BI103H 2010 Research Project #2
Due Monday May 3, 2 p.m. 127 Weniger
Skills: Use two distinctly different research techniques to learn about the human body. The first
technique is researching a topic on the internet, collecting information from multiple sources. The
Internet can be an excellent source of science information, with careful critiquing of sources. The
second technique is to collect and analyze data on body activity, including heart rate, and surface
body temperature. Accurate and consistent body data can be useful in disease detection.
Assignment A: Select a disease of one of the organ systems discussed during weeks three through
five (digestive system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, urinary system, or endocrine
system). Research this disease using internet resources; this can include journal articles accessible
through the OSU library system. Write a short paper on the disease including the following
information: Medical/scientific name of the disease, history of the disease (historical occurrence in
humans), characteristics of people likely to get the disease (age, gender, location, etc.), number of
people globally who get the disease, symptoms, way the disease is typically detected, common
treatments, and recent research (published in the last six months). Finish with a description of two
websites you found to be particularly good sources of information about the disease, and why you
view these as good sources of information. Include a bibliography with at least five internet sources
that you utilized in your writing. Supply the complete URL web page address and title for these
sources, and include citations to these sources within the paragraphs (in-text citations can be a
number that links to the list of sources in the bibliography). Be sure to put the information in your
own words, do not “cut/paste” or paraphrase the source information.
Assessment Assignment A: This assignment is worth 10.0 points: 0.5 point for scientific
name of the disease, 1.0 point for historical occurrence of disease in humans, 1.0 for
characteristics of people likely to get the disease, 1.0 point for number of people who get the
disease, 1.0 point for symptoms, 1.0 point for detection, 1.0 point for treatments, 1.0 point for
recent research (published in the last six months, 1.0 point for description of two websites
you found to be particularly good sources of information about the disease, and why you
view these as good sources of information, 1.0 point for bibliography with at least five
internet sources, and 0.5 point for in-text citations.
Assignment B: (Note: this portion of the project is introduced in week 4’s lab and recitation). Monitor
and collect information on activity, heart rate, and surface body temperature three times on four
consecutive days. Fill in the data sheet provided and write a three-part summary on the conclusions
you can draw from the data collected. In the first part, summarize the data in words and use figures
or charts to represent trends in one or more aspect of the data. In the second paragraph, discuss
what you believe the data suggest (or does not suggest). In the third paragraph, discuss limitations
associated with trying to collect and/or analyze the data. This is a ten-point assignment, be thorough
in your data collection and discussion of the data.
Assessment Assignment B: This assignment is worth 10.0 points. The completed data
sheet is worth 2.0 points. The summary of the data in words and figures/charts is worth 3.0
points, the discussion of what the data suggests is worth 3.0 points, and the discussion of
limitations in the data collection and analysis techniques is worth 2.0 points.
Project assignments represent your individual skills. Assignments should represent your personal
abilities (like a take-home exam). Do not submit an assignment that is a duplication of any other
individual’s work (see syllabus for additional information on academic honesty).
See next page for data collection techniques
Data Collection Techniques:
Time: Record the time of day that you take your measurements.
Activity: This is monitored using a subjective scale in which you describe your general physical
activity at different times of the day. If this scale is not descriptive of your activities, design a
scale that is more appropriate for your data collection and include your revised scale in the
methods portion of your paper.
Relative
Value
1
2
3
4
5
Activity
Sleep
Still: Watching TV, studying
Light Exertion: Standing
Moderate Exertion: Walking
Heavy Exertion: Vigorous Exercise
Heart Rate: Measure heart rate by counting beats in your wrist pulse or neck. Count beats for
10 seconds and multiply result by 6 to get beats per minute (BPM).
Temperature: Liquid crystal temperature indicators change color as heat alters crystal
formation. Temperatures indicated by color are as follows, although your “stress test card” may
be calibrated in a different manner (use the scale on the card if it differs from the scale below).
Color
black
brown
orange
green
blue
Approximate Temperature
Less than 910F
910F to 930F
940F – 960F
970F – 980F
990F and above
Notes: Add any additional data about activity that could make the analysis of the data clearer.
Enter data on the next page
Body Data Collection Sheet
(Include in Research Project, along with summary paragraphs)
Keep your other Cardiac Function activity pages to study for the exam
Sample:
Day
Time
Activity
1
7 a.m.
1 p.m.
2
3
Heart Rate
(BPM)
72
80
Temp.
(oF)
98.4
98.8
Heart Rate
(BPM)
Temp.
(oF)
Notes
Just woke up
Walked home from class
Data Table:
Day
Time
Activity
Notes
1
2
3
4
Data Collection Techniques are described on the previous page