How To Conduct Background

Research For Your Paper

Where Should You Look For Background On Your Topic?

Literature

However, There Are Different Types Of Literature

Types Of Literature •Primary Literature= Directly From The Source

Examples: Scientist publishing Their Findings, Scientist Writing a Biology Textbook based off their findings, Historian documenting a battle using soldier's’ personal letters about the battle.

•Secondary Literature=Literature Based Off Of Primary Literature

Examples: Review Articles By Other Scientists not based off their own research History Textbook, Books About the Effects Of WWII

What Type Of Literature Is The Image Below?

A B

CD

What Are Some Other Reasons For Primary Literature Searches?

•Have Other Scientists Conducted Similar Research? (Can help find other related papers)

• Find Protocols To Use•What Type & How Much Of A Reagent To Use

• Find Valuable Data & Introduction Information (i.e. Citations in intro and discussion)

•How To Format Scientific Paper (Helps With Results)•How To Cite References For A Specific Journal

•Generate Ideas For A Catchy Title

How To Find What You Want In A Paper

Do Not Read Every Paper From Start To Finish!

Collect Articles Based On Titles

Abstract: Read Abstract To Determine If Paper Is Appropriate

Search Specific Sections Based On Interest

Where To Go To Find Primary Literature

Library=Journal Section Of Library

• Online Websites: Library WebsiteGoogle Scholar

PubmedWeb of Science (MTSU)

• Other Scientists Or Teachers Might Have A Subscription To A Journal

How to use the Search Engine

•Easiest Way: Search keywords

•Can Search For A Specific Paper Based On:• Title• Author• Date• Journal

Search Engines

• PubMed• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

•Web of Science• Database system. Authorization granted through MTSU

• Google Scholar• http://scholar.google.com/

Understanding the parts of a Scientific Paper• Abstract – Brief summary

• Introduction – Provides background information

• Materials/Methods – Lists protocols, techniques, and reagents used

• Results – Clearly summarizes the data generated from the experiments

• Discussion- Provides explanations for the results

• References- List Of Citations

Project Idea: Migratory Behavior Of Yellowstone Elk Herd

Q: What Type Of Reliable Literature Would I Use To Find Out Information About “Migratory

Behavior Of Yellowstone Elk Herd”? A: Primary Literature

IntroductionYellowstone Elk migration over the years have changed in the

Yellowstone national park Tell history of wolves leaving the park and being reintroduced to the

park. (Papers)Previous Research & Findings (Papers)

Relate your experiment to the background research Address your question and explain how you are going to answer it.

Q: Has predatory influence caused the elk to change migratory patterns at Yellowstone?

IPAD TIME • Figure Out What Site• Take Top Three Relevant Papers & Cite Them • Pull Relevant Information To Write An Introduction

http://scholar.google.com/

Examples Of Introduction Link 1

http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/04-0953

Link 2http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2193/0022-541X(2005)69%5B1691:HSBEBA%5D2.0.CO%3B2#.UhKJj5LVDA0

Link 3http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/02-5175

How To Cite Papers

Look On Mrs. Corban’s Class Website

Handout Topic 1: Yellowstone Wolves & Elk

Topic 2: Rolly Pollies for your variable

Find 3 Papers, Cite Them, & Write An Introduction

Topic 1 Due Wednesday 8/28/13Topic 2 & Lab Report Due Friday 8/30/13