Biology
Example #1- Research Inquiry
Claim: The use of hormones in agriculture does not affect human health.
Research Question: Does hormone recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) affect human growth hormone receptors through the consumption of cow’s milk?
Developing the research question:
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1. Identify the key (important) terms in the claim.
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a. hormone b. agriculture c. human health
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2. Propose questions that need to be addressed to refine key terms and narrow the focus of the claim.
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a. Which hormone? b. Which agricultural industry? c. Where is the agricultural industry located? d. What effect could the addition of this hormone have on an aspect of human health?
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3. Conduct research to gather information to address the questions |
a. Do hormones affect human health? b. Are there hormones from animals in food consumed by humans? c. Which hormone is found in cow’s milk?
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4. Draft the research question to address the claim.
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a. Does recombinant bovine somatotropin affect human health?
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5. Refine and focus the research question.
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a. Does recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) affect human health through the consumption of cow’s milk? |
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6. Present the research question to the teacher for approval. |
a. Does hormone recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) affect human growth hormone receptors through the consumption of cow’s milk?
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Source https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/downloads/senior-qce/sciences/snr_biology_19_unit2_smple_ass_inst.pdf
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Biology
Example #2- Research Inquiry
Claim: Sustainable reserve size should be based on the data from gene pool variability.
Research question template: Does x of y increase the z of c to (maintain 90% heterozygosity)?
Research question: Does supplementing the prey population of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) increase the carrying capacity in the [named] reserve to maintain 90% heterozygosity?
Developing the research question:
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1. Identify the key (important) terms in the claim. |
a. ‘gene pool’ b. ‘variability’ c. ‘sustainable reserve size’
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2. Propose refining questions that need to be addressed to refine key terms and narrow the focus of the claim. |
a. The gene pool for which animal? b. Where is the reserve? c. What size reserve is needed to maintain variability? d. How would we know the variability was sustainable?
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3. Provide an example of how one of the claims could be developed into a research question.
Conduct research to gather information to address the refining questions.
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a. The [named] cheetah reserve maintains genetic diversity. b. The [named] cheetah reserve maintains 90% genetic diversity by supplementing the prey population. c. Does supplementing the prey population of the cheetah in the [named] reserve maintain 90% genetic diversity?
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4. Draft the research question to address the claim. |
a. Does supplementing the prey population of the cheetah in the [named] reserve maintain 90% genetic diversity?
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5. Refine and focus the research question. |
a. Does supplementing the prey population of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in the [named] reserve maintain 90% heterozygosity? |
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6. Present the research question to the teacher for approval. |
a. Does supplementing the prey population of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) increase the carrying capacity in the [named] reserve to maintain 90% heterozygosity?
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Source https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/downloads/senior-qce/sciences/snr_biology_19_ia3_smple_ass_inst.pdf
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Biology
Example #1- Practical Investigation
Practical that will be modified: Investigate the conditions necessary for photosynthesis, e.g. compare starch present in normal, variegated and de-starched leaves.
Research Questions: Does a 2.0 mM concentration of carbon dioxide increase the photosynthetic rate of Elodea spp.?
Developing the research question:
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1. Identify the independent variable to be investigated
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Concentration of carbon dioxide |
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2. Identify the dependent variable
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Photosynthetic rate of Elodea spp. |
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3. Identify the methodology to be used |
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4. Draft research questions |
Does carbon dioxide affect the rate of photosynthesis in aquatic plants?
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5. Refine and focus the research question |
Does a set concentration of carbon dioxide affect the photosynthetic rate of Elodea spp.?
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6. Present research question to teacher for approval |
Does a 2.0 mM concentration of carbon dioxide increase the photosynthetic rate of Elodea spp.?
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Source https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/downloads/senior-qce/sciences/snr_biology_19_unit1_smple_ass_inst.pdf
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Biology
Example #2- Practical Investigation
Practical that will be modified: Measure the population of microorganisms in Petri dishes to observe carrying capacity.
Research question: Does a 25% glucose solution limit the carrying capacity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae?
Developing the research question:
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Steps |
Details |
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1. Identify the independent variable to be investigated.
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Limiting factor related to chosen microorganism. |
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2. Identify the dependent variable.
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Final population (carrying capacity) of microorganism. |
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3. Identify the methodology to be used
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4. Draft research questions. |
Which type of sugar affects the carrying capacity of yeast?
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5. Refine and focus the research question.
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What level of glucose grows more yeast? |
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6. Present research question to teacher for approval. |
Does a 25% glucose solution limit the carrying capacity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae?
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Source https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/downloads/senior-qce/sciences/snr_biology_19_ia2_smple_ass_inst.pdf
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