Lab #1: Utilizing Scientific Literature
Part I: Identifying Appropriate Scientific Literature
Today there is access to unlimited amounts of information at the push of a button. Some of this
information is accurate, other times it can be quite inaccurate even if it appears legitimate. As
you progress in your education it becomes increasingly important to use sources for your
research that are appropriate. But how do you know if an article is appropriate to use?
Guidelines for identifying appropriate scientific literature:
• What is the title of the journal? Boag & Grant 1981 Intense Natural Selection
Is the article from a reputable source? Yes, it is and because of the publisher is a
international non-profit organization and it is well known. And being used for useful and
academic journal
Is this journal well respected in the field of study? (if you are unsure just ask!)
• Who is the publisher? American Association for the Advancement of Science
• What is its focus? It focus on all science around the world as a whole, and its goal is
to serve as an educator, but this study focuas on Darwin’sfinches through a drought
on Daphne Major Island.
Is this journal (or article) specific to a certain topic, the entire discipline or
science as a whole?
• Is it a publication of a major scientific organization? Yes, it is a global organization and
it stated that the AAAS is one of the “most prestigious academic researchers
worldwide.”
• How long has it been published? It has been published since 1880.
• Is it an online journal only or is it also published in hard-copy? It is also published in
hard– copay.
• What is its impact factor? AAAS impact factor is about 41.845.
Information on Authors:
• Who is/are the author(s)? Peter T. Boag and Peter R. Grant
Do they have a good reputation?
Both authors have a great reputation, Peter T. Boag is from the department of and a
professor at Queens University and have an over 140 publications and a lot of good things are
said about his publications and his personality. Peter R. Grant is from the department of
Division of Biological Sciences and a professor at Princeton University, he and his wife
received the Kyoto prize in Japan and other many prize, after reading about his life it
indicated to me that he has a good reputation as a professor and regular person.
• Are they often cited in other works? Yes, Peter T. Boag has been cited
10, 419 times, and Peter R. Grant is about 200–250 time.
• What institution(s) do they represent? Peter T. Boag is in Queen’s University and
Peter R. Grant Princeton University.
• What is their previous publication record? Peter R. Grant previous publication is
Morphological ghosts of introgression in Darwin’s finch populations and Peter T. Boag
previous publication is he Mitochondrial and Nuclear Genetic Homogeneity of the
Phenotypically Diverse Darwin’s Ground Finches
