I have to do a research paper for my biology class, and I'm having a hard time understanding what to exactly write about. The directions are written way different then how my teacher has ever addressed anything, I emailed her for clarification but it doesn't seem like she will email back soon. Can you guys help?
This is the part that is confusing me:
Each student will research stream ecology and indicators for biotic integrity from multiple sources. You may use your text to help you narrow your ideas and begin to find resources. A minimum of five sources should be used with all sources coming from a peer review journal.
What exactly is the main topic I should be researching for?
Your assignment is to research and write about "stream ecology and indicators for biotic integrity."
The assignment is to write an 'Annotated Bibliography on Stream Ecology' if that helps what we are focused on right now
When she says to narrow down my ideas, is this to focus on a particular biotic integrity?
Yes. Focus on a particular biotic integrity.
Thank you, I was just making sure I started this off correctly
You are welcome.
Based on the directions provided, it seems like the main topic you should be researching for your biology paper is "stream ecology and indicators for biotic integrity." Let's break down the instructions to better understand what this means:
1. Stream Ecology: This refers to the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment within a stream ecosystem. It involves understanding the biological, chemical, and physical processes that occur in streams, as well as the various organisms that inhabit them.
2. Indicators for Biotic Integrity: Biotic integrity refers to the health and condition of an ecosystem, specifically in this case, a stream ecosystem. Indicators are measurements or observations that help assess the overall quality or health of an ecosystem. So, you will be researching and identifying specific indicators that can be used to assess the health of a stream ecosystem.
To get a more comprehensive understanding of these topics, and to find suitable resources for your research paper, here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Start by reading your biology textbook. Look for relevant sections or chapters that discuss stream ecology and indicators for biotic integrity. This will help you gain a basic understanding of the concepts and potentially give you some ideas for further research.
2. Use your textbook as a starting point to find additional resources. Look for scientific journals related to stream ecology, freshwater biology, or environmental science. These journals often publish articles that focus on specific aspects of stream ecology and may include studies on indicators for assessing the health of stream ecosystems.
3. Access online databases or search engines specifically designed for academic research, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, or Web of Science. Enter keywords related to stream ecology, biotic integrity indicators, or any specific subtopics you are interested in exploring. This will help you find peer-reviewed journal articles that contain valuable information for your paper. Make sure to filter the search results to show only peer-reviewed articles.
4. Aim to gather at least five reliable sources from peer-reviewed journals. These sources should provide evidence-based information and support your arguments in the research paper. Be sure to critically evaluate each source to ensure its credibility and relevance to your topic.
Remember, since your teacher specified that all sources should come from peer-reviewed journals, it's essential to focus on scholarly research articles to support the information you present in your paper.