ASSIGNMENT: FUTURING ANALYSIS IN THE LIFE SCIENCES (115 points/10%)

Addresses Course Outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4:

• Interpret and critically analyze primary scientific literature to assess the validity and reliability of

scientific results and evaluate the conclusions drawn from these data

• Demonstrate proficiency in scientific principles, techniques, and applications in the life sciences to

evaluate experimental design and determine compliance with standards of protocol and ethical

practice

• Effectively communicate scientific principles, concepts, methods, and research findings based on

critical analysis of primary literature, industry reports, and other life sciences resources

• Pose vital and relevant scientific questions to identify problems, challenges, and opportunities for

the development of innovative products and services in the life sciences

To remain relevant within the life sciences, you must be a visionary. Whether you are motivated by

discovery research, finding cures, furthering biotechnology, introducing new medicines, or some other

aspect of the life sciences, you will want to assess whether your ideas and plans have a place both now and

in the future. The basis for the observations (the first step in the scientific method) that lead to the innovation

is often gleaned from primary scientific literature. In this assignment, you will develop and exercise your

visionary skills, first by tracing the scientific method through an assigned primary scientific article.

You will then apply two futuring techniques to the innovation – the development of a new research

technique, project, product, or service – you propose based on the primary scientific article.

Pre-Futuring Analysis

1. Read primary article A.

2. Read the supplemental material provided for Futuring Analyses.

Scenario

As the CEO of your company, you have just read primary article A. Now you are tasked with determining

the future direction of your company by exploring possible innovations based on some aspect of the article.

After reading the resources for futuring analysis, please follow the guidelines for completing the futuring

analysis based on your innovative idea in the life sciences. The Futuring Analysis must include all criteria

as specified below. Deviations or missing elements will result in point deductions.

The Futuring Analysis

I. Futuring Analysis Format (8 points)

A. Paper title page – name, instructor, title, due date (2)

B. Sections of paper labeled properly – see A-D below (1)

C. Type double-spaced, 11-point, Times New Roman font paper with 1-inch margins (2)

D. 3-4 pages (not including title page and reference page) (3)

II. Futuring Analysis Content (70 points)

A. Introduction of the company – (you will use this company for the remaining

assignments) (8)

1. Share the type of company you head as CEO (manufacturing, medical, agricultural,

environmental, pharmaceutical, etc.) (2)

2. Share the name of your company, its location, and its employee base (3)

3. Share your company’s motto or mantra (3)

B. Introduction of the innovation (22 points)

1. Trace the scientific method (12) – briefly identify the observations, question, hypothesis,

experiment, results, and conclusion of primary article A

2. Eureka! moment (5) – In 3-4 sentences, describe an aspect of primary article A

(introduction, materials, methods, results, discussion, or conclusion) that stood out to you

which you believe could lead to an innovative technique, project, product, or service in the

life sciences for your company. In other words, what piqued your interest?

3. Innovation (5) – Based on the Eureka! moment you have described, fully explain the

innovative technique, service, product, or research you have conceived. The innovation

must be a technique, project, product, or service that you conceived on your own –

not one already presented in primary article A.

C. Futuring techniques described (15 points)

1. Provide a general overview of futuring analysis (5)

2. Choose two futuring analysis techniques best suited for your innovative idea

a. Describe how each chosen futuring analysis technique is performed (5)

b. Explain the significance of each chosen futuring analysis in determining the

future of products and services in the life sciences. (5)

D. Futuring techniques applied (20 points)

1. Research the application of each futuring technique to your innovation

2. Present the results from applying each of your two chosen futuring analysis techniques

to your innovative idea in the chart below (10 each)

3. Results must be presented in the table format below:

Futuring Technique 1

(Insert name of technique)

Futuring Technique 2

(Insert name of technique)

Futuring

Technique

Results

(3-5 results

for each)

• Result of futuring 1

• Result of futuring 1

• Result of futuring 1

• Result of futuring 1

• Result of futuring 1

• Result of futuring 2

• Result of futuring 2

• Result of futuring 2

• Result of futuring 2

• Result of futuring 2

E. Conclusion (5 points) – Based on the results of both futuring techniques, explain in detail

whether you think your potential innovation is a worthy investment of time and resources.

III. Paper References (20 points) No references = zero for this assignment

A. Use at least 5 credible references (10) DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA

B. In-text references in APA format (5) (All references should be cited throughout the paper)

C. End references in APA-format (5)

IV. Paper Grammar (5 points)

Correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, sentence construction, and paragraph construction will be

considered in the grading of this assignment.

V. Paper Submission (13 points) Submit Word documents ONLY – PDF files will not be graded

A. Save your Word file as: First and Last name – Futuring (e.g., Sharon Brown – Futuring) (3)

B. Turnitin score (10)

FUTURING ANALYSIS RESOURCES

Innovation in 5 Minutes

Short Practical Steps to Developing an Innovator’s DNA (Slide Presentation):

What is Creativity and Innovation?

Use the resources listed below to help you choose a specific area of interest for the opportunities

section of the assignment:

Career Trends

http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/healthcare-science/careers-in-healthcarescience/careers-in-life-sciences/

http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-who-you-are/undergraduates-and-recentgraduates/

http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/articles/10.1038/nj7393-277a

Service Trends

http://www.lifesciencepatents.nl/en/

http://lifesciencesadvisory.com/services

http://www.indeed.com/q-Technology-Transfer-jobs.html

http://www.federallabs.org/employment/

Technology Trends

www.bio.org

http://www.biotech-now.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptqPJGTsIoM Future Technologies That Will

Change the World

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/life-science-chemical-biotechinstrumentation-market-38.html

http://aami-bit.org/loi/bmit OR https://www.mhealthevidence.org/journaltitle/biomedical-instrumentation-technology-association-advancement-medicalinstrumentation

http://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/journal/Biomedical_instrumentation

technology

http://www.biotechmedia.com/y2001-ed-bit.htm

Another resource to use on the different futuring analysis techniques:

file:///C:/Users/aicha/Downloads/FUTURING%20IN%20THE%20LIFE%20SCIENCES.pdf