1. … and where should you be in the process?
Choosing a Project
… and where should you be in the process?

2. Where should you be now in the development of your topic?
You should have..
one or more general topics in mind.
located some general or background resources to learn about your topic(s).
started to evaluate if the research area fits the criteria.
Now you should ..
begin locating a few articles, although we realize you will learn more about searching the literature next week.
Note: you will still be required to perform and document a thorough literature search after we cover ‘Searching the Literature’ even if you think you have found enough articles for the assignments.

3. How do I narrow my topic?
“The topic that a scientist… chooses to study usually involves some combination of…
interest in the phenomenon,
technical expertise and
resources needed to do the study, and
ability to get funding for the project.”
Lee, p29

4. Getting started in on your IRSL Project
Select a general subject area
Narrow down the research area
Find research articles… refine the research area and title
Select an area sufficiently narrow as if to encompass a small grant (e.g. several articles)
Reiterative process of writing project topic and finding papers: Topic is driven by the papers!!!

5. Clarification: On what is the project based?
On the literature, though may be a foundation for an undergraduate research project in the future.

6. Developing your Project
Read news articles, encyclopedias, textbooks
Search the literature:
Find a review article
Find primary research articles
In reality, searching does not stop at the first article
You will demonstrate your ability to search the literature.

7. Write down a plan Proposals & Titles Why write a title early?
Clarify your thinking
Draw together seemingly disparate information
Provide direction
Refine your ideas
What are some common problems of titles? (see assigned reading)

8. Title Problems Too long or short General, vague terms vs specific
Syntax errors
Note: Titles are labels, not a sentence… Should not end in punctuation!

9. Topic Title Criteria See course booklet
Organism or system
Particular aspect of system or phenomenon being studied
What question is being asked
Variables being manipulated
If applicable: define abbreviations or jargon
You know when your topic is sufficiently narrow when you can write a Topic Title (i.e. not a paragraph and meeting all criteria), that encompasses your 3 main articles

10. Narrowing your Topic How is this? Your topics: From the booklet Cancer
Breast cancer studied in mice
Changes in mechanoreceptors may induce breast cancer in mice
Mutations/Distribution/Types in mechanoreceptors
Relationships/Correlations
Your topics:
We will share topic titles during breakout sessions… How will you evaluate?
From the booklet
Regulation of human and murine neutrophil migration by IL-1 (Interleukin-1) during inflammation
Potential linkage of reproductive deformities in frog species (Rana pipiens and Xenopus laevis) and the application of the herbicide Atrazine to row crops

11. Each Topic Must be Unique
Unique = Topic titles and Articles are different from others
General area could overlap
Topic Title Coordination Survey
See syllabus: due 9/27, not 10/2
If too much overlap, must change topics
Usually can help you find something closely related
If overlap, who continues is based on progress
Can we approve your topic now so you can reserve it?
We cannot approve until your topic title and articles come together and fulfill the criteria.

12. Looking Ahead
Wednesday 9/13: Ethical Issues in Science (Dr McReynolds)
Monday 9/18:
Quiz on Nature of Science: What does it cover?
Breakout groups to discuss topics (Progress Form 1 Due… should demonstrate progress since this week’s form)
Wednesday 9/20: Searching the Literature, Guest Librarian