Measuring N170 Potential using Gaming EEG System

COGS100 Lab Report

OBJECTIVE Write a highly structured report designed to help you think critically about research in neuroscience and develop skills to communicate scientific information in a clear and concise manner.

OVERVIEW Communicating scientific information is an important part of the scientific process. The results of experiments have little use if they cannot be communicated effectively to other researchers or the public at large. Scientific communication will therefore be a required part of your lab experience. For each lab, you will be asked to write a short report that follows the format of a publishable scientific article.

The research reports serve two main purposes. First, they give you an intimate understanding of the widely accepted format of scientific papers. By practicing writing in this format, you will not only prepare yourself for a potential research career, but you will gain a much deeper understanding of how scientific information is presented. Second, they give you practice communicating information clearly and concisely in written form. For each report, we will provide you with feedback designed to improve your future writing.

SPECIFICS

• Lab reports should be 600 words (2 pages double-spaced 12-pt font) maximum.

• Lab reports should be submitted electronically via Turnitin on the COGS100 iLearn site. No paper submissions will be accepted. Consult iLearn for specific submission deadlines.

• Lab reports should be divided into 4 separate (labelled) sections (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion). Each section is worth 25%.

• Introduction: The Introduction section should state the hypothesis that you tested. If relevant, identify the variables that were manipulated (independent variables) and those that were measured (dependent variables). The hypothesis might be stated in terms of the expected effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable. (25%)

• Methods: The Methods section should provide enough detail for someone else to replicate your experiment. Clearly describe the techniques used, the experimental paradigm, and what controls are in place. You cannot describe every detail, so emphasize those aspects of your experiment that are critical to the testing of your hypothesis. You can assume that the reader has basic familiarity with the standard tools of the field. For example, you don’t have to explain how EEG works and what it measures. Methods sections are written primarily in the past tense. (25%)

• Results: The Results section should communicate the main findings of your experiment (using graphs/tables/figures where appropriate). (25%)

• Discussion: The Discussion section should (1) provide an interpretation of the findings in the context of the existing scientific literature, (2) comment on the significance of your findings, (3) discuss potential limitations of the study. It may also outline future experiments that overcome these limitations. (25%)

DEPARTMENT OF COGNITIVE SCIENCE Faculty of Human Sciences