Prompt
To complete this activity, use the Module Two Activity Template Word Document. First, examine your scientific news story for descriptions of how the research was conducted. This might be a general description of steps the scientists took, or the specific methods used to collect and analyze evidence. Look for words associated with the scientific method such as observations, hypothesis, field research, experiments, lab research, or data collection.
Next, consider the questions you have about the main idea presented in your scientific news story. What do you want to know more about? What answers or solutions might benefit you or your community? Draft two research questions you are interested in asking. As you write your questions, consult the module overview and module resources for assistance writing your research questions.
Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:
Part One: Identifying Scientific Approaches
Identify an approach to scientific research addressed in the chosen news story.
Part Two: Drafting Good Scientific Questions
Draft two research questions you are interested in asking about the main idea of your news story. Ensure that both of your questions are measurable and focused.
Prepare measurable scientific questions based on the main idea presented in the chosen news story.
Prepare focused scientific questions based on the main idea presented in the chosen news story.
Part One: Identifying Scientific Approaches
The chosen news story is about a study that investigated the effects of a new drug on reducing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in mice. The research involved conducting experiments in a laboratory setting using a specific methodology to collect and analyze data.
The scientific approach addressed in this news story is experimental research. The researchers conducted controlled experiments in a laboratory to test the efficacy of the new drug in reducing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in mice. They followed a specific protocol, administered the drug to a group of mice, and compared the results to a control group that did not receive the drug. This approach allowed the researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships between the drug and the reduction of symptoms.
Part Two: Drafting Good Scientific Questions
Research question 1: What are the long-term effects of the new drug on reducing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in mice?
Measurable: The effects of the new drug can be measured by assessing the reduction in specific symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease, such as memory loss or cognitive decline, over an extended period.
Focused: The question specifically addresses the long-term effects of the drug on reducing symptoms, which allows for a detailed investigation into the sustained efficacy of the treatment.
Research question 2: How does the new drug target the underlying mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease in mice?
Measurable: The researchers can measure how the new drug interacts with specific biological processes or biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease in mice. They can use techniques such as molecular analysis or imaging to assess the drug’s mechanism of action.
Focused: The question specifically addresses how the drug targets the underlying mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease, which allows for a focused investigation into the drug’s mode of operation and potential therapeutic pathways.
By asking these measurable and focused research questions, scientists can further explore the implications of the study and gain a deeper understanding of the new drug’s effectiveness and mechanism of action. These questions are essential for expanding knowledge in the field and potentially benefiting individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their communities by developing more targeted and effective treatments.