Blog 3: Criteria to evaluate scientific papers

When evaluating a scientific paper, you're trying to discover if the paper is valid.  Some criteria I would use to evaluate a paper are:

• Does this paper cite legitimate references?
• Is the information presented relevant to the argument being made?
• Did the researcher use a satisfactory design while obtaining their information?
• Were sound research methods used?
• Has the data been properly analyzed and interpreted? 
• Is the report written in a clear and effective manner?
• What is the quality of the evidence?
• Why are the conclusions important?

Blog 2: Penny Presentations

When Presented with the questions: 

What would a penny weigh picked up from the sidewalk?

What would a 1908 penny weigh?

What would a 1793 penny weigh?

My group and I first decided to do some research on the composition and the related mass of pennies throughout the years.  We found that pennies from the year 1982-present all had the same composition of 96.7% zinc and 3.4% copper; this resulting in pennies with masses of about 2.5 grams.  Our group then took a simple random sample of pennies to find the probability of a penny being from the years between 1982 and the 2011.  Our simple random sample showed that there is a 63% chance that a randomly chosen penny would be from the years between 1982-2011; this means that there is a 63% chance that our penny from the sidewalk will weigh about 2.5 grams.  

For the other two questions, we couldn't actually mass pennies from those years because we did not have them.  Thus, we researched the composition of pennies from those years and found their masses.  

Our presentation was a little too short, but I think that can be justified because we answered the questions without adding unnecessary information.  Our report was concise and we outlined our testing methods and included our resources which helped to validate our presentation.  

With such a short presentation, I think all of our presentations could have been improved if only one person from the group presented.  Most groups should have been more focused on answering the questions rather than presenting random and historical facts about pennies.  

Professional Development Plan for APSC 311

Mission: 

To recognize and understand ethical issues that may arise in the science-related professions, and to learn how to manage these various issues through cooperative learning in the classroom. 

Values:  Complete our mission by:

Respect classmates and professor.

Attending and engaging in in-class discussions.

Put forth your best effort for class work.

Goals: 

Successfully complete the course, including four presentations, an online portfolio and peer evaluations.

Understand how to evaluate and act on ethical issues in the workplace.

Strategy:

Attend all class sessions prepared to learn.

Participate in class and group activities.