Transcript Session1-Cal - California State University, Los Angeles

California RET
Communications-Session 1
Agenda
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Reviewing the goals of the NSF RET program
Writing the hypothesis, problem statement, or research
question
Reviewing RET reporting requirements
Understanding common mistakes in technical writing
a. Words
b. Sentences
c. Paragraphs
Reporting on your Summer experience
Reviewing project management issues for teachers
Writing your report
a. Outlines
b. Abstracts
Budgeting for your project
Understanding scientific ethics
Goal of the RET program
The Research Experiences for Teachers (RET)
program supports the active involvement of K-12
teachers and community college faculty in
engineering research in order to bring knowledge
of engineering and technological innovation into
their classrooms.
NSF Hypotheses
• Immersing K-16 teachers in university
research activities, under the supervision of
funded PIs, will result in the teachers
introducing hands-on, inquiry-based activities
in their science, math, and technology
classrooms.
• Adopting and adapting hands-on, inquirybased activities in science, math, and
technology K-16 classrooms will increase
learning among students. The impact will be
assessed by test score improvements, career
choice indications, and other measures of
subject mastery.
Hypothesis Defined
A hypothesis is a 'small' cause and effect
statement about a specific set of
circumstances. It represents a belief that a
researcher possesses before conducting a
satisfactory number of experiments that
could potentially disprove that belief.
The Hypothesis, Problem Statement
or Research Question
• The difference between the way things are
and the way things ought to be.
• The cause-effect relationship being proposed.
• No more than three to five sentence
paragraph.
• Elements:
– Statement of the problem (evidence of the
importance of the problem).
– Realistic solution-the relationship (indication of
the path to the solution).
– Quantitative/Qualitative criteria for measuring the
solution.
Hypothesis example
Cardiac arrest and subsequent neurological damages
represent the leading cause of morbidity and devastating
disabilities. Currently success of the resuscitation effort
depends significantly on minimizing cerebral complications,
yet little treatment strategies are available to ameliorate brain
damages. Utilizing novel techniques in electro-physiological
monitoring and gene expression studies, this proposal aims to
show that the progression of cerebral injury can be
quantitatively characterized by brain’s cellular and electrical
responses. This approach allows for the identification of
molecular cascades that influence neurological damages and
exploitation of potential pharmacological targets for
therapeutic intervention. The outcome of investigation will
lead to objective measures of therapies centered to enhance
cerebral tolerance of oxygen deprivation by stimulating
protective cellular mechanisms to facilitate recovery.
With hands-on learning and clearly
written instructions, students can connect
with technology, perform at all levels of
taxonomy and have real-life experiences.
In opposition to national trends, the incidence
of AIDS among the homeless in Baltimore has
increased by more than 30% in the last six
years. The disease’s progression for many of
these individuals is accelerated by the fact that
most of these homeless individuals are IV drug
users. The establishment of a residential facility
to house homeless individuals stricken with
AIDS would provide a controlled environment
for the treatment of both their addictions and
illness.
Cardiovascular diseases is the leading cause of
death in the United States, and five million years of
potential life are estimated to be lost annually.
Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation restores spontaneous
circulation to about 70,000 cardiac arrest patients a
year in the US, but 60% of these patients die
subsequently in the hospital due to extensive brain
damage and only 10% are able to resume their normal
lifestyles. There are currently no approved drugs to
improve patient quality of life or neurological
function. A recent emerging trend suggests that use
of the body's natural defense pathways, a mechanism
called preconditioning, can lead to robust recovery
and improved outcomes. First, I hope to quantify the
injury precisely using brain rhythms, neurological
behavior scoring and cell morphology in a rat model.
Second, I hope to optimize the preconditioning
effect. Finally, I hope to elucidate possible
mechanisms of preconditioning and mimick the
preconditioning effect through pharmacological
intervention to establish the effectiveness of
preconditioning pathways.
Students in grades 5 and 6 are America’s
future. But the vast majority of these students
are performing at sub-standard academic levels.
This project aims to engage students in an
applied research project analyzing the water
quality of the Chesapeake Bay. Activities will
include collecting samples, testing, analysis of
impact and reporting results. The standardized
science scores for students engaged in the
project will improve by 12 percent.
Tissue loss and organ failure are serious health
problems that account for nearly half of all U.S.
health care expenditures. The advent of polymer
scaffolds has led to rapid advances in tissue
regeneration, but current scaffold materials are not
well suited for promoting the regeneration of some
soft tissues. With the development of novel
biopolymers, tissue-engineering scaffolds can be
developed to yield successful regeneration of these
soft tissues. Naturally occurring cell binding motifs
will be incorporated in biopolymers capable of
forming physiologically reversible hydrogels. This will
be accomplished using novel methods in genetic
engineering, and will result in “intelligent” hydrogels
that will aid in the regeneration of specific types of
soft tissue in the human body.
