Introduction of the Course

This is a graduate level course in Department of Agronomy. The aim of the course is to introduce the about the research methodology and planning a research experiment in the field of agronomy. This course will introduce the method of collecting data and analyze the data and  develop a skill to presentation in tabulated or graphical form.  This course enhances the capability of students to write good scientific papers. The course emphasizes quality of writing and dissemination with a view to improve readability, maximize the contribution of the research done and improve the opportunities for publishing. It also concerns the quantity of scientific production by initially addressing the issue of increasing productivity through peer-guidance, best practice in scientific writing.

Objective: To provide guidelines for research methodology, designed used in agriculture experimentation,  develop and improve skills in scientific writing.

Theory

Concept of research, scientific method and experiment; Planning and execution of trials; Experimental designs and layout; Research trial observations; collection, processing and analysis of data; Measures of experimental variability; Interpretation and summarization of results; Types of scientific writing and developing a research proposal.

Practical

Writing of research proposal; Layout of field experiments; Collection, tabulation and analysis of data; Presentation of data in tables, curves, histograms, etc. Writing of scientific paper/report.

Outcomes

• To explain and apply scientific methodologies, methods, as well as techniques for scientific writing and research methodology to prepare the writing of a scientific report, as well as a degree project.
• To apply the knowledge in scientific writing and research methodology and use the knowledge to write a scientific report.
• To introduce the students about concept of scientific research.
• To familiarize students about various designs of laying out field and laboratory experiments as well as planning, organizing and conducting experiments.

Assesment Criteria

Quizzes and test:                                 02

Attendance:                                        02

Assignments and presentations:          04

Mid-term:                                            12

End term:                                            20

Practical:                                             20

Books Recommended:

1. Alan G.C. and D.H. Scarisbrick. 2001. Practical Statistics and Experimental Design for Plant and Crop Science. John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. Chichester, England.
2. Anonymous. 1988. Publications Handbook and Style Manual. ASA-CSSA-SSSA, Madison.
3. Khalil, S K. and P. Shah. 2007. Scientific Writing and Presentation. HEC, Manaograph, Islamabad.
4. Martha, D. 2005. Scientific Papers and Presentations. Academic Press, San Deigo, California, USA.
5. Mead, R. 2003. Statistical Methods in Agricultural & Experimental Biology. 3rd Ed. Pak Book Corp. Lahore 
6. Youdeowei, A., P. Stapleton, and R. Obubo. (eds.). 2012. Scientific Writing for Agricultural Research Scientists-A Training Resource Manual, Wageningen, The Netherlands

7. Week	Topics and Readings	Book with Page No.
   1	Introduction of the course.	From scheme of study for B.S Agriculture degree approved by HEC.
   	Dictation & discussion about the course contents of theory.
   2	Concept of research	Field Plot Technique Pages 1-7
   	Introduction, definition and importance	Field Plot Technique Pages 1-7
   3	Scientific method and experiment.	Principles and Procedures of Statistics Pages 8-16.
   	Characteristics of a well-planned experiment	Principles and Procedures of Statistics; Pages 31-38
   4	Steps in experimentation	Agricultural Experimentation, Design and Analysis Pages 7-10
   	Principles of experimental design	Principles and Procedures of Statistics; 88-89
   5	Planning and execution of trials.	Research Planning and Data Handling Pages 1-4
   	Sources of variation in field experiments	Research Planning and Data Handling; Page 5
   6	Experimental designs and Layout: Types and classification of experiments	Research Planning and Data Handling; Pages 1-6
   	Planning and layout of the experiments	Research Planning and Data Handling Pages 6-7
   7	Conducting field experiments	Research Planning and Data Handling Pages 8-10
   	Observing and collecting data	Research Planning and Data Handling Pages 11-12
   8	Research trial observations	Research Planning and Data Handling Page 12
   	Analyzing and interpreting data	Research Planning and Data Handling Page 13
   9
   10	Completely randomized design, layout and randomization	Principles and Procedures of Statistics Pages 99-128
   	Randomized complete block design, layout, randomization and ANOVA	Principles and Procedures of Statistics Pages 132-145
   11	Latin square design, layout, randomization and ANOVA	Field Plot Technique Pages 235-260
   	Factorial experiments	Field Plot Technique Pages 161-170
   12	CRD in factorial arrangement	Field Plot Technique Pages 161-184
   	RCBD in factorial arrangement	Field Plot Technique Pages 161-184
   13	Split plot design, split split plot	Agricultural Experimentation, Design and Analysis Pages 90-113
   	Split block design	Agricultural Experimentation, Design and Analysis Pages 118-124
   14	Discussion with relevant examples	-
   	Summarizing results and report writing	Research Planning and Data Handling; Pages 14
   15	Publishing results and technology transfer	Research Planning and Data Handling; Pages 15-16
   	Measures of experimental variability	-
   16	Types of scientific writing and developing a research proposal.	Class Discussion
   	How to write a research article?	Guidelines for writing a research paper for publication Pages http://www.liebertpub.com /media/pdf/English-Research-Article-Writin
   17	Student Presentations
   	Student Presentations
   18	Final Exam

Time Table

Tuesday 10:30

Thursday 11:20

Friday 9:40

KEY DATES

Mid test : March 9-13, 2020

Final Examination:  May 4-8, 2020

Result Declaration May 19, 2020