PHSI2008: Practical Report 2021
This assessment is worth 20% of your final grade for PHSI2008.
It is due Week 6, 17/9/21, 11:59pm.
Scientific publications are a means of communicating information relating to a subject area that informs the reader of the topic area, the expected and intended outcomes, and how these data sit in respect to the cu
ent field of literature.
This report aims to provide you with the ability to develop further scientific skills associated with data analysis, data visualisation and presentation, as well as written communication that are all essential when writing a scientific publication.
1. DATA ANALYSIS
Before you start your report, you will need to perform a number of calculations on the data before you present them. Here is what you need to do:
Individual Data: –
NOTE: How to perform these calculations in Excel will be discussed in the Week 4 tutorial.
· Download the excel spreadsheet from the Exercise 1 prac in Kuracloud.
· Input the following resting data from the Exercise 1 prac for your individual:
· Respiratory Rate
· Tidal volume (Vt, L)
· Fraction of expired CO2 (FECO2) %
· Fraction of expired O2 (FEO2) %
· Calculate VO2, VCO2, RER, CHO and Fat Oxidation.
· Clone the calculations from Row 1, down 10 rows and introduce a 5% e
or (i.e. x1.05) into:
· Respiratory Rate
· Tidal volume (Vt, L)
· Tgas (°C)
· Barometric pressure (mmHg)
· Relative Humidity
· Water Vapour Pressure (kPa)
· FI O2
· FI CO2
· FE O2
· FE CO2
· Clone the calculations from Row 1 again to calculate VO2 for exercising in Colorado, USA (barometric pressure = 595 mmHg).
· Clone the calculations from Row 1 again to calculate VO2 for exercising at 40°C (water vapour pressure = XXXXXXXXXXkPa). Remember you need to change two numbers!
· Calculate the delta (Δ) (i.e. the difference) in L/min between your first calculation of VO2 for the 10 rows (only the 5% e
or calculations) and then express this as a percentage change (i.e. Δ/VO2*100).
· These calculations will be included in the Appendix of the report. Details below.
Cohort Data
· Download the cohort data sheet from Canvas (2021_S2C_PHSI2008_ND / Assignments / Lab report).
· Calculate the mean, standard deviation (SD) and standard e
or of the mean (SEM) as stated below (Results/Cohort Data).
See below for further information relating to formulating your report.
2. REPORT
Structure of a scientific publication
Most ‘traditional’ scientific publications begin with a specific title that flows in to six (6) structured subheadings:
· Abstract
· Introduction
· Materials and Methods (or sometimes just methods)
· Results
· Discussion
· References
Each section is distinct but should flow from start to finish. An important aspect of scientific writing is telling the story that includes the key points that relate to: “Why we are doing this?”, “How we do this?” and “What we achieved?” Your report will include all sections as noted above.
We have provided a supporting document to assist with scientific writing. This is on Canvas
Abstract
An abstract summarises the scientific report. It should include a summary of all sections of the report as noted above (excluding references). For this report, your abstract should be no more than 250 words (hard limit).
Introduction
An introduction provides the background information that leads to a clear gap in the literature allowing you to explain to the reader how your aims and hypotheses (see below) will contribute to the field of research for the given topic. Your introduction should summarise the main physiology behind the cu
ent problem with an emphasis on the use of scholarly research to support this. Your introduction should be 500 words (±10%) including in-text reference citations and the aims and hypotheses.
· Devising an aim and hypotheses
All scientific publications generally have clear aims and hypotheses that authors strive to answer as a means of undertaking the research. Your report should include the formulation of at least one (1) hypothesis and a clear aim(s). Your hypothesis and aim will relate to what you might see during a bout of exercise given your understanding of energy metabolism or the cardiovascular system in the body. Some examples include, but are not limited to, comparing gender (female vs. male), training status (trained vs. untrained), body composition (lean vs. overweight by BMI). Choose one area of comparison to base your aims and hypothesis(es) on. This will be included in your introduction section and formulate the comparisons made within the results section.
Methods
Generally, a methods section will outline the procedure that you undertook to perform the experiment. This is written in past-tense and includes detail pertaining to being able to allow others to repeat the experiment if necessary. As you did not specifically perform the experiments, you will write a modified methods section. For the experimental section, provide a succinct summary of the experiment as outlined in Kuracloud – focused on the exercise bout, not the step-by-step technical aspects (i.e. how to connect a Douglas bag). The second section should include an overview of the data analysis that you have undertaken and how it was calculated (using excel or other statistical program) and note any statistical tests that you perform. The methods section should be no longer than 300 words.
