| Lab courses typically...
| Research...
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- are designed to demonstrate and/or reinforce major concepts
| - is designed to push the envelope of current knowledge, and may focus only on a single, highly specialized aspect
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- use classic, well-proven techniques
| - may require development and refinement of new techniques or new applications for existing techniques
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- use techniques that are easy to master
| - may use techniques that require considerable training, expertise and, in some instances, certification
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- use protocols that are provided to you
| - sometimes requires you to develop your own protocols
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- do not require you to replicate your data
| - requires replication for statistical analysis
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- introduce new subject matter each week
| - is often repetitive and narrowly focused
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- use experiments that fit into a 2-3 hour time window
| - experiments may take days or months for a single replicate
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- allow for some measurement and procedural error, since their purpose is to teach you new techniques
| - relies on minimalization of error; results must be accurate and reliable
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- provide you with frequent feedback (e.g., grades)
| - often results in feedback only after much time and effort have been expended (i.e., peer review)
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- are carried out under the close supervision of teaching assistant, with the help of a lab partner, in the company of a class full of other students who are all working on the same thing
| - must be carried out independently, often with minimal supervision
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