Solved by a verified expert:Written Assignment 1-
Trace the Scientific Method in a Primary Scientific Article
Addresses course outcomes 1 and 4:
recognize and explain how the scientific method is used to
solve problems
weigh evidence and make decisions based on strengths and
limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific method
Before starting this assignment you might want to revisit
the Scientific Method Tutorial in the Science Learning Center under the Content
area.
The original peer-reviewed research article that the above
article discusses can be found in the Content area. You may want to look at the
peer-reviewed scholarly article for more detail (not required).
* Yamauchi et al. (2010). Coffee and caffeine ameliorate
hyperglycemia, fatty liver, and inflammatory adipocytokine expression in
spontaneously diabetic KK-Ay mice. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry,
58 (9), 5597-5603. May 12, PMID: 20405946, ISSN: 1520-5118.
Researchers recently investigated (see summary in New
Evidence That Drinking Coffee May Reduce the Risk of Diabetes) in laboratory mice whether or not coffee
prevented the development of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). The mice used in
this experiment have a mutation that makes them become diabetic.
Answer the questions below based on the information given in
the following paragraph.
A group of 11 mice was given water, and another group of 10
mice was supplied with diluted black coffee (coffee:water 1:1) as drinking
fluids for five weeks. The composition of the diets and living conditions were
similar for both groups of mice. Blood glucose was monitored weekly for all mice.
After five weeks, there was no change in average body weight between groups.
Results indicated that blood glucose concentrations increased significantly in
the mice that drank water compared with those that were supplied with coffee.
Finally, blood glucose concentration in the coffee group exhibited a 30 percent
decrease compared with that in the water group. In the original paper, the
investigators acknowledged that the coffee for the experiment was supplied as a
gift from a corporation.
1. Identify and describe the steps of the scientific method.
Which observations do you think the scientists made leading up to this research
study? Given your understanding of the experimental design, formulate a
specific hypothesis that is being tested in this experiment. Describe the
experimental design including control and treatment group(s), and dependent and
independent variables. Summarize the results and the conclusion (50 points)
2. Criticize the research described. Things to consider:
Were the test subjects and treatments relevant and appropriate? Was the sample
size large enough? Were the methods used appropriate? Can you think of a
potential bias in a research study like this? What are the limitations of the
conclusions made in this research study? Address at least two of these
questions in your critique of the research study (20 points).
3. Discuss the relevance of this type of research, both for
the world in general and for you personally (20 points).
4. Write answers in your own words with proper grammar and
spelling (10 points)
Avoid plagiarism
It is very important to write with your own words. If you do
copy one or two sentences directly (use sparingly), use quotation marks
(“) around the copied text. All information sources need to be included in
the reference list and as in-text references. Plagiarism will be reported to
the proper UMUC authority. Guidance on how to avoid plagiarism can be found
here: UMUC’s How to Avoid Plagiarism
Submission
Submit in assignment folder by due date stated in the course
schedule.
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