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If you search hard enough, you can find a 'How To...' guide about almost anything these days!
If you search hard enough, you can find a ‘How To…’ guide about almost anything these days!

One of the most amazing aspects of the Internet is its ability to help people find out how to do things they never knew how to do. This sort of self-learning has been available in many Western countries for a number of years (have you ever heard of a public library?), but the Internet makes such learning possible with unprecedented speed and variety.

On this page, you will find links to pages that attempt to steer you to places on the web where the self-learning of science-related skills and practices is both possible and probable.

CALCULATE
Much scientific work involves quantification. In other words, determining the amount or number of something mathematically. Among other sorts of calculations, this page will help you learn how to calculate things like percents, mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation…and much more.

COLLECT
Much scientific work involves collecting. Whether insects, birds, atoms, molecules, leaves, lizards, bacteria, viruses, rocks, or bones…many scientists have to assemble collections of either living or non-living things. This page will help you learn not only how to collect, preserve, and transport these things, but also how to make collections that are scientifically useful.

DESCRIBE
Much scientific work involves the careful description of events, objects, organisms, happenings, occurrences, instances and phenomena. This page will help you learn how to make scientific descriptions by attending to important practices such as observing & recording.

DISSECT
Dissection is still an important practice in many of the modern sciences, as well as in medicine. This page will help you learn how to make scientific dissections, whether it involves plants (including parts of plants such as flowers, single fruits, nuts, or vegetables) or animals.

GRAPH
Much scientific work involves the visual transformation of data. Such visual displays, often called “charts” and “graphs,” feature prominently in most scientific research articles. This page will help you improve your ability to make graphs and charts that are commonly found in scientific publications.

HACK
Much scientific work involves the use of creativity. Hacking is one direction in which many scientists and technicians channel their creativity. What is hacking? This page will answer that question, plus offer you much more.

IDENTIFY
Much scientific work involves the careful identification of organisms–both living and dead. This page will help you learn how to identify organisms through the use of tools such as field guides and dichotomous keys.

MEASURE
Much scientific work involves the careful measurement of measurable attributes. This page will help you learn how to measure things through the use of tools such as balances, rulers, probes, formulae, and graduated containers.

REFERENCEComing soon!
How to reference sources used in research, including electronic sources and even applications (aka. “Apps”).

TABULATE
Much scientific work involves the visual organization of data. Such visual displays, often called “tables,” feature prominently in most scientific research articles. This page will help you learn how to make tables that are commonly found in scientific publications.

USE EQUIPMENT
Much scientific work involves the use of equipment such as microscopes, bunsen burners, electronic balances, centrifuges, and probes. This page will help you learn how to use equipment commonly found in scientific laboratories and at field sites.

WRITE
Much of the day-to-day work routine of many research scientists involves hours and hours of writing. This page will help you learn how to produce texts such as…[July 2019: linked pages are currently undergoing revisions].

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