Microsoft Word - SYL_ XXXXXXXXXXdocx 1 BIOLOGY OF INSECTS AND RELATED ARTHROPODS Research project: Exploration of the entomological literature (35% of the final grade, including 10% for Step 1 and 25%...

Research project: Exploration of the entomological literature



Microsoft Word - SYL_3225-20.docx 1 BIOLOGY OF INSECTS AND RELATED ARTHROPODS Research project: Exploration of the entomological literature (35% of the final grade, including 10% for Step 1 and 25% for Step 2) The main objective of the research project is to improve your literature search skills and to become more familiar with the entomological literature, including primary research articles published in journals. For this project, you must do the following: - Step 1: Choose one article from the news media that reports about research conducted with some arthropod(s). The article should pique your interest and must clearly indicate the source of information (e.g., hyperlink), which should be a journal article. One of the quickest ways to look for news articles could be by using relevant keywords like arthropods, insects or more specific terms in the Google News search engine. Articles can be published in newspapers, magazines or any kind of electronic news media. You must write a report containing the following: a) page title with your name b) references for your news article and the source (journal article), c) brief outlines of the two articles (about one paragraph per outline). - Step 2: Media coverage and research about the arthropod(s) selected in Step 1 You must find at least five additional articles from the news media (e.g., using Google News) and at least five additional journal articles (e.g., using Google Scholar). Then, you must write a report (double space) that will contain the following: a) a title page with your name b) an introduction briefly describing the biology of the selected arthropod(s) (taxonomic group, life cycle, morphology, etc.); 500 +/- 50 words c) a discussion about how the selected arthropod is covered in the news media, i.e., topics or aspects described, overall perception (positive or negative aspects); 1000 +/- 100 words d) a discussion about the aspects and objectives of the research conducted with the selected arthropod; 1000 +/- 100 words e) a bibliography consisting in a list of references cited in your report, sorted in alphabetical order according to the first author’s last name