Exercise 1:
You have conducted a study on the numbers of robin (Erithacus rubecula) chicks successfully fledging and leaving the nest and have collected the following data.
Males: 47 of 175 fledged successfully.
Females: 33 of 247 fledged successfully.
You are interested in determining whether there is a difference in the success of male and female chicks.
Questions:
a) What is your null hypothesis (H0). (2 marks)
b) What is the appropriate statistical analysis to test H0? (2 marks)
c) What are the results of your analysis? (4 marks)
d) What conclusion do you draw? (2 marks)
Exercise 2:
You are conducting an experiment that investigates the effect of 5 different fertilisers on the yield of wheat. You have obtained the following data:
Fertiliser Yield (tonnes)
1 15 9 4 7 11
2 25 21 19 22 17
3 17 23 20 18 16
4 10 13 16 18 12
5 16 12 12 15 19
Questions:
a) What is your null hypothesis? (2 marks)
b) What is an appropriate statistical test to test H0? (2 marks)
c) What preliminary test must be carried out? What are the results of this test? (5 marks)
d) What are the results of your analyses? (5 marks)
e) What conclusion(s) do you draw? (6 marks)
Exercise 3:
A physiological study has investigated the energy used by birds over a range of temperatures.
Temperature (oC) Calories
0 25
4 23
10 24
18 19
26 15
34 14
Use regression analysis to determine whether there is a linear relationship between Temperature and Energy used.
Questions:
a) Which is the dependent variable and which is the independent variable? (2 marks)
b) Produce a scatter plot showing the regression line, making sure that you fully label the axes correctly (Copy & Paste). (5 marks)
c) Write down the regression equation. (2 marks)
d) Using the equation, how many calories would you predict would be used at a temperature of 20oC? (3 marks)
e) What is your value for R2? What does this indicate? (4 marks)
f) What is the slope of the regression line? Is it significantly different to zero? (4 marks)
Exercise 4:
You are investigating the white cell counts of patients before and after suffering from leukaemia. You have collected samples from 15 patients, with samples collected before and after recovery. The following counts were obtained (number of cells x109 per litre):
Before
After
20 21
15 16
10 10
5 4
20 22
15 15
10 12
5 7
20 20
15 15
10 11
5 5
20 22
15 14
10 10
Questions:
a) What is your null hypothesis? (2 marks)
b) What is the appropriate parametric statistical test to test H0? Show that it is appropriate to use a parametric test. (4 marks)
c) Produce interval plots for the 2 groups showing 95% confidence intervals. (3 marks)
d) What are the results of your parametric analyses? (3 marks)
e) What conclusions do you draw? (2 marks)
f) What results do you get if you repeat this using the appropriate non-parametric test? (4 marks)
g) Are your conclusions the same? (2 marks)
Biological Research Skills - Literature Review Mark Scheme
Degree Class Mark Level of Performance and Grade Descriptor
1st 90-100 Outstanding
The focus and purpose is very clear. A complete systematic and accurate review of the literature; exceptionally well organised and clearly structured providing both breadth and depth in several areas.
Critical, comparative and constructive comments on
all observations, with no ‘loose ends’ (unexplained
observations or unjustified claims and speculations).
Considerable evidence of advanced literature searching and
original or innovative thinking.
Excellent use made of data tables, maps figures etc.
Excellent referencing via the Harvard system.
1st 80-89 Excellent
The focus and purpose is very clear. A comprehensive systematic and accurate account of the review of the literature; exceptionally well organised and clearly structured providing both breadth and depth in several areas.
An excellent balance of the scope of the work
Critical and comparative comments on all observations, with no ‘loose ends’.
Considerable evidence of extended reading and some original or innovative thinking.
Excellent use made of data tables, maps figures etc.
Excellent referencing via the Harvard system.
1st 70-79 Very Good
The focus and purpose is clear.
The assignment; exceptionally well organised and
clearly presented.
A wide-ranging systematic and accurate
review of the literature; exceptionally well organised and clearly structured providing both breadth and some depth..
An excellent balance of the scope of the work
Critical and comparative comments on all
observations, with no ‘loose ends’.
Considerable evidence of extensive reading and
some original or innovative thinking.
Good use made of data tables, maps figures etc.
Excellent referencing via the Harvard system.
2.1 60-69 Good
The focus and purpose is very clear. A systematic and largely accurate account of the assignment; well organised and presented. Reasonable comments on all observations, and only a few ‘loose ends’
Evidence of some extensive reading and some original or innovative thinking.
Moderate use made of data tables, maps figures etc.
Good referencing via the Harvard system.
2.2 50-59 Fair
A systematic account of the assignment, reasonably presented.
Comments on most observations, mainly
reasonable, but with several ‘loose ends’.
Little evidence of extensive reading or of any original
or innovative thinking.
Limited use made of data tables, maps figures etc.
Moderate referencing via the Harvard system.
3 40-49 Adequate
An unsystematic account of the assignment/task.
Few comments on the observations with many
‘loose ends’.
No evidence of extensive reading.
Limited use made of data tables, maps figures etc.
Moderate referencing via the Harvard system.
Fail 30-39 Unsatisfactory
An unsystematic or incomplete account of the
assignment.
Very few comments on the observations with many
‘loose ends’.
No evidence of further reading.
Poor use made of data tables, maps figures etc.
Moderate referencing via the Harvard system.
Fail 20-29 Poor
An unsystematic, incomplete and inaccurate account
of the assignment.
Very few comments on the observations with many
‘loose ends’.
No evidence of further reading.
Poor use made of data tables, maps figures etc.
Poor referencing via the Harvard system.
Fail 10-19 Very Poor
An unsystematic, incomplete and inaccurate account
of the assignment.
No comments on the observations.
No evidence of further reading.
Poor use made of data tables, maps figures etc.
Poor referencing via the Harvard system.
Fail 0-9 Extremely Poor
No meaningful account provided.
Additional information which may be used in assessment/feedback
Excellent Very Good Good Moderate Poor
Background – historical aspects of the subject (to include key references).
Main issues relating to the topic (What evidence is there to indicate that the topic is of concern/importance – supported by references).
Strategies can be utilised to improve the situation (eg pros and cons of different approaches. Supported by references)
Future developments and likely outcomes (- supported by references)
Structure
Referencing
Presentation marking.
Good Moderate poor Comments Mark
Introduction and explanation of subject area (10)
Use of visual aids – Clarity, Text, Use of diagrams photos etc. Key information (20)
Clarity of delivery - speed, volume, tone, use of notes (20)
Relevance and quality of information presented (30)
Ability to highlight key points (10)
Ability to answer questions (10)
TOTAL
%
Sample Solution