Results
After performing the calculations as noted above, you must include the following three subsections in your results section using the Cohort Data:
1. Describing the cohort characteristics - Include a table that summarises the key demographics for the sample population (age, weight, height, BMI, lean body mass, sex and trained or untrained; mean ± SD).
a. Include a
ief summary of the trends observed
2. Describing the cohort variables of interest - Include a table that summarises the measurements that relate to your hypothesis for the resting only sample population.
a. Include a
ief summary of the trends observed
3. Describing the sub-groups within the cohort - Graph and present the mean ± SEM of the outputs (below) at ALL timepoints (rest, WR1, WR2, WR3, Recovery 1, Recovery 2) that relate to your hypotheses, e.g.:
· Heart Rate
· VO2
· Blood O2 saturation
· Energy expenditure
· CHO oxidation
· Fat oxidation
· Systolic blood pressure
· Diastolic blood pressure
· Pulse pressure
· Mean arterial pressure
· Graph and perform statistical analyses on the specific groups you have chosen that relate to your hypotheses (e.g. changes in HR between males and females).
· All graphs must have a legend.
· Include a
ief written summary that includes the key findings from the cohort data.
You should allow 400 words (± 10%) for this section
Note: for some hypotheses, it may be wise to normalise your variable (e.g. VO2) to total body weight (i.e. L/min/kg) and lean body mass (i.e. L/min/kg lean body mass) to determine whether any observed differences between groups is retained.
Discussion
A scientific discussion
ings together the context of the report and how the results fit with the field of knowledge. A common mistake is the repeating of the results without putting into context what the result means. Another common pitfall is repeating introductory information. A discussion will allow you to explore how the literature supports and/or disputes your results and hypotheses, and should lead to a clear conclusion based on the data
esults. If your data is not as you hypothesised, you should include reasons why you feel this may not be the case. The discussion is the main body of text in a scientific report and you should allow 800 words (± 10%) for this section. This includes the in-text reference citations.
References
A strong scientific report will include numerous citations refe
ing to scholarly articles rather than open websites or blogs. A minimum of five (5) scholarly articles should be refe
ed to throughout your report. Most physiology-based disciplines use the Harvard referencing and citation style. Click here to learn more about how to reference co
ectly for your report.
Appendix
This section is formative but required. This section is not included in the word count.
Using the Individual Data, insert the following:
· A graph and descriptive figure legend that compares the different variables and the observed changes in VO2 – i.e. the delta change results (both L/min and % change).
· A
ief (~50 words, no more than 3 sentences) summary of the observed results. Do not include an interpretation of the results in this section (i.e. why). You should indicate which variable induced the greatest change on VO2 when altered by 5%.
Below is an EXAMPLE of the outcomes of the individual data e
or analysis and how you may wish to present this.
Please also upload your Excel calculations for the Individual Data section so we can identify any issues.
Name your Excel file – “SID_Indiv_Data_Calcs.xlsx”
Report Formatting Requirements
- Use either Times New Roman, 12 point, or Cali
i 12 point font,
- 1.5 line spacing,
- 3 cm margins on all sides, and
- no scaling.
Remember to include page numbers.
Word limit is 2 000 words (excluding abstract, figure legends, reference list, and appendix).
Submission Checklist:
· Individual data calculations completed
· Cohort data calculations completed
· Report written and compliant with formatting guidelines
· All sections of the report completed, including Appendix
· References cited using Harvard style
· Individual data calculations, including 5% e
or check, uploaded.
Marking Ru
ic
Section\Marks
High Distinction
Distinction
Credit
Pass
Fail
TOTAL
Abstract
Clear and concise summary, including background context, key results and conclusions.
Refers to those of HD, but some minor details are missing or not clearly explained.
Missing one or more of the major components, particularly those of the results or conclusions section.
Missing several aspects and repeats information given in introduction.
No abstract included or unrelated information.
/4
Introduction
A cohesive, well-written summary of the background material relevant to the experiment with the use of appropriate references. The aims clearly articulate the purpose of the experiment.
Mostly complete but some context missing for minor points. Contains relevant information but is limited in one aspect, or a lack of cohesion is noted.
Major introductory components are missing, or explanations are unclear and confusing. References poorly used.
Little background information is provided and/or information is inco
ect. Limited or no references are provided.
No introduction included or unrelated information.
/8
Aims and hypotheses
Clear and concise description of the specific aim(s) and a descriptive hypothesis(es).
Refers to those of HD, but some minor details are missing or not clearly explained.
An aim and hypothesis is stated but a lack of clarity is observed.
Missing one or more of the