Disease+Research+Project

toc =Research Process=

=Infectious Disease Research Project Product Descriptor= You have contracted an infectious disease. (Your assigned disease is on this [|spreadsheet].) We have created a disease support network for you to join called [|Infectious Support]. This is a Ning, where you can post information about your disease and work with others to find out more about the **epidemiology** //(the study of a disease and how it spreads)// of your infectious disease.
 * The Task:**

You will conduct research to create **concise** //(to the point)// and summarize the pertinent (//most important)// information in your posts to the ning.

Citing sources is always important. Because we are posting our information online, it is especially important that you cite your research in your posts.

You will be evaluated based on the following criteria.
 * Criteria and Assessment**

**__Demonstrating Content Knowledge__**
Your participation in the Infectious Support Ning should demonstrate your content knowledge about infectious diseases. You should define vocabulary specific to your disease. Your posts need to show you understand the material and are not copying it. //**Summarize**// the information. __Please review the academic honesty policy.__ Clear connections should be made between the various aspects of your research, exhibiting a thorough understanding of this disease. You can help to establish the depth of your content knowledge in your replies to the posts of other group members. See the [|rubric].

__**Back-story on "My page"**__ Each group member should create a **scenario** of how you became infected. The scene should integrate some of the physical symptoms of the disease you are experiencing and include the mode of transmission. This back-story should introduce you to your support group by giving important information they might need to know about you (age, sex, state or country you live in, occupation, treatment you are seeking, etc.). Be creative in creating your profile, and bear in mind that your back-story needs to be plausible for your disease. See the [|rubric].

**__Posts to your group__**
Each disease will have 6 discussion sections as follows. Each member will contribute to each section, either as the primary post or in responses to the other posts. Each member will also contribute to the resources section. Each section has prompts for you to research and answer.
 * 1) //__**Symptoms**__//
 * 2) //__**Cause**__//
 * 3) //__**Transmission**__//
 * 4) //__**Treatment**__//
 * 5) **__//Epidemiology//__**
 * 6) **__//Resources//__**


 * **Primary post**: Each group member is responsible for 1 or 2 primary posts (See assignments in the [|spreadsheet]) . You need to use the resources gathered by your group to construct a response to the prompts. Don't forget to cite your sources in your post. Each member will be evaluated on your primary post. See the [|rubric].
 * **Responses:** Each group member is also responsible to __//respond to each primary post//__ in the discussion sections. A response must contribute significantly to the discussion by adding in new information, or relating information to another discussion section in the Ning. You may contribute to discussions in other disease groups, but will only be evaluated on the posts to your group. Posts that detract from the discussion will lower your score on the [|rubric].
 * **Additional prompts:** Mrs. Raines or Ms. Wooten may post additional prompts for your group to respond to. In that case, you will be scored for those responses as well.

__**Resources**__
All sources should be cited using MLA standards. Be sure that the information is __current__. General information about the disease can be easily obtained from traditional sources like encyclopedias. Wikipedia may be used as a backgrounder to gain understanding, but cannot be a cited source in your Ning. If you gather information from Wikipedia, you should verify it from another source and cite that source. See the [|rubric].
 * One source must be from a peer reviewed journal. You do not need to read the article but need to read the abstract.

**__Mechanics and Writing Style__**
All standard rules of mechanics should be followed. Please follow MLA guidelines. See the [|rubric].
 * For your formal posts, please use appropriate style for science writing.
 * Use evidence in your writing as much as possible. Cite specific data to support your points.
 * Direct quotes or information used mostly unchanged needs to be cited properly with MLA citations.
 * PROOFREAD! (ex. Check formatting, spacing, paragraph and spelling issues)
 * Write your posts in a word processor (Pages, etc) so you can avoid losing content and can proofread it before posting.

__**Summative Assessment**__
Additionally, you will gather current and historical data on the "reported cases" of your disease. Individually, you will create a **table(s) and graph(s**) using the current statistics you gather from current sources. Follow the criteria for data table and graph listed. Using this mathematical information and the content on the Infectious Support Ning, you will **make predictions** about the future possible occurrences of the disease. This is a summative assessment and will take place in class.