BIOL 414 - Principles of Biology II (UNH Manchester): Activity

Research Paper Guide: Developing a Focused Topic and Finding Articles

Welcome to the research guide for your assignment on the impact of climate change on plants or animals. This guide will help you complete your assignments due January 28 and January 29.

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Step 1: Choosing Your Research Topic

Your topic should focus on how climate change affects a specific plant or animal. Follow these steps to narrow your focus:

1. Brainstorm: Consider plants or animals impacted by climate change (e.g., coral reefs, polar bears, bees, oak trees).
2. Focus: Select a specific species and consider particular effects (e.g., habitat loss, migration changes, or disease vulnerability).

Examples of Focused Topics

• The effects of rising temperatures on polar bear hunting patterns.
• The impact of ocean acidification on coral reef ecosystems.
• Changes in bee populations due to shifts in flowering plant cycles.

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Step 2: Finding a Background Article in The Scientist

Use an article from The Scientist as a background source to better understand your topic.

1. Visit The Scientist Website: Click here to access The Scientist.
2. Search for Articles: Use keywords like "climate change AND coral reefs" or "global warming AND polar bears."
3. Evaluate the Article: Ensure the article provides credible background information about your topic.

Submit by January 28

• Your research topic and thesis.

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Step 3: Develop a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is your argument or claim about your topic. It should be:

1. Specific: Clearly address one aspect of the topic.
2. Arguable: Present a claim that can be supported with evidence.
3. Researchable: Grounded in scholarly sources.

Examples of Thesis Statements

• "Rising ocean temperatures are accelerating coral bleaching, threatening biodiversity in tropical marine ecosystems."
• "Global warming is causing polar bears to lose critical hunting opportunities, reducing their populations."

Submit by January 29

• Your focused research topic (e.g., "The effects of climate change on coral reefs").
• The keywords or string you used to find about 10 relevant articles
• Your thesis statement (you can revise it later).

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Step 4: Searching for Additional Articles

After selecting your topic, use library databases to find more scholarly articles.

1. Generate Keywords: Break your topic into key terms and include synonyms.
   • Example for "impact of global warming on polar bears":
     • Keywords: "climate change," "global warming," "polar bears," "hunting patterns."
   • Example keyword string:
     • "global warming" AND "polar bears" AND "habitat loss"
2. Use Boolean Operators:
   • AND: Narrows results (e.g., "climate change AND bees").
   • OR: Broadens results (e.g., "climate change OR global warming").
   • NOT: Excludes terms (e.g., "climate change NOT policy").
3. Databases to Use:
   • Academic Search Complete
   • Library Search Box
   • GreenFILE

Submit by January 29

• A list of keywords or search strings that helped you find about 10 relevant articles.

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Workshop: February 5

Bring the following to the research workshop:

• Your focused topic and thesis statement.
• The URL of your article from The Scientist.
• The keywords or search strings you’ve developed.
• Be prepared to practice APA 7 citation

During the workshop, we will refine your research skills and discuss strategies for finding scholarly sources.

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