ScLi12- Identify the elements in the methods that allow researchers answer their research question A hypothetical study aimed to investigate the factors that affect white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) abundance in the Northwest US will assess population size in  5 semi-urban environments. Researchers will measure- vegetation density, plant species diversity, age structure of individuals, and presence of predators. They will use capture-recapture methods to estimate population size. They will sex, age and measure all individuals captured. They will divide each area by 10-m-10m transects and sample all plant species found in 30 transects selected randomly.   Which of the following statements are correct?

What is the difference between a PCV [answer1] and a hematocrit [answer2]?

ScLi5- Identify the purpose of introduction in scientific papers This is are some paragraphs in the introduction of Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being: a Participatory Study in a Mountain Community in Portugal. The authors assessed which ecosystem services were provided by a mountainous ecosystem “The well-being of present and future generations depends on the continuous flow of ecosystem services, which are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems (Daily 1997). Links between human well-being and ecosystem services are multiple and complex (Salzman et al. 2001). Improvements in the well-being of present generations can have negative impacts on the supply of ecosystem services to future generations if those improvements are based on unsustainable exploitation of the environment.  […] In our study we use a participatory approach to examine both the local criteria for well-being and the links to ecosystem services. (…) We ask four questions: (1) What are the local criteria for human well-being? (2) Which ecosystem services are recognized and valued by the community? (3) What are the main trends in those services and their impacts on well-being? (4)  Which of the functions that should be fulfilled by an introduction are MISSING?

Before starting your exam and proceeding to question 2, please complete a thorough environment check.   This includes recording: (1) your clutter-free workspace (desk, table, etc.) that is free of any papers, books, devices etc., (2) showing underneath your workspace, (3) showing a full 360-degree view of the room, (4) you must record yourself turning off your cell phone, show the screen to confirm it is off and place it behind you, out of reach.   If any part of this environment check is missing or incomplete, it will result in a zero for the exam grade, as outlined in the syllabus.   Type your full name indicating that you completed the scan of your environment, did not manipulate anything in your environment, and that you understand that skipping this will result in a zero for the exam.

ScLi-2 Identify research and review articles What kind of article is this? Click here to open link (access by selecting FIU as the institution and log in with your FIU credentials) Click here to download PDF

ScLi-3 Perform a successful literature search   A new research lab-mate has asked you for advice about how to perform a literature search about epigenetic regulation of flowering time in plants. They are proposing to use the following keywords for their search. Which ones would produce the best results?  

ScLi10- Identify study variables in research articles A real study aimed to test whether the pattern of resource distribution in an environment affected how many individuals of the same species could be maintained by such environment. Researchers used single-strain populations of budding yeast (microorganism that you use to raise dough) in plates with the amino acid tryptophan (Trp) as the exploited, renewable resource. Researchers set 96 plates with Trp . Each plate was divided in 12 sections.  Each plate had either a heterogeneous or homogeneous distribution of resources (Trp). A heterogeneous environment was designed by alternating high and low Trp concentrations. A homogeneous environment was designed as having a uniform amount of Trp in all 12 sections. Yeast population in each well was quantified every 24 h as the optical density (OD600) until an asymptote was observed.

ScLi14- Interpret graphs, charts and statistics in results of research studies The following figure is from the study Sediment associated with algal turfs inhibits the settlement of two endangered coral species  coauthored by Dr. Alain Duran (professor in our bio department) The objective of the study was to determine if algal turfs or a mix of algal turfs and their sediments affected the presence of juvenile corals and settlement of new corals of two important coral species in South Florida     Which of the following statements are true?

ScLi6- Identify research questions/gaps addressed by research papers   A hypothetical study on autism is stating that: Despite extensive research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there remains a significant gap in our understanding of the early developmental markers that can predict the onset of autism. While behavioral symptoms of autism typically become apparent by the age of three, the subtle early indicators during infancy and their biological underpinnings are not well understood. Identifying these early markers is crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention, which can significantly improve outcomes for children with autism. Current studies have focused largely on observable behaviors in later stages, leaving a gap in the early detection and understanding of the neurobiological changes that precede these behaviors. Which would be the most likely research question addressed in this study?

ScLi-1. Identify peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed literature Classify the following excerpts of articles about the Everglades as either peer-reviewed or non-peer reviewed   Article 1:   Article 2 Article 3   Article 4