The Design of Experiments in Neuroscience

A student guide to neuroscience research including how to select a topic, analyze data, and present research.

Mary E. Harrington (Author)

9781108492621, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 6 February 2020

300 pages, 31 b/w illus. 86 colour illus.
25.3 x 19.4 x 1.3 cm, 0.6 kg

'Mary E. Harrington's book is a go-to resource for all budding neuroscientists. With an engagingly conversational style, the author demystifies the scientific method, explores thorny questions in research ethics, and provides practical advice on experimental design, data analysis, and communicating results. I highly recommend this book for both formal and informal instruction.' Cheryl Sisk, University Distinguished Professor, Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University

Using engaging prose, Mary E. Harrington introduces neuroscience students to the principles of scientific research including selecting a topic, designing an experiment, analyzing data, and presenting research. This new third edition updates and clarifies the book's wealth of examples while maintaining the clear and effective practical advice of the previous editions. New and expanded topics in this edition include techniques such as optogenetics and conditional transgenes as well as a discussion of rigor and reproducibility in neuroscience research. Extended coverage of descriptive and inferential statistics arms readers with the analytical tools needed to interpret data. Throughout, practical guidelines are provided on avoiding experimental design problems, presenting research including creating posters and giving talks, and using a '12-step guide' to reading scientific journal articles.

1. The varieties of scientific experience
2. Research ethics
3. Getting started
4. Observational research designs
5. Describing your results
6. The experiment
7. Refining experimental tools and questions
8. Statistical approaches
9 Complex designs
10. Communicating your results.

Subject Areas: Neurosciences [PSAN], Research methods: general [GPS]