A significant portion of the Earth’s nonsubmerged surface is unfit for normal forms of
farming due to extreme aridity, and the inhabitants
suffer from malnutrition. If it were possible to build a
portable, durable, and completely encapsulated
system which is partially self-subsistent, then these
people would not need to go hungry- they could
cultivate their own food without evaporative loss. My
solution is a double-shelled system capable of
supporting both plants and fish in a symbiotic and
highly efficient way. The purpose of this particular
stage is to prove that the system is capable of
working, with no degradation, for a period of not less
than three (3) weeks.
In North America alone, millions of people are victims
of theft in their home each year. Often times these
victims fail to install security systems because they are
too expensive or troublesome. However, a portable,
simple, and cost effective motion sensor and auto-dialer
could be installed in every home in America. This
would ideally reduce theft by 100% in the homes that
had these systems installed.
RET teachers have two hypotheses.
• Your Summer research activity
• The curriculum innovation you plan to introduce
1. Robotics in surgical applications have significantly improved the
accuracy of such procedures, minimizing unintentional damage to the
patient. Currently, our surgical assistance mechanism utilizes computermonitored human control of the x, y, and z-axes of motion to take biopsy
samples. The insertion of the biopsy needle occurs along the z-axis and is
the motion that presents the greatest potential to cause damage. Therefore,
it is our goal to add robotic control to this axis of motion, removing human
error in the insertion process.
2. Students who realize the context of physics and engineering are proven
to gain greater enjoyment and deeper understanding of the subjects. An
interesting application of electricity and mechanics is found in the surgical
assistance devices used in cutting-edge hospitals around the world. This
project aims to engage students in the study of electricity and mechanics as
it relates to the function of a model surgical system, thereby integrating the
SDE curricula with a highly engaging application. Activities will include
analyzing robotic components, devising a strategy for safe tumor removal,
and performing a simulated surgery. The heightened interest will improve
student performance on formal assessments.
Readability Studies
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Word choice (including verb usage)
Sentence length and structure
Paragraph structure
Punctuation
Words
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Select strong vigorous words
Use familiar words
Use specialized words with caution
Use concrete words
Prefer active to passive voice
Avoid overuse of camouflaged verbs
Concrete Words
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A sizable profit
Good accuracy
The leading student
The majority
In the near future
A work-saving machine
Light in weight
Easy to measure
Use Simple Wording
• Use words with simple, clear meaning:
be cognizant of
commence
utilize
facilitate
optimum
should it prove to be the case
with the possible exception of
for the reason that
How to Win at Wordsmanshlp
0. integrated
1. total
2. systematized
3. parallel
4. functional
5. responsive
6. optional
7. synchronized
8. compatible
9. balanced
0. management
1. organizational
2. monitored
3. reciprocal
4. digital
5. logistical
6. transitional
7. incremental
8. third-generation
9. policy
0. options
1. flexibility
2. capability
3. mobility
4. programming
5. concept
6. time-phase
7. projection
8. hardware
9. contingency
Philip Broughton, Public Health Service
Avoid Using Sexist Words
Plural
Reword the sentence
Neutral expressions
Avoid male dominance expressions
Clear Writing
Use words appropriately:
its it’s
their there
which that
lie lay
Choose the Right Words
We produced a small (amount, number) of
automobiles this year, even (fewer, less) than
last year.
Exercise: We produced a small number of
automobiles this year, even fewer than last
year.
Discussion: The words “number” and
“fewer” are appropriate because the
sentence refers to a quantity that can be
counted.
The serum had serious side (affects,
effects).
Exercise: The serum had serious side
effects.
Discussion: Affect refers to feelings or
influence; effect refers to results or
consequences.
Every 250 years, Pluto completes (its, it's)
orbit about the sun.
Exercise: Every 250 years, Pluto completes
its orbit about the sun.
Discussion: Its is possessive for it; it’s is a
contraction for it is.
When a photon in that energy range
strikes the atom, the atom (looses, loses)
one of its outer electrons.
Exercise: When a photon in that energy
range strikes the atom, the atom loses one
of its outer electrons.
Discussion: The verb "lose" means to part
with or to miss from one's possession. The
word "loose" is generally used as an
adjective, meaning not rigidly fastened.
When used as a verb, "loose" means to let
loose and implies a conscious act,
something an electron does not perform.
The talk centered (around, on) the
(principal, principle) of virtual work.
Discussion: The talk centered
on the principle of virtual
work.
This report discusses how the eruption
(affected, effected) the surrounding
terrain.
Discussion: In this case, affected is correct
because the volcano acted upon or
influenced the surroundings.
