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GCE Biology 2008

Unit 3- Research Skills

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A brief overview

Students will present a written report of between1500 and 2000 words, which will be marked bythe teacher.

The report will be of non-practical research intoa biological topic.

This need not be related to the specificationcontent.

The issue addressed is intended to bring astudent into contact with a real-life example ofbiology in use.

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What will I be assessed on?

Students will be assessed on their ability to

describe the biological based methods and

processes in the context of a selected

problem or issue;

identify the relevant applications of

biology;

use information or arguments from their

research and communicate clearly.

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Research skills

Identify a biological problem

Try to come up with an appropriate solution

Consider the implications of the solution

Examine the benefits and risks of this solution

Look at some alternative solution(s)

Critically look at and then use any source

material Attempt to communicate ideas effectively

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Assessment Criteria

The report has at total of 40 marks

There are 4 distinct sections to the report

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Biological Methods and Processes used

1. Describe the biological methods and processes used

in a chosen area of biology in the context of a problem or

question identified during a visit made or issue

researched

Maximum 12 marks

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Statement of the problem

State the biological problem that is being

addresses.

Precisely what is being looked at

Eg. For a study of cardiovascular disease, it

could be something specific like the use of

stem cells in some treatments

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Biological Methods and processes

Describe in reasonable detail what

methods or procedures biologists are

using to solve the problem that has been

identified

Eg. Some animals in captivity might show

sterotypical behaviour due to boredome-

what do zoos do to try and minimise this?

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Biological methods and processes-

effective?

A description alone of the methods used to solvethe problem are not enough

Consider just how effective they are- do they

work? How could they be improved? Look at some specific examples or collect some

data for analysis

Eg. If the zoos provided enrichment activities for

some animals, how effective are they? Whichanimals do they focus on? What do other zoosdo?

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Applications and implications of the

biology

Identify applications and implications of

the biology encountered within the context

of the issue researched

12 marks

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Applications and implications

For the actual biology associated with your

stated problem, you must also identify and

describe at least two implications (ethical,

social, economic or environmental)

They must be relevant

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Benefits and risks/ advantages and

limitations

An analytical and critical discussion

Eg. If looking at the therapeutic use of stemcells, as well as considering how effective

their use is, what about side effects or

problems?

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Alternatives

Needs to be a discussion

Look critically at other alternatives. Are

there any?

Eg. Are there alternative treatments to the

use of stem cells for a variety of diseases?

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Source Material

Use information or arguments obtained

from three or more sources (including at

least one web based and one not web-

based) when researching the issue

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Source Material

The sources material should be current

Eg. Scientific journals

Make sure that any quotes or pieces

used are identified clearly

You should refer to your sources in your

text

Make sure there is a proper bibliography

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Evaluation

Evaluate in reasonable detail at least two

pieces of source material

Can the information be trusted?

Do the research biologists agree?

When stating whether your sources are

valid or not, give the evidence

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Communication

Communicate clearly, concisely and

logically with appropriate use of visuals

4 marks

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Communication

Spelling, punctuation and grammar areimportant

Presentation must be clear

Use must use technical language Try writing for an audience- dont just write an

essay

Dont go over 2000 words

Make it interesting by using visual materialssuch as graphics, pictures, tables and diagrams They must be relevant

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Refer to diagrams or pictures in the text

Use sub-headings to break up the text

Wh t t i th ?

