Assignment 1 – Finding Scientific Literature through

the Ontario Tech University Library

Name: Areeba Azhar Student ID: 100908729

Remember: You must use your own words in completing this assignment.
When you submit your completed assignment to the Assignment 1 Submission Dropbox,
it will automatically be reviewed through Turnitin and similarities with other published work
and other student submissions will be identified. So, to avoid academic misconduct
penalties, be sure to submit your own work only.

Part 1: Using the Scientific Method: Making Observations, Generating Questions and
Proposing Hypotheses

1. Watch the video entitled “Hummingbird Facts and More about the Smallest Bird Species”;
there is a link provided in the instructions. From this video, make three observations about
hummingbirds; list three observations in the table below. (3 marks)

Observations (from video provided)

The length of beak (bill) of hummingbirds are generally longer than the beaks of other
1 birds, irrespective to the species of hummingbirds.

The consumption of nectar of hummingbirds is quite greater than their body mass. They
2
have a larger appetite than one would expect it to be considering their size.

Hummingbirds have a certain art of hovering over the flower/plant rather than perching.
3 Hummingbirds get attracted to blossomed flowers

2. Generate one question based on your observations. (2 marks)

Due to the fact that the beaks of hummingbirds are long, does it affect pollination?

3. Propose one hypothesis to answer your question. (2 marks)

As far as long beaks help in the consumption of nectar, pollen grains are also transported from
one flower to another in the process, making pollination more efficient.

Part 2: Search Strategy used for Finding Scientific Literature (9 marks)

4. Complete the following table giving your search strategy for finding scientific papers (follow
the instructions provided (e.g. search for papers published in the last 7 years).
In the table, provide the following information
(1) what search engine did you use (such as a Database (e.g. BioOne, Biosis, Nature Reviews,
ProQuest, Scholars Portal, Science Direct, Web of Science, etc.), Google Scholar, Omni Search, etc.)

(2) what search words did you use for each of three search attempts (it is your choice which
search words and the number of search words you decide to use)

(3) how many peer-reviewed articles were found for each search attempt.

Do three separate searches – you can try different search engines and/or you can try
different combinations of your chosen search words (your choice)

Number of
Search Search Engine
Search Words Used References
# Used
Found
Google Scholar “Hummingbirds” and “Pollination” 5
1

Google Scholar "Hummingbirds" and “Beaks” 1

2

Omni Search “Hummingbirds” and “Pollination*” and Ontario 2

3

Part 3: Reference List of Scientific Articles found through Literature Search (14 marks)

5. In the space on the next page, prepare a properly formatted Reference List by listing the 6
peer-reviewed research articles that you found through your library search (from Part 2).
(1) Include an appropriate title for the reference section of a lab report (check sample lab
reports provided in your textbook (Macmillan, 2021));
(2) Use the format outlined in the Council of Science Editors (CSE) Handbook for the CSE
Name-Year Referencing style. Refer to the link in the Instructions and your textbook to
find the proper formatting details.
Do not use APA or MLA or any other referencing style.

References
Bittner S. "Hummingbird Evolution". ASU - Ask A Biologist. May 20, 2014. [accessed 2023 Oct 06]

https://askabiologist.asu.edu/hummingbird-evolution

Bergamo PJ, Gonçalves-Esteves V, Nery da Fonseca LC, Rech AR, Sazima M. Heterospecific Pollen

Among Plants Sharing Hummingbird Pollinators in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. [Publishes: Apr-Jun 2016 ;

accessed on 2023, Oct 06]

https://www.scielo.br/j/rod/a/GBFCFdDXLpRWpZcj9y5Spsn/?lang=en#

Katarzyna Roguz K, Bajguz A, Chmur M, Gołębiewska A, Roguz, Zych M. Diversity of nectar amino acids in the

Fritillaria (Liliaceae) genus: ecological and evolutionary implications, scientific reports, 2019, Vol.9 (1),

p.15209, Article 15209 (2019) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-51170-4,

Caio C. C. Missagia, Maria Alice S. Alves. Does beak size predict the pollination performance of hummingbirds at

long and tubular flowers? A case study of a Neotropical spiral ginger. [First published: 2018, Feb 14]

Volume 305. Issue1, Pages 1-7

https://doi.org/10.1111/jzo.12539

Hořák D, Janeček S . A geographical perspective on the relationship between Impatiens spur lengths and

bill lengths of sunbirds in Afrotropical mountains [First published: 10 February

2021]. Volume11, Issue7. Pages 3120-3129

https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7258

Leimberger KG, Dalsgaard B, Tobias JA, Wolf C, Betts MG. The Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation of

Hummingbirds and their Interactions with Flowering Plants

[First published: 13 January 2022], Volume97, Issue3. Pages 923-959

https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12828