BIMEF2-Research Planning

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: BIMPROJ Wildlife Management Project
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: g.j.holloway@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module aims to prepare students for their summer project by encouraging them to consider the experimental design that they will deploy during the project, the type of analysis they will carry out on the data generated and the original source literature available relevant to the study

Aims:

This module aims to prepare students for their summer project by encouraging them to consider the experimental design that they will deploy during the project, the type of analysis they will carry out on the data generated and the original source literature available relevant to the study

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• place the topic of their project in the context of available original source literature

• deploy a design to generate a data set suitable for testing the null hypothesis

• be familiar with the analytical procedure(s) required to carry out the statistical tests 

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Additional outcomes:

The module will hone the student’s literature searching skills

Outline content:

The work will consist of guided self-study.  

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The student will work with the supervisor of their chosen project. Students will be required to search for and compile original source literature pertinent to their project topic. The material found will be integrated into a literature review.

The student will be required to erect one or more null hypotheses associated with their project. They will then be asked to produce an experimental design suitable to test these hypotheses. As part of the process students will be required to generate a dummy data set that might be expected from this design. Students will then be required to explore the various ways in which these data could be analysed to familiarize themselves with the statistical tests and software packages that will be used during their project.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework: Students will be required to submit a review of the literature associated with their project. They will also be required to draw up null hypotheses relevant to the proposed study, generate a dummy data set that could be produced by the design and to carry out statistical tests of the data using appropriate software packages.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of at least 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment in May

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 10 April 2019