Product Description

Asking Questions in Biology is all about scientific discovery. Biology students must be able to analyse data and produce high quality reports, but before this they need to work out exactly what it is they are trying to discover. Asking Questions in Biology begins with the often overlooked (yet crucial) skill of asking the right question, in the right way. It then moves on to present the tools and techniques required to gather data, analyse this data and finally to present this data (either orally or in a formal report).

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #283783 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

From the Back Cover

Asking and answering questions is the cornerstone of science yet formal training in understanding this key process is often overlooked. That is where this book comes in...

Asking Questions in Biology unpacks the crucial process of enquiry, from a biological perspective, at its various stages. It begins with an overview of scientific question-asking in general before moving on to demonstrate how to derive hypotheses from unstructured observations. It then explains how to use statistical tests as tools to analyse data and answer those questions before, finally, showing the best practice in presenting scientific reports. As such it is an indispensable companion to all students of biology, but particularly those enrolled in courses concerning experimental design; data analysis; hypothesis testing; research methods; or any practical project work.

Key features include:

• Self-test questions and answers
• An easy-to-use ‘Quick Test Finder’
• Key topics illustrated with a wide range of examples: from ecology and behaviour to toxicology and parasitology

New to this edition:

• Greater number of statistical tests presented
• ‘Hand-calculation’ statistical tests moved to appendices, with in-text examples now using common computer packages (SPSS and Excel)
• Added sections on: using online literature databases; plagiarism; presenting findings to a non-scientific audience; and ethical considerations  

The late Chris Barnard was Professor of Animal Behaviour at Nottingham University. Francis Gilbert is Associate Professor of Ecology at Nottingham University. Peter McGregor is a Reader in Applied Zoology at Cornwall College.

Customer Reviews

so here we are...dissertation help for everyone
This book has saved my dissertation so many times that i have lost count. Any student who is studying biology related subjects at degree level should buy this book because it has the answers for almost evey question you ask yourself at the planning stage of your project. I bought this book for a second year project and it proved to be a priceless piece of literature. Step by step this book will help you plan your practical work. easy to read and not at all fuzzy this is the best book i have found for planning practical work so far. Read it and thank Chris Barnard for the ultimate help book.

something you might need to be aware of
I've just received my copy of this book and it seems at first glance to be very good (although it contains more statistics than I was expecting), but if I'm not mistaken, it is a new version of an old book which I already have; 'asking questions in biology: design, analysis and presentation in practical work' by the same authors, but published by longman scientific and technical. But IF you haven't already got that, or want a newer copy, then buy it!

Used Books
I recently bought three books for my grandson who is at Cornwall College. he is in his first year and therefore I can't cmment on the books ex cept to say they arrived on time and were in very good condition.
Dawn Bishop