SNC 2D0 Biology Ria Report Guidelines

SNC 2D0 Biology RiA Report Guidelines

General Information:

·  Double space so comments can be added within the text.

·  Divide into sections with headings. Divide sections into paragraphs.

·  Use at least 3 sources for your secondary research, and cite them using APA format.

·  General background information in the introduction may be written in present tense (ie. “CT scans are used for ...)

·  For information and data from studies that others found, describe their findings with second person passive tense (ie. “Smith and Jones (2008), found that....”)

·  For the purpose, hypothesis and procedure, write using past tense impersonal (ie. “It was predicted that...” and “ A group of 50 female grade 10 girls were asked....”).

·  In the discussion analysing data you collected, you may use first person passive.

·  Use correct simple grammar. Sentences must have subjects and verbs. Verb tenses must remain constant within ideas. Get it proof read by a peer/parent etc. Your teacher is not your editor.

·  Do not use contractions (ie. didn’t, can’t) or short forms (ie. Intro).

·  You must submit your report to www.turnitin.com which is very smart. Do not plagiarize!

Introduction:

·  This should be approx 1-2 pages in length (double spaced) but divide into smaller paragraphs.

·  Introduce the general concepts behind the experiment/study and background information (can be in present tense).

·  Discuss STSE issues, stakeholders, statistics you found in your secondary research. Include discussion off advantages and disadvantages on the well-being of individuals, society and/or the environment. State what has been done, if anything, to address the negative aspects of your STSE issue.

·  Cite your references in APA format (author’s last name, year) with parentheses within your text.

Purpose:

·  Describe the purpose or focus of your primary research (experiment/study) and why you chose to do it.

·  Write in past tense impersonal (ie. “The purpose of this experiment was to find....” NOT “We chose to do this experiment to find...”)

Hypothesis:

·  Include your predictions (past tense impersonal) (ie.” It was predicted that...” NOT “We predicted...”)

Procedure:

·  Also written in past tense impersonal.

·  Write in paragraphs, without a list of materials, without numbered steps.

·  Describe independent, dependent, and controlled variables. Describe your sample size, composition.

·  Be specific enough that someone could repeat your experiment exactly. To do that they would need to know what size beaker, what size test tube, what type of water, what exact temperature, how many people, how many trials etc. to use. Provide those details.

·  Include a copy of surveys used, but put them in the appendix at the end.

Results:

·  Do not describe results with words here (that is discussion). Just present the data in tables/graphs.

·  Try to record quantitative and qualitative data.

·  Tables are labelled above the table with a table number and a very specific title including the exact type of observation, what caused them, and the demographic that provided the results.

·  Graphs are labelled below the graph with a figure number and a very specific description (as above).

Discussion:

·  This should be 1-2 pages, double spaced, divided into paragraphs.

·  Begin by referring to your data and discussing (in words) your results, trends, etc.

·  Here you can use first person (ie. “Our data compared to” .... or “We found that ..,...”) but make sure it is in past tense.

·  Relate to the information in the introduction and give possible reasons why you got your results.

·  Refer to other sources of information, and cite references correctly using APA format.

·  Include any conclusions you can draw from your data.

·  Finish with a discussion of your action materials, and your intended target audience. Describe what actions you are recommending.

Appendix:

·  Include copies of your survey questions or any other relevant information here.

References:

·  You need to include at least 3 sources and list them in this section, using APA format.

·  All the sources cited in your paper must be included here. Similarly, all sources in this list must be cited somewhere in your paper.

Turnitin.com:

·  You need to submit the paper to www.turnitin.com.

·  First you must enroll with a working email address. Then your teacher will give you a code and password to join the class. Then upload your document.

·  Check the email address you joined with, for a receipt that they received your document.