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What topics are there? Acid rain, ADHD, Ageing, Alcohol, Algae, Alien species, Aloe Vera, Altitude effects, Alzheimers,Amazon, Anabolic Steroids, Angelman syndrome, Angina, Angioplasts, Animal testing, Antigens,Anorexia, Anthrax, Antibiotic Resistance, Arthritis, Artificial insemination, Artificial heart, Aspirin, Asthma,Atherosclerosis, Atkins diet, Back pain, Bananas, Barteres syndrome, Battery hens, Beauty Therapy,Better cattle, Binge drinking, Biofuels, Biological warfare, Biopiracy, Bioterrorism, Bird Flu, Blood, Blooddoping, Blood substitutes, Blood transfusion, Brazil nuts, Breast cancer, Bronchitis, BSE, Bulimia, Burns,Butterflies, Caffeine, Cancer, Cannabis, Cataract, Cervical Cancer, Cetacean Strandings, Chameleons,CHD, Chemotherapy, Chinese foot binding, Chromosome defect, CJD, Cloning, Cocaine &gastroschism, Cod, Common cold, Conjoined twins, Conservation, Controlled environments, Coral,Coronary Heart Disease, Creatine, Creatinine supplements, Crohns disease, CVD, Cystic Fibrosis, Dairycattle, Deforestation, Deodorants, Depression, Designer babies, Diabetes, Dieting, Digestion, Dinosaurs,DNA fingerprinting, Doping, Downs Syndrome, Drug trials, Ecosystems, Ecstasy, El Nio, Elephants,Epigenetics, Epilepsy, Erythropoietin, Evolution of human race, Evolution, Exercise, Extinction, Facetransplants, Feline hyperthyroidism, Fire Ants, Fish, Flu, Folic acid, Forensic Science, Fox gloves, Freeradicals in food, Frozen Ark, Gene insertion, Gene Therapy, Genetic drift, Genetic engineering, Germwarfare, Glandular fever, Global Warming, Global warming and penguins, Glofish, GM Crops, Gorillas,

Greyhounds, H5N1, Haemochromatosis, Haemophilia, Hallucinogenic drugs, Hayfever, Heart disease,Height, Herceptin, High Altitude, High heels, HIV, Hostile environments, HRT, Human/Cow embryos,Human Genome project, Human mummification, Huntingdons disease, Hypercholesterolemia,Hyperthyroidism, Iguanas, Immune system, Infertility, Insomnia, Island Ecosystems, IVF, Kidneytransplants, Leprosy, Leukaemia, Lung cancer, Lupus, Malaria, Manic depression, Marijuana, ME,Measles, Meningitis, Mesothelioma, Migraine, Mitochondrial DNA, MMD, MMR, Morning sickness, Motorneurone disease, Motorcycle safety, MRSA, MS, MSG, Multiple Births, Muscles, Musth in elephants,Myotonic dystrophy, Myxamatosis, Nandrolone, Nanotechnology, National DNA database, Natural dust,Neurofibromatosis, Neuromuscular control, Nitrogen, Obesity, Oceanography, Oncolytic virus, Orang-

utans, Organ transplants, Osteoporosis, Ovarian cancer, Oysters, Pain, Pandas, Paper, Parkinsons,Peak performance, Pesticides, Pests, PGD, Plants & Medicine, Polar bears, Polio, Pollinators, Pollution,Poppies, Post traumatic stress disorder, Parasites, Premature babies, Prenatal screening, Proteindeficiency, PRRS in guinea pigs, Rabbits, Rabies, Radiation, Recycling, Rennet, Respiratory distress ininfants, Right handedness, SARS, Scale Insects, Schizophrenia, Scoliosis, Seahorse conservation, Sexselection, Shark antibodies, Sheep diseases, Sheep scab, Sickle Cell anaemia, Skin Cancer, Sleep,Smog, Smoking, Snake venom, Spanish Flu, Sperm counts, Spina bifida, Statins, STDs, Stem Cells,Stem cells &, MS, Steroid drugs, Stress, Strokes, Sturgeons, Superhumans, Suspended animation,Symbiois, TB, Teeth, Telomeres, Testicular cancer, Tetracycline & Gum disease, Thalassaemia,Thalidomide, Tigers, Tobacco plants, Tourettes, Transplants, Turners Syndrome, Turtles, Vertebrae,

Viagra & Hypertension, Viagra in pregnancy, War, Water, White blood cells, Witch hazel andXenotransplantation.

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Getting Started

Have a look in the news and online!

You will be carrying out a research lesson

later in the week with your teacher but start

thinking now!

Great Ormond Street Hospital Link

http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/pressoffice/http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/pressoffice/

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Some additional support

Researching Information

Producing a reference list