Asking Questions in Biology: Key Skills for Practical Assessments and Project Work

This new edition is relevant to students taking degrees within Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Microbiology, Ecology and Biomedical Sciences.  Its unique coverage includes 1st year undergraduates taking modules in Statistics and Experimental Design, Data Analysis, Ecology and discovery-oriented laboratory courses.  Also relevant to 2nd and 3rd year undergraduates undertaking project work at this level and beyond.

Biology students need to be able to analyse data and produce high quality practical reports. These skills are essential for success in assessments, examinations and project work.

Asking Questions in Biology will help you to master the practical and data handling elements of your course, while teaching you a fundamental skill in scientific discovery.

Tried and tested with students, this unique text explains:
v Why asking the right questions is essential in any scientific enquiry
v How to design experiments and project work
v How to approach analysing data, using principles that apply with any statistical package
v How to present your results including figures and tables

Features include:
v Self-test questions and answers
v An easy-to-use Quick Test Finder
v Key topics are illustrated with a wide range of examples from ecology and behaviour to toxicology and parasitology.

This second edition continues to provide an invaluable text for practical courses in biology. It is especially useful for courses that emphasise hypothesis testing and data analysis, and as a guide for students working on assessed projects.

Chris Barnard is Professor of Animal Behaviour and Francis Gilbert is Senior Lecturer in Ecology both at the University of Nottingham. Peter McGregor is Head of the Department of Animal Behaviour in the Zoological Institute at the University of Copenhagen.