Introduction

Research methodology and Report writing is a hands‐on course designed to impart education in the foundational methods and techniques of academic research in the field of Zoology. Research scholars would examine and be practically exposed to the main components of a research framework i.e., problem definition, research design, data collection, report writing, and presentation. Once equipped with this knowledge, students would be well‐placed to conduct disciplined research under supervision. In addition to their application in an academic setting, many of the methodologies discussed in this course would be similar to those deployed in professional research environments.

The course aims to:

• To develop an understanding of various research designs and techniques
• To identify various sources of information for literature review and data collection
• Emphasize the importance of ethics in scientific research
• Enable students to write a research proposal, research article and review article

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course you are expected to:

• Develop understanding on various kinds of research, objectives of doing research, research process, research designs and sampling.
• Demonstrate knowledge of research processes (reading, evaluating, and developing).
• Perform literature reviews using print and online databases
• Identify, explain, compare, and prepare the key elements of a research proposal/report
• Understand concepts of research and its methodologies
• Select and define appropriate research problem and parameters
• Prepare a proposal
• Organize and conduct research in a more appropriate manner
• Write a research report and thesis

Course Contents:

Computer Science: Introduction to computers and their application in Biology: Operating System (WINDOWS, WORDS, EXCEL, POWERPOINT) COMPUTER NETWORKS AND WORLD WIDE WEB-Internet-Email. Biological Databases – Database Management system- Information retrieval-use of computer for statistical analysis.

Report/Thesis Writing: Idenntification, selection and scope of research problems-methods of literature collection and review-planning and execution of investigation- Thesis writing- preparation and presentation of research papers for journals, conferences- preparation of short communications and review articles.

Research methodology: Meaning of research, objectives of research, types of research, significance of research. Research Design: Meaning, need and features of good research design, types of research designs, Basic principles of Experimental designs. Designs of experiments. Sampling Designs: Census and sample surveys. Different types of sample designs, characteristics of good sample design. Techniques of selecting a random sample. Data collection: Primary and secondary data. Methods of collecting primary and secondary data. Hypothesis: Defination, testing of hypothesis, procedures of hypothesis testing, flow diagram for hypothesis testing. Parametric and non-parametric tests for testing of hypothesis, Limitations of tests of hypothesis.

Biostatistics:  Correlation Coefficient; simple linear regression, student ‘T’ test; chi-square test, ‘F’ test; ANOVA-one way; two way and multi way

Readings:

1. Anderson, D., Polle (1970) (Doctoral dissertation, Thesis and Assignment Writing. Wiley Eastern Limited).
2. Reverjdege B. 1979: The art of Scientific Investigation W.E. Norton and Co., New Yor
3. Fisher R. A. 1950: Statistical methods of research workers.
4. Freund J E. 1967: Modern elementary statistics. Prentice Hall, Inc. Englewood cliffs, N J.
5. Melter K, 1972: Statistical analysis in Biology, Chapman Hall, London.
6. Champbhej RC, 1975: Statistics for Biologist 2nd Ed. Cambridge University Press, London.
7. Freund, JE Livermore P.E and Irwin M. 1960: Manual of experimental statistics. Prentince Hall Inc. Englewood. Cliff. N. J

     Course  Schedule:

Week 1: Introduction to computers and their application in Biology

Week 2: Operating System, computer networks and worldwide web internet-Email. Biological Databases

Week 3: Database Management system

Week 4: Information retrieval-use of computer for statistical analysis

Week5: Identification, selection and scope of research problems

Week 6: Methods of literature collection and review-planning and execution of investigation

Week 7: Preparation and presentation of research papers for journals, conferences- preparation of short communications and review articles

Week 8: Thesis writing- preparation

Week 9: Mid-term Exame Meaning of research, objectives of research, types of research, significance of research

Week 10: Research Design: Meaning, need and features of good research design, types of research designs, Basic principles of Experimental designs

Week 11: Designs of experiments. Sampling Designs: Census and sample surveys.

Week 12: Different types of sample designs, characteristics of good sample design. Techniques of selecting a random sample

Week 13: Data collection: Primary and secondary data. Methods of collecting primary and secondary data

Week 14: Hypothesis: Definition, testing of hypothesis, procedures of hypothesis testing, flow diagram for hypothesis testing

Week 15: Parametric and non-parametric tests for testing of hypothesis, Limitations of tests of hypothesis

Week16: Correlation Coefficient; simple linear regression, student ‘T’ test; chi-square test, ‘F’ test; ANOVA-one way; two way and multi way

Week 17: Final exame

Research Projects/Assignments:

Assignments on:

1. Information retrieval-use of computer
2. Methods of literature collection
3. Report and thesis writing
4. Writing a review article

Class Schedule:  Theory:      Thursday:       10:00-11:00 AM

                                                 Friday:             10:00-11:00 AM

                                                 Friday:              11.00-12:00 AM

Assesment criteria:

• Sessional: 20%

• Presentation: 10%
• Participation: 10%

• Final exam: 50%
• Term paper: 30 %