MICRB 413/411 Literature Review & Seminar Assignments
Each student will decide on five topics for performing literature reviews. Literature reviews will consist of a minimum of 5 papers from the primary literature and no more than 10. Students are expected to have at least read the abstracts of the papers and provide a brief summary (2 – 3 pages of text, double spaced and in 12 pt Times Roman font) of the subject with proper citations and reference lists. Included within two of your summaries should be an explanation of why you think a particular paper should be shared with the class. One of your topics will be presented to the class with another student in a seminar and discussion format.
Due dates for your first review is for
Choosing your specific topics for reviews and presentation will require you to become familiar with a variety of search strategies via LIAS and by directly going to on-line journal resources. We will review some approaches in detail, and I’ll provide some suggested links. You will need to restrict the subject to current research (2003 to present), and use original research papers, NOT reviews, informal websites or book chapters. We will rotate the responsibility of the presentation each Thursday. Over the semester you will have lead the presentation of two papers with your partners. Your dates will be assigned.
Papers must get approval by the Wednesday a weekbefore your scheduled presentation, i.e. a minimum of eight days in advance. The topic you choose should generally match the lecture topic for that week or other approved topic. I ask that you show meyour literature review along with at least five titles with abstracts, preferably ranked in your order of preference. If none of your suggestions get approved, I will assign the paper. Once a paper is approved, get me a full text copy and I’ll have it photocopied for everyone. I’d like to get copies passed out by Thursday the week prior to your presentation, so everyone has time to read the paper, and you have time to get help from me if needed. Please be advised that you may have to do some background research to better understand the general topic and methods. Follow the guidelines below on how to present the paper to class and participate when not presenting – the intention here is to initiate discussion.
Presenter’s Guidelines:
You will present current research on a specific subject. Include the following 4 parts within a 30 min presentation:
Introduction: You should begin by providing enough background on the subject so that objectives or hypotheses tested can be logically understood. Generally, start with the “big-picture” and then narrow your focus. This may take more time if you elect to present current research on a subject area not approached in lecture. Use visual aids, such as simple outlines and short definitions. Visual aids should not have lengthy text! Overall, this section of the talk should be about 10 min.
Experimental: Briefly describe the experimental design and methods used to complete objectives or test hypotheses. If there is a field component to the project, then a description of the site, sampling stations, and any unique habitat characteristics should be mentioned first. Visual aids in this section may include maps, flow charts of experimental designs, or any special experimental apparatus. Keep this section to 5 min.
Results: Focus on presenting the results that most strongly support (or refute) the stated objectives or hypotheses. Many research papers are cluttered with ancillary data, i.e. data that does not directly impact the project conclusions. As you present results, also explain their significance in terms of the research goals. This core section of the talk is 10 min.
Conclusions: Restate significant results and their conclusions within the context of the research objectives or hypotheses. Add other comments by authors (future work, questions remaining, etc..) This section should include visual aids with simple text to summarize the conclusions. This section is also brief, 5 min.
Participant’s Guidelines:
Everyone will read all papers presented on Fridays. As you read a papers for the first take notes on the objective, methods and how results support conclusions, and make sure to include questions you have. These notes should be included in your participation journal. If it is your paper to present, then make sure to find answers to questions you have – chances are they will be questions shared by other students. If you are a participant, these questions arm you in advance for discussion time, and help you stay alert during the presentation by noticing which of your questions get answered by the presenters.