REPORTING ON A BIOLOGICAL ISSUE:
A biology topic is an issue where people hold different opinions or viewpoints about something !!! (e.g. the Swine Flu epidemic, using 1080 to control possums, animal cloning, genetic modification of plants).
A general agreed question/purpose about the issue is refined by the student to guide their research, e.g. with the general question of whether to use 1080 to control possums, a single, refined question could be, 'Should the aerial drop of 1080 be used to control possums in New Zealand native forests?'
‘Taking a position’ on the issue means stating a personal opinion for or against an aspect (or aspects) of the issue, rather than simply describing how the research was carried out. Justifying a position at Merit and Excellence means saying why a personal opinion is held with specific reference to the researched information used. A recommendation for action involves the student clearly stating what should be done about the issue, as well as giving reasons why.
‘Evaluating sources’includes identifying those that provide biological ideas relevant to the question, discussing whether a source is accurate, up-to-date, unbiased, complete, or providing reasons why a particular source was/was not used.
Report comprehensively involves:
- refining a given or agreed question or purpose
- identifying multiple links between the biological ideas that are related to the question or purpose
- collecting and processing primary or secondary data and/or information from a range of sources
- evaluating sources of information/data in respect to the question or purpose
- identifying at least two different points of view supported by evidence
- taking and justifying (with evidence) a own personal viewpoint/position on the issue with a recommendation for action
- presenting findings.
Data or information for processing must be collected from a range of sources. Sources may be provided to the student. Sources of data and information must be recorded in a way that can be accessed by others.
- Processing information could involve listing, sorting, collating, highlighting, or summarising relevant scientific information.
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