Last year, Japan (lead, led) the world in
automobile sales.
Exercise: Last year, Japan led the world in
automobile sales.
Discussion: The word "led" is the past tense
of the verb "to lead"
We then sent the broken part to John
Brooks, (who, whom) the laser group had
recommended.
Exercise: We then sent the broken part to
John Brooks, whom the laser group had
recommended.
Discussion: The word "who" is used for
the subject of the dependent clause;
"whom" is used for the direct object,
indirect object, or object of a preposition
in the dependent clause.
Reduced weight was the (principal,
principle) reason for choosing aluminum.
Discussion: Principal is correct here
because it means main or primary.
Neither the engineers (nor, or) the
technicians were hurt in the blaze.
Discussion:
neither/nor
either/or
All the bombings involved explosives (that
/ , which) contained the chemicals PETN
and RDX.
That is correct because the composition of
the explosives was not restricted to two
chemicals.
All the bombings involved Semtex (that/ ,
which) contains the chemicals PETN and
RDX.
In this case it is restrictive, so ‘,which’ is
most appropriate.
To treat a bite from the puff adder, select
the anti-venom serum (, which counteracts
the adder's poison. / that counteracts the
adder's poison.)
Discussion: The answer depends on the
situation. If there is only one anti-venom
serum and the information about
counteracting the adder's poison is additional
information for the reader's knowledge, then
use the "which" clause. If there are several
anti-venom serums and the information
about counteracting the adder's poison
identifies the type of serum to select, then
use the "that" clause.
(Hopefully, / It is hoped that) the
antibodies will destroy the cancer cells.
Exercise: It is hoped that the antibodies
will destroy the cancer cells.
Discussion: The word hopefully means in a
manner full of hope, not it is hoped that. A
correct use would be as follows: "We looked
hopefully to the courts for a ruling on the
contract dispute."
Keep sentences short
• Include an average 16 to 18 words per
sentence
• Use commas, colons and semi-colons
sparingly and appropriately.
• Place related words close together.
Active /Passive
• The new process is believed to be superior by
the investigators.
• The policy was enforced by the committee.
• The office will be inspected by Mr. Hall.
• A gain of 30.1% was recorded for soft-line
sales.
• It is desired by the office that the problem
should be brought before the board.
Camouflaged Verbs
• Amortization of the account was
effected by the staff.
• Control of the water was not possible.
• The new policy involved the
standardization of the procedures.
• Application of the mixture was
accomplished.
Clear Writing
• Avoid fuzzy or inappropriate use of
words:
The intrinsic labyrinth of wires must be
first disentangled. The liquid contents
of container should then be disgorged
via the spout by the operator.
When the element numbered one is brought
into tactual contact with the element
numbered two, when the appropriate
conditions of temperature have been met
above the previously determined safety point,
then there will be exhibited a tendency for the
appropriate circuit to be closed and
consequently to serve the purpose of
activating an audible warning device.
When the heat rises above the set safety point,
element one touches element two, closing a
circuit and setting off a bell.
Clear Writing
• Keep subject, verb, and object close
together.
A comprehensive evaluation of the operational
retraining program and of the progress of the 10,000
to 15,000 pilots who change specialties each year is
underway.
Objective Versus Personal Writing
• Objective = third person
• Personal = first person
• Avoid awkward references
– In the opinion of the researcher this
conclusion supports the need for additional
research.
Lists - Parallel Construction
• Sentence
– Research is continuing on the increase in
red cells.
• Noun phrase
– Increase in red cells
• Decapitated sentence
– Unable to determine why red cells are
increasing.
The three largest earthquakes occurred
in San Francisco, Tokyo and Lima.
Original: The three largest
earthquakes occurred in San
Francisco, Tokyo, and Lima.
Discussion: While the comma
following "Tokyo" is optional, it is
certainly not incorrect.
The three largest earthquakes occurred
between San Francisco and Palo Alto,
within ten miles of Tokyo, and in the
mountains above Lima.
The three largest earthquakes occurred
around the Pacific rim:
• between San Francisco and Palo Alto
• within ten miles of Tokyo
• in the mountains above Lima.
The three largest earthquakes occurred
around the Pacific rim:
• in a rural area between San Francisco and
Palo Alto;
• in an urban location two miles south of
Tokyo’s city center; and
• in the mountains forty miles east of Lima.
Clear Writing
• Write sentences averaging less than twenty
words.
• Avoid compound tenses for simplicity and
certainty (could, should).
• Avoid ‘there is’ and ‘there are.’
• Write a clear topic statement for every
paragraph.
• Avoid wordy or superfluous statements like
‘The purpose of my paper is . . ’
• Watch for tense changes
– ‘By May 1, grant decisions will be made,
and funding is distributed by June 1.’