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at Hartwick College Click here to begin.  |
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Scientific Methodologies |
| At this point in your science
education career,
you may or may not have had much experience with scientific
methodologies. The purpose of this assignment is to give you
experience with the process
of scientific inquiry. Rather than conducting your own research,
you
will study investigations of an unusual phenomena concerning amphibian
deformities.
The website you will explore provides you with the chance to navigate
real
scientific research, performed by real scientists. In order to
gain
a complete understanding of scientific methodologies, and the research
performed
by these scientists, you shall visit each portion of the site, and read
the provided information. Be sure to spend time developing your
own hypotheses as you move through the site and discuss them with your
partner. Make
a prediction of an expected outcome for each hypothesis that you study
or
propose, and be able to explain your basis for each prediction.
Next read and think about the information for each of the links that tell you what is known about chemical pollution, UV radiation, etc. As you study the information of each link, discuss any questions asked and then check your answers. If your answers are correct, then you understand the information described. If your answers are not correct, then study the information again. Once you have an understanding of the various data that researchers have obtained, identify the strenths and weaknesses of your hypotheses and those presented on the website. Finally, identify the hypothesis that you believe is the best explanation for the observed amphibian deformities. You will be asked to share your thoughts about the strengths and weaknesses of each hypothesis with the rest of the class. To begin, choose path #2 after entering the website below. |
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at Hartwick College Click here to begin. |