Surgery Marking Guide

Assignment #1: Introduction and Methods Worth 15% of final mark

Maximum = 1850 words, excluding references, but could/should be shorter.
Follow Journal of Neuroscience formatting, which can be found at the journal website
(Abstract is not necessary)
Introduction:
7% final mark 47/100
Clear presentation of rationale for lesion experiment, including background on known
effects of unilateral 6-OHDA lesions on drug-induced turning behaviour and sensorimotor
functions, cited from the literature.
Methods:
7% of final mark 47/100
Clear description of methods, including verification of lesion site, such that the lab
could be reproduced. Do not simply copy from the handouts. You do NOT need to have two
completely separate methods for non-recovery and recovery. Give complete methods for one,
and then list how the other differed (E.g., nonrecovery was same as recovery except )
Style and referencing: 1% final mark (6/100)
Includes grammar, spelling, typographical errors, and referencing style (consistent
and conforming to Journal of Neuroscience format).
Assignment #2: Results and Methods Worth 20% of final mark
Maximum = 1850 words, excluding references
Results:
9% (45/100)
Imaginative display of results that clearly demonstrate points on which discussion is
based. Journals restrict the number of figures, so the more information you can give in the
fewest figures the better. Do the Figures portray data that easily (i.e., without undue cognitive
strain for your readers) supports your discussion?
Discussion: 10% (50/100)
Reasonable arguments based on results that could explain the observed pattern given
current knowledge of lesion effects and recovery processes. Evidence of outside reading that
adds to the level of the discussion will be rewarded. Clear discussion of the clinically
significant* results, how they add or detract from the overall argument should be included.
That is, estimates of dopamine depletion should not only cite the literature that shows the
empirical results, but also puts them in the context of known neural/pharmacological
mechanisms.
Style:
1% (5/100)
Includes grammar, spelling, typographical errors, and referencing style (consistent and
conforming to Journal of Neuroscience format). Dont forget page numbers.
*

significant does NOT mean statistical significance.