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Methods Introduction

Submitted by jmalloldiaz on Thu, 10/04/2018 - 15:34

- Goals of the Methods Project:

The main goal of this Methods Project for Writing in Biology class is to reflect on the key components that a good Methods section of a scientific paper should have in order to convey its message. Scientific research must be easily replicated by others in order to prove its validity, that is the reason why this project includes following the methods of another student in order to replicate their figure as accurately as possible. As well, it is important to understand that inferences are conclusions that are made based on observing a phenomenon and formulating logical explanations for it, and that they should not be confused with observations. The last objective of this project is to identify the variables that must be controlled in order to be able to successfully replicate an experiment.

- Explain the subject of my figure

The subject of my figure was the web of a funnel weaver spider,  located on a bush in Franklin Permaculture Garden. In order to compose the figure I took a close-up photograph and another picture that showed its surroundings, and then I added a map marking the location of the spider web.

- Reasoning for selecting my figure

The reason why I chose to make this figure is because it can be easily replicated, since the spider web is clearly visible and located on an accessible area that many students know due to being close to Franklin Dining Commons and the BCRC.

- Factors I sought to control when I wrote my methods (but don't describe those factors)

When I wrote my methods I made sure to control the exact location of the spider web, as well as the spatial arrangements of the different elements of the figure, including the order in which the pictures were presented and their respective labels. As well, I described in detail other important features of the labels such as the colors of the letters and boxes in each image.

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