1. Writing your Assignment

2. The assignments
In Biology, the assignments (four) will all follow the same format
They have three important components:
A description of a Biological aspect
Presentation of perspective and justify from a scientific perspective
Annotated Bibliography

3. Introduction
In assignments an introduction is not essential; however, you may choose to write a brief introduction, usually no more than one paragraph, to give a context to the assignment.

4. 1. Describing the Biological aspect
This is the UB component
Give all relevant information at an appropriate level
In Senior Biology this means writing in the correct genre (scientific report) using appropriate terminology
Present the relevant chemistry and physics background
Usually starting from a level at which a layperson might understand

5. Include diagrams and images to enhance understanding
Don’t include images without referring to them in your text
Make sure you label the diagram
Usually figure one or fig 1 etc
Put the source below the diagram
Place the diagram as close as possible to where you refer to it in the text

6. Terminology If you use complex terms, explain them fully.
If you acronyms, abbreviations or initials, make sure you expand them completely the first time you use them in the assignment.
Example: DNA should be written as Deoxyribonucleic acid the first time it is mentioned.

7. Scientific names Can be written in two ways:
Italicised: Ixodes holocyclus
note: no capital
Underlined: Ixodes holocyclus

8. Information should include:
Key definitions
All words/terms that are not common knowledge
e.g. Activation energy
Key concepts
Any of the principles and ideas that you rely upon as part of your explanation or justification
E.g. How Iodine indicates for starch

9. 2. Presentation and justification of a position from a scientific perspective
This the EBI component
To achieve this, you need to:
Give scientific evidence (quantitative data is king) to support your position
Discuss the other perspective/s and provide evidence to refute/justify why that perspective is flawed
e.g. vaccinations causing autism

10. Data Use a dart board approach
The bullseye is data that exactly discusses the topic
If that data is unavailable, the next best data is on similar research: eg if you can’t find data on a virus in Qld, then NSW is the next best option

11. Quantitative vs Qualitative
In Science, quantitative data is king.
Qualitative data is also very useful, especially as supporting evidence.

12. Presentation of data
Try to present data in the most salient form possible.
Use graphical organisers:
Graphs
Histograms
Flow charts
diagrams

13. How do you show evidence of integrated research?
By citing (in text referencing)
Direct quotes
Indirect quotes
Make sure you don’t keep citing the same author. That is not integrated research.