Week 2.2: Can you repeat that?#
It’s really cool if you can do something new, but it only really “counts” if others can do the same and get the same results. This is how scientists verify the accuracy of results. There are things as a researcher that you should do to contribute to the reproducibility of your results. There is also the question of what does it mean if you can’t? Also, important to consider how you problem-solve if you can’t reproduce your results. The basic assumption is that if you can’t reproduce your results, you may not entirely understand what you’re doing and what factors are important.
This weeks topic is ‘reproducibility’. The components are:
Monday:
Science Spotlight
Wednesday:
Workshop:Reproducibility
Workshop: Troubleshooting
Friday:
Friday Symposium
Workshop: Reproducibility#
What are the necessary elements in reproducibility: keeping a good lab journal, writing clear and accurate methods, reading methods accurately and checking assumptions. What are the things necessary to record in your lab journal?
What does it mean?
How it’s used to judge science?
Examples of theories where lack of reproducibility unraveled a published theory.
Why keeping a lab notebook and writing clear methods sections matters.
Some of the surprising variables that can effect reproducibility–lots of examples of this though this is one of my favorites, also an excellent example of critical thinking: Comparison of Trials Using Ivermectin for COVID-19 Between Regions With High and Low Prevalence of Strongyloidiasis: A Meta-analysis | Infectious Diseases | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Network
Key concepts#
Lab journal plan, Exploration of all the things that might affect your results.
Relevant learning goals#
Clear communication of research methods, Understanding the importance of documentation, Collaboration on experiments
Workshop: Troubleshooting#
Troubleshooting is foundational to experimental work, you try something, you figure out it didn’t work the way you wanted, you figure out why, or find new things to try and repeat until you get consistent output that you want.
We all have some troubleshooting skills, in this workshop you’ll develop further skills and look at the social-emotional side of troubleshooting. Also how to develop collaborative troubleshooting skills, using collaborators can be a great way to troubleshoot.
Key Concepts#
Ways of approaching problems, Keeping track of what you’ve tried, Collaborating to troubleshoot, Identify problem spots, Evaluate variables, What are all the things that could be affecting it
Relevant learning goals#
Collaboration, Research Process, Critical Thinking
Group Activity of the Week#
Develop research strategy for the project—how do you turn a two page proposal into a step by step plan?
Identify resources you will need at various stages
Make a plan for how you’ll keep a lab notebook.
Discussion Questions#
How is your project going?
Are you finding there are things you need to change now that you’re doing it?
What areas are you concerned or uncertain about? How will you approach those? Who might have insight to help?
Why does reproducibility matter in science?
What is reproducible enough?
What is your approach to troubleshooting?
Why does explaining the problem to someone else help you solve it?
How does reproducibility and a lab journal help with troubleshooting?
What’s the strangest troubleshooting thing you’ve encountered?
What are things to take into consideration when troubleshooting?
How do you take into account your blind spots?
Weekly Submitted Assignments#
Group#
Summary of how you’ll keep a lab journal, and identify what are the key things to record in your lab journal for your project.
Individual#
Why do you think reproducibility in science matters?