Asking Questions in Biology
A Guide to Hypothesis Testing, Experimental Design and Presentation in Practical Work and Research Projects
4th Edition
Published on 7. April 2011
Book
Paperback/Softback
264 pages
978-0-273-73468-0 (ISBN)
Description
Asking and answering questions is the cornerstone of science yet formal training in understanding this key process is often overlooked.
Asking Questions in Biology unpacks this crucial process of enquiry, from a biological perspective, at its various stages. It begins with an overview of scientific question-asking in general, before moving on to demonstrate how to derive hypotheses from unstructured observations. It then explains in the main sections of the book, how to use statistical tests as tools to analyse data and answer those questions before, finally, showing the best practice in presenting scientific reports.
As such, it is an indispensable companion to all students of biology, but particularly those enrolled in courses concerning experimental design; data analysis; hypothesis testing; research methods; or any practical project work.
Asking Questions in Biology unpacks this crucial process of enquiry, from a biological perspective, at its various stages. It begins with an overview of scientific question-asking in general, before moving on to demonstrate how to derive hypotheses from unstructured observations. It then explains in the main sections of the book, how to use statistical tests as tools to analyse data and answer those questions before, finally, showing the best practice in presenting scientific reports.
As such, it is an indispensable companion to all students of biology, but particularly those enrolled in courses concerning experimental design; data analysis; hypothesis testing; research methods; or any practical project work.
Reviews / Votes
"If you've been spoon fed pre-prepared protocols for all your practical classes, this is a great antidote, thoroughly and carefully explaining how to progress from having a little science-y think in the bath to actually carrying out an experiment to test your ideas. It demands that you justify not only your methods but also your rationale, something even professional scientists can take for granted." - Karen Dawe, Faculty of 1000More details
Edition
4th edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Harlow
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pearson Education Limited
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 246 mm
Width: 189 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
511 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-273-73468-0 (9780273734680)
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Chris Barnard | Francis Gilbert | Peter McGregor
Asking Questions in Biology
A Guide to Hypothesis Testing, Experimental Design and Presentation in Practical Work and Research Projects
Book
04/2017
5th Edition
Pearson Education Limited
€52.99
Shipment within 10-20 days
Additional editions
Chris Barnard | Francis Gilbert | Peter McGregor
Asking Questions in Biology PXE eBook
E-Book
11/2015
1st Edition
Benjamin Cummings
from
€38.79
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Content
Preface
1 Doing Science
Where do questions come from?
1.1 Science as asking questions
1.2 Basic considerations
1.3 The skill of asking questions
1.4 Where do questions come from?
1.5 What is this book about
References
2 Asking questions
The art of framing hypotheses and predictions
2.1 Observation
2.2 Exploratory analysis
2.3 Forming hypotheses
2.4 Summary
References
3 Answering questions
What do the results say?
3.1 Confirmatory analysis
3.2 What is statistical significance
3.3 Significance tests
3.4 Testing hypotheses
3.5 Testing predictions
3.6 Refining hypotheses and predictions
3.7 Summary
References
4 Presenting information
How to communicate outcomes and conclusions
4.1 Presenting figures and tables
4.2 Presenting results in the text
4.3 Writing reports
4.4 Writing for a more general readership
4.5 Presenting in person: spoken papers and poster presentations
4.6 Plagiarism
4.7 Summary
References
Test finder and help guide
Some self-test questions
Appendix I: Table of confidence limits to the median
Appendix II: How to calculate some simple significance tests
Appendix III: Significance tables
Appendix IV: The common codes for the important graphical parameters of R
Answers to self-test questions
Index
Quick test finders
1 Doing Science
Where do questions come from?
1.1 Science as asking questions
1.2 Basic considerations
1.3 The skill of asking questions
1.4 Where do questions come from?
1.5 What is this book about
References
2 Asking questions
The art of framing hypotheses and predictions
2.1 Observation
2.2 Exploratory analysis
2.3 Forming hypotheses
2.4 Summary
References
3 Answering questions
What do the results say?
3.1 Confirmatory analysis
3.2 What is statistical significance
3.3 Significance tests
3.4 Testing hypotheses
3.5 Testing predictions
3.6 Refining hypotheses and predictions
3.7 Summary
References
4 Presenting information
How to communicate outcomes and conclusions
4.1 Presenting figures and tables
4.2 Presenting results in the text
4.3 Writing reports
4.4 Writing for a more general readership
4.5 Presenting in person: spoken papers and poster presentations
4.6 Plagiarism
4.7 Summary
References
Test finder and help guide
Some self-test questions
Appendix I: Table of confidence limits to the median
Appendix II: How to calculate some simple significance tests
Appendix III: Significance tables
Appendix IV: The common codes for the important graphical parameters of R
Answers to self-test questions
Index
Quick test finders