal nutritional supplementation and autism spectrum disorders in the Stockholm youth cohort: population based cohort study. BMJ, 2017 Oct 4;359:j4273. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.j4273
Submission
Submit in assignment folder by due date stated in the course schedule.
Grading
Your paper will be graded based on the following criteria:
Excellent (90 – 100%) Good (75 – 89%) Adequate (50 – 74%) Unacceptable (0-49%)
The Scientific Method
50 points All steps of the scientific method in the provided research study is clearly and accurately identified and described.
45-50 points One of the steps in the scientific method in the provided research study is not described and/or minor issues with clarity and accuracy in identifying and describing the steps of the scientific method.
38-44 points Two of the steps in the scientific method in the provided research study are not described and/or major issues with clarity and accuracy in identifying and describing the steps of the scientific method.
25-37 points Most or all of the steps in the scientific method is not described.
0-24 points
Critique of Research
20 points Clear, accurate, relevant and well organized critique of research, commenting on at least two issues.
18-20 points Minor issues with clarity, accuracy, relevance or organization in critique of research.
15-17 points Major issues with clarity, accuracy, relevance or organization in critique of research, and/or commenting on only one issue.
10-14 points No or minimal critique of research.
0-9 points
Discussion of Relevance
20 points Discussion of the relevance of this research study, both to the world and to you personally, is clear and accurate.
18-20 points Minor issues with clarity or accuracy in the discussion of the relevance of this research study to the world and to you personally.
15-17 points Major issues with clarity and accuracy in the discussion of the relevance of this research study or missing relevance to world or to you personally.
10-14 points No or minimal discussion of relevance to world or you personally.
0-9 points
Grammar/ Spelling
10 points Fewer than 3 minor spelling/grammatical errors
9-10 points 4-8 spelling/grammatical errors
7-8 points 9-12 spelling/grammatical errors
5-6 point More than 13 spelling /grammatical errors.
0-4 points
