Scientific Research Skills: From Fieldwork to Reporting

Overview

This course is designed to arm students with the skills required to plan, execute, analyse and report on scientific studies. Students will be taught about key aspects and considerations of experimental/study design and will carry out fieldwork to collect data. They will analyse samples in the laboratory and be taught about how to manage and analyse data (e.g. using Excel, GIS, and R). Students will present the results of their studies in different formats, relevant to academic research outputs e.g. reports, oral presentations, posters. This module provides invaluable skills for students entering a placement, particularly those interested in fieldwork, and for carrying out a research project in the final year of their degree programme.

Learning Objectives

Students should:
1. Be able to design robust studies to address scientific questions including risk assessment and
ethics
2. Be able to design studies that minimise their environmental impact/disturbance to habitats
3. Become familiar with different field sampling techniques and be able to use appropriate
equipment to answer scientific questions
4. Be able to process samples using appropriate laboratory techniques
5. Design and manage datasets including data analysis and visualisation of results
6. Be able to communicate results effectively using appropriate media e.g. written reports, oral
presentations, posters

Skills

Experimental design; field skills; laboratory skills; ArcGIS; Microsoft Excel; R/RStudio; group work; oral presentation skills; report writing; poster design.

Assessment

Students must obtain an overall weighted average mark of 40 to pass the Module