Plant/Animal Interactions (Evolution)

3) Organized as follows: I. Introduction. A. Scientific Premise/big picture. What are the fundamental questions or hypotheses in science addressed by the article? These are usually in the introduction and in the discussion. Note that this is NOT the same as the specific research questions of the study.

B. Societal relevance. How is this question or hypothesis relevant to broader societal interests: e.g. conservation, agriculture, economy, culture, etc.? Also in the introduction and discussion. Read Chapter 13 of Schoonhoven et al. Insect-Plant Biology for more on societal relevance.

II. Background.
A. What previous research has been done on this question/hypothesis? What conclusions have been drawn? This is given in the articles introduction. You must present information from background readings, including at least 3 articles from the primary literature, cite properly!

B. Background/natural history of the specific study system (species, genus, ecosystem, etc.). Previous research on this study system. This is given in the articles introduction and/or materials and methods. Present information from background readings, including at least 2 articles from the primary or secondary literature, cite properly!

III. Specific research questions addressed/ hypotheses tested in the article. This is given at the end of the introduction.

IV. Research methods. Describe what the authors did and why? Consider and discuss the following:
A. Why did the authors chose this study system and research approach?
B. What would be the ideal dataset to answer the research questions/ test the hypotheses posed by the authors? Assume they had unlimited time and money and a time machine if they needed it.
C. How well does the actual dataset fit the ideal dataset? Does it fall short of the ideal somehow, e.g. does it have biases or gaps relative to the ideal dataset? Why was the actual dataset used instead of the ideal dataset? Is the ideal dataset possible? (There are no time machines.) What was the cost of obtaining the actual dataset relative to the ideal dataset?
V. Results and interpretation. Provide the authors interpretation of the results, and give your interpretation if it differs from those of the authors. Do the data support alternative interpretations from the ones given by the authors? Point out any problems or questions as you go.

VI. Summary and Conclusions, both the authors and yours.

VIII. Your commentary. What did you find particularly compelling and/or unconvincing? How well do the results support the authors conclusions? What alternative conclusions can be drawn from the same results? How would you distinguish between them? What questions are still unanswered? How would you answer them? What next steps would you suggest? How does this study advance our understanding of the scientific premise addressed? How has it impacted subsequent research in the field? How does this study enrich your understanding of the content of this class? How does it connect to something else that you are interested in?

IX. Lead discussion. Prepare at least two questions to pose to the class. Ask others for their questions and reflections.

This does not need to be in a formal essay format. A bullet or paragraph for each section is fine but please make sure all the questions asked are answered within the bullets. Please simply go through all the points and answer very analytically and critacally. Everything needs to be completely detailed