APMA110-Research Methods: Agriculture, Ecology and Environment

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Robbie Girling
Email: r.girling@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Develop the knowledge and skills needed to design and conduct an independent Masters level research project in agriculture, ecology and the environment. Learn about experimental design and statistics, field study techniques and the use of R for data manipulation and analysis. Visit a variety of key research organisations in the sector on a one-week field trip, during which you will explore the different types of research methods used to conduct research in agriculture, ecology and the environment.

Aims:
This module aims to develop students£ knowledge and skills in employing research methods in agriculture, ecology and the environment.

Assessable learning outcomes:
At the end of this module students will be able to:
£ Identify a question, form an appropriate testable hypothesis and design a suitable experiment incorporating relevant research methods and statistical analyses.
£ Evaluate, select and apply appropriate field studies techniques to answer questions in agricultural, ecological and environmental research
£ Select and apply relevant quantitative statistical techniques to address questions in agricultural, ecological and environmen tal research.
£ Use the R statistical package to manipulate and investigate a data set.
£ Appraise and contrast different approaches to research in agriculture, ecology and the environment.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:
The module will consist of four independent units that each contribute five credits:
1. Experimental design and statistics (five weeks, running from the start of the autumn term until enhancement week). The lecture and seminar based unit will provide fundamentals in experimental design and the key quantitative statistical concepts and tests required for research in agricultural, ecological and environmental studies. The unit will be assessed by an in class multiple choice and short answer test and a short assignment.
2. Field studies techniques (five weeks, running from the start of the autumn term until enhancement week). This practical-class based unit will provide a grounding in some of the key field studies techniques required for research in agricultural, ecological and environmental studies to include:
- Plant identification
- Insect identification
- Key techniques in field crops research
- Citizen science research techniques
- Geographic information systems
The unit will be assessed by means of a laboratory notebook.
3. Field course (one week during enhancement week). This one week residential field course based in East Anglia will provide an introduction to different industry bodies who conduct research in agricultural, ecological and environmental sciences. Students will spend a week visiting different research organisations across East Anglia including crops research stations, wildlife reserves and experimental f arms. The unit will be assessed by a reflective photo log of the week, in which students will be asked to reflect on what they have observed and to think about the wider implications both in terms of the course and also research across the sector.
4. Using R for data manipulation and analysis (five weeks following enhancement week). The statistics package R is a critical tool for researchers working in ecological and environmental sciences. This computer-lab based unit will provide a basic grounding in the use of R by introducing fundamental concepts in R, such as: programming, reading in data, accessing packages and writing functions. Building on the ideas and statistical methods from the Experimental Design and Statistics unit, this unit will explore using R for statistical analysis. The unit will be assessed by an in-class multiple choice and short answer test and a short answer assignment.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module includes a series of lectures, field based practical classes at the university£s Sonning Farm, a field course and computer lab classes.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Practicals classes and workshops	20
Fieldwork	30
Guided independent study:	140
Total hours by term	200
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	25
Project output other than dissertation	25
Set exercise	25
Class test administered by School	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Lab notebook 25%

In-class tests 25%

Reflective photo diary 25%

Short assignments 25%

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/files/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmissionPGflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 50 overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-submission of coursework and re-sitting of in-class tests.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 July 2021