2.1 Students will be able to evaluate, interpret, apply experimental design, and draw valid conclusions from experiments
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ptwNB2stReNq9f2uWUajriNXDHBgCeFWGISNRdn6KVw/edit?usp=sharing
Goal 2.1 Reflection
The ability to evaluate, interpret, apply experimental design, and draw conclusions is a important skills that all scientists need. If you are not able to apply an experimental design for the research, then the data you collected will not prove valuable for the scientific community because it is not concise or reputable information. The same issue goes with drawing conclusions; if you cannot draw conclusions, then your data is insufficient. My skills in those areas grew and improved throughout my time at Longwood. By taking more and more upper level classes I was able to provide proficient documentation of my experiments. The lower level classes that we are required to take do not necessitate these skills but do lay down the foundation for these skills to be achieved. These lower level classes build the foundation by teaching you how to conduct experiments and collect data. The upper level classes teach you how to analyze and build your own experimental designs.
The first two upper level classes that required me to use all three skills was Animal Behavior and Human Anatomy and Physiology. In my Animal Behavior class, we were asked to build our own experiment with pill bugs. We effectively researched and collected scientific data on our hypothesis, pill bugs prefer wet substrate, and planned out a scientific research project. We were able to document our entire methodology, specific aim, and potential conclusions from the scientific literature data collected. This experiment allowed us to use all three skills to successfully preform our experiment. Once we conducted the experiment, our hypothesis proved to be true, and we were able to critically evaluate the data.
In my Human Anatomy and Physiology class we were also asked to create our own experiment relating to the human body. We created an experiment that relates the effects of music on blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. Once we decided our topic of study, we tried to find scientific data that would support our hypothesis that music can increase or decrease all three categories. Since there were very few studies on it, we decided it would be a valuable experiment to do. We were able to perform the experiment on multiple volunteers and collect adept data. With this data we were able to draw strong conclusions that our hypothesis was wrong. We were able to also come up with reasons that our data might have been inadequate.
In my Ichthyology class we were asked to pick a subject, evaluate, create and design an experiment for Largemouth bass. The presentation was one of the toughest parts because we had to incorporate background information on the species as well as our own data. We then took both parts and compared them to form an analysis and conclusion on the species. This class taught me how to do all the steps proficiently and professionally.
All three classes strengthened my skills in evaluating, interpreting, applying experimental design, and drawing valid conclusions. All of these skills are the pushing factors scientists and new/groundbreaking discoveries. These skills are hard to accomplish, and Longwood has insured that all of its students including myself have gained them before graduating. Having these abilities will help me accomplish many goals, allow me to be more competitive for jobs, and strengthen my performance as a scientist.