MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Abstract: I have written a laboratory manual that contains background information detailing the type of research that is conducted in Dr. Biswas’s lab, tips regarding laboratory safety practices, and directions for an experiment. The primary focus of research in Dr. Biswas’s lab is examining the phenolic properties found in natural fruit by-products specifically berry pomace. Berry pomace is a by-product of the fruit juice industry and every year millions of pounds of pomace is produced, and are either discarded into landfills or fed to livestock. What is unique about this particular byproduct is that it has been found to possess a large amount of diverse phenolic compounds within them. Phenolic compounds have been known to exhibit antioxidant, and other various physiological properties within the body, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-microbial activities. These unique properties are important when discussing the health of individuals and are what led researchers such as Dr. Biswas to investigate them. As an undergraduate student researcher, you will be expected to perform the extraction of phenolic contents in berry pomace, as well as adhering to the safety guidelines, and the procedures that I have written in the manual. Lastly, while it is important that you figure things out on your own, do not hesitate to ask questions if you are confused. Failure to properly follow the directions I have listed in the manual, can lead to miscalculation of the total phenolic content berry pomace contains and ruin Dr. Biswas’s data.

Reader’s Profile: I am imagining a reader who believes that this manual is “unnecessary”, and can simply figure it out on his or her own.

Reader’s Response: I see that you have provided extensive background information regarding the therapeutic properties edible berries possess, as well as a detailed procedure for the extraction of the phenolic contents berry pomace possesses. However, don’t you think this manual is a little too much? Do I really need this laboratory manual, I am sure that I will be able to figure these things on my own. Plus, I have taken plenty of lab courses here at the University of Maryland so I already know about laboratory safety practices. Lastly, I am confident that I will not mess up the data seeing as though I can always restart the experiment anytime I want. Thank you for the advice, but I am positive I will be okay.

S -- remind this reader about the integrity of research data and the role that procedures can play in keeping the data sets relatively "clean" from technician error or variation.