BIO111: Group Research Background

The class session includes an activity and introduction of new homework.
The new homework is related to the Research Background assignment, which is due next Monday.
The instructor provided comments on the initial homework submissions, aiming to foster growth through feedback.

The instructor admitted to being lenient in grading the first homework assignment.
Emphasis was placed on evaluating students comprehensively in their first submission.
Positive feedback was given to students whose submissions did not receive comments; they were acknowledged for their good work.

The instructor encourages students to carefully review comments given on their initial submissions.
The instructor highlighted the importance of using reputable sources for research:
- Students should focus on journal articles or review articles relevant to their topics.
- Acceptable sources include established organizations:
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Avoid using information from general informational websites; examples include less reliable or not academically rigorous sites (e.g., some Harvard Medical resources).

Proper formatting of submissions is crucial to academic and research success.
If the assignment specifies a 2-page limit, students must adhere strictly to this requirement; exceeding or failing to meet page specifications will negatively impact evaluations.
Importance of detailed adherence to formatting is reinforced:
- Non-compliance with format specifications can lead to rejections in future applications, such as for scholarships.

The instructor noted that some submitted research topics were too broad and vague.
Advice given: students should refine their topics to be more specific and well-defined.
- Avoid stating generalized problems without specifying the focused issue being explored.

The Research Background assignment is due next Monday.
Discussion about the assignments will take place during the next class, facilitating an interactive environment for improvement.
After the Monday deadline, the instructor will assign a new mentor to each group, aiding in their next steps.
On Wednesday, there will not be a regular class, but students are required to meet with their assigned mentor to:
- Present their Research Background.
- Seek feedback and guidance on their future aims and tasks related to the research they are conducting.
The mentor's role will be to assist in refining students' ideas and approaches for their projects.

The class emphasizes collaborative learning and seeks to instill the importance of precise research practices, strict adherence to formatting, and the utility of mentor feedback in academic projects.
Students should actively engage with feedback and mentoring opportunities to improve their research and presentation skills for the future.