BIOL 4141: Evolution 1
TRU Open Learning
Assignment 1: Literature Review and Research
Proposal (15%)
This assignment is comprised of two parts: a brief review of the literature on a topic
of your choosing and a research proposal
Learning Outcomes
Assignment 1 is aimed at helping you achieve the following:
Describe any changes that have occurred in evolutionary thinking by
outlining how historical approaches are continuously modified to
accommodate new findings currently in your topic area.
Apply the principles of evolutionary theory to a myriad of contemporary
problems and questions in your chosen area of study.
Critically evaluate scientific findings in this field.
Interpret and communicate scientific knowledge and results effectively to a
wide audience (the general public and scientific community).
Justify arguments effectively, using logical and scientific support.
Identify questions and problems in current scientific knowledge and propose
novel approaches for their resolution.
Appreciate the way in which scientific inquiry is embedded in the fabric of
the society in which it exists.
Instructions
To complete Assignment 1, do the following:
Choose a research topic from the topics listed below or choose one that is of
interest to you. If you are choosing a topic that is not listed, contact your
Open Learning Faculty Member for approval.
Complete each stage of the assignment sequentially, using the descriptions
and instructions provided for each stage.
Demonstrate your grasp of the learning outcomes listed for this assignment.
Submit where noted in the Lesson Schedule
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Topics
Choose one of the following topics to research or choose one that is of interest to
you. If you are unsure of your topic area, check with your Open Learning Faculty
Member:
How did sexual conflict shape the evolution of duck pensises?
Why did humans evolve large, complex brains?
Why did humans become hairless apes? Contrasting theories of sexual
selection (e.g., preference for hairlessness) vs. natural selection (heat
management)?
Why do chimpanzees fight while bonobos make love not war?
Why do humans have concealed ovulation, while this is not true of other
primates?
Why are some species of birds sexually dimorphic (with males brightly
coloured and females more cryptic), while others are sexually monomorphic
(both sexes brightly coloured)
Why do some species have what are called “slow” life histories, while others
have “fast” life histories.
Why does a phase of life called menopause exist in some species?
Literature Review and Research Proposal
This assignment is comprised of five sections: a preliminary literature review, short
statement of the specific problem you have chosen to address, description of
proposed research, a research significance statement, and a conclusion statement.
Literature Review
Your literature review should be approximately 1000 – 1500 words and should
include at least seven references from scientific peer-reviewed journals and at least
four references from the last three calendar years. Your literature review should be a
concise review of the literature on the topic that you chose to examine for
Assignment 1. Your literature review should summarize the information found in
the research articles and then provide a concise critique of the findings for each
article.
Statement of Problem
Frame your problem in approximately 250-500 words, including at least three
references from scientific, peer-reviewed journals, with at least one reference from
the last three calendar years. Avoid use of popular press articles or websites such as
BIOL 4141: Evolution 3
TRU Open Learning
Wikipedia. The statement of the problem should derive from the information and
research gaps that you summarized in your preliminary literature review and be
used to frame your proposed research.
Proposed Research
Incorporate the clearly described statement of the problem in approximate 500-1000
words. From your problem statement, and the unknowns in the current research
that you identified in the literature review, consider how resolution of the problem
may benefit the scientific community overall. From that, form a hypothesis that will
guide your proposed research.
Research Significance
In approximately 250 words, include a discussion on how the results from proposed
studies would contribute to or benefit the scientific community and the broader
human population.
Conclusion
Provide a brief (100-200 word) summary and point to possible further research
recommendations.
Note: If you choose to use figures or tables, include titles, legends, and citations for
each one. Figures and tables should be self-explanatory; that is, they should stand-
alone.
Literature Cited
Cite your references. You should cite at least ten recent peer-reviewed articles.
Submitting Your Assignment
Use a font size that is 10 to 12 point, and use one-inch margins for the page layout.
Check your assignment for plagiarism before you submit it. Also, use the
Assessment Checklists (below) before submitting your assignment.
Submit your Open Learning Faculty Member using the Assignments Submission
Tool. For each stage, cite your references in a Literature Cited section at the end.
Writing Guidelines
For an overview of the writing expectations for this course review the “Writing
Guidelines” document (Found under the Assignments Overview tab) and follow the
“Assessment Checklist” below.
To avoid plagiarism, consult TRU Library’s page: “Plagiarism – what is it?”
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Assessment Checklists
I have included the statement of a specific problem that was identified in my
literature review.
In the statement of the problem section, I have identified potential areas of
research
In the proposed research section, I have suggested how proposed research
could be conducted
In the research significance section, I have discussed the significance of
further research for the scientific community
For each paragraph, I have included the following: a topic sentence that
makes a point, claim, or observation; evidence that illustrates or supports the
point; and an explanation of how the paragraph directly addresses the
proposal
My topic sentences relate to each other and support the purpose of my
proposal
I have included a title page.
I have used headings.
I have followed formatting requirements.
I have based my writing on clearly presented evidence.
I have used formal, concise language.
I have clearly connected different ideas
I have guarded against plagiarizing any of my sources.
I have cited at least ten scientific articles relevant to my proposal.
I have used relevant and appropriate sources (no Wikipedia)
I have edited my work for readability.
I have checked my spelling and grammar.
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Grading Rubric
(100 points; 15% of total mark)
5 points Clear statement of the problem has been included in the opening
paragraph.
10 points Literature review that summarizes the information found in each
article has been included along with a brief critique of the
information found in each article.
10 points Elements of the theory of evolution relevant for the topic chosen
has been briefly discussed.
10 points Current research relevant for the purpose of the proposal has been
reviewed in the introduction.
10 points Elements from the statement of the problem section of the
proposal has been included.
10 points How research relevant for the purpose of the proposal could be
conducted in the research proposal section of the proposal has
been suggested.
10 points Significance of further research for the scientific community in
light of the purpose of the proposal purpose has been discussed in
research significance section.
5 points Conclusion section in the proposal that summarizes the proposal
has been included.
10 points Appropriate use of literature has been demonstrated.
At least four original research articles from the last three
calendar years have been cited;
At least ten scientific articles from appropriate sources have
been used.
10 points Writing is well organized and clear
Each paragraph has included a topic sentence (a point,
claim or observation around which the paragraph revolves
and that supports the statement of the problem), examples
or evidence that illustrates or supports the point, and
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explanation of how the paragraph directly supports or
illustrates the statement of the problem in that particular
order;
Writing is based on clearly presented evidence;
Topic sentences are related to each other;
Ideas are clearly connected;
Writing flows in logical sequence;
Writing is concise
10 points Formatting requirements have been followed.
Title and appropriate subheadings Introduction, proposed
research, research significance, conclusion and literature
cited);
Length (10 double-spaced pages);
Proper formal language use;
Grammar and spelling.
100 points Total