You used the scientific method to design research studies (basic and applied). Now you will select one of them (either the basic or the applied one) and build upon it using the skills you have developed since then. You are going to write the ‘introduction and background’ and the ‘method’ section of your study. Make sure that you review peer reviewed articles so that you can model your sections after those in peer reviewed journal articles. The background section of your study should be supported by at least 10 peer reviewed journal articles. Be sure to also specify your experimental and null hypothesis. In the method section you will need to identify the methods of data collection, the participants, and the procedure for your study.  

At the conclusion of these two sections you need to write a rationale for your study that includes the following:

• Analyze the types of sources used and how these choices may affect results.
• Justify why your chosen methods of data collection are the optimal choice.
• Discuss what type of approach you chose (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, or both) and evaluate why you chose this approach.

Please provide your answers in a 3- to 4-page Microsoft Word document.

Support your responses with examples.

Cite any sources in APA format.

Write an introduction and background section for your study that incorporates at least 10 peer reviewed journal articles.

Define the experimental and null hypotheses.

Write a method section that explains how you are going to collect the data, who the participants are going to be, and what you are going to ask your participants to do.

Analyzed the types of sources used and how these choices may affect results.

Justify why your chosen methods of data collection are the optimal choice.

Discuss what type of approach you chose (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, or both) and evaluate why you chose this approach.

Used correct spelling, grammar, professional vocabulary, and APA format..

Scientific Methods

The Scientific Method is the basis of all scientific investigations.  Its iterative, or repetitive, aspect is especially important:  scientists are constantly modifying theories until all observations

can be explained. Please take a few minutes to read the following introduction to the scientific method, including some of its limitations.
Wolfs, FLH (n.d.). Introduction to the Scientific Method. Accessed February 1, 2012, at: http://teacher.pas.rochester.edu/phy_labs/appendixe/appendixe.html
After reading through this site, compare and contrast the terms, “hypothesis” and “theory.”
Is the process by which a person develops a hypothesis different than the process by which a person develops a theory?  Explain your answer.  What do you think about the hypothesis

presented in the PBS video that you watched about the origins of the first cellular molecules?

MOD2
What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?  Is one more efficient than the other?  Why?
MOD 3
What characteristics do plants and fungi share?  What characteristics differentiate a plant from a fungus?  Which evolved first?
MOD4
For this module’s discussion, read this short article about the discovery of DNA in BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2906695.stm.
What is the controversy around the history of the discovery of the structure of DNA?  Who do you think should receive credit?  How does giving credit only to Watson and Crick reflect on the

Scientific Method in general?

MOD5
For this module’s discussion, go to the NOAA website: http://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/
Investigate the role of restoration in the response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.  Where in the overall process of the response does restoration play a role?  Who is responsible for it?  What

is the NOAA’s role?  For your second post, read some of the proposed strategies by clicking on the icons on the map provided at http://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/restoration/early-

restoration/early-restoration-projects-atlas/. Comment on whether or not you think restoration is necessary, and what you think will work.

MOD 6  Reflection on course

Describe how you improved your knowledge, skills, abilities, and yourself in this session through this course.

Evaluate the work you did during the session for the class and explain ways you could have performed better.

dentify topics you did not understand or successfully implement and suggest how to improve the course material on those topics.

Identify ways to measure the future effects of what you have learned in this course or your future progress/improvement.