Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the course number for this course?
What is the course number for this course?
BIOL 305
What is the name of the instructor?
What is the name of the instructor?
Dr. George O. Odhiambo
What is the name of the institution where this course is taught?
What is the name of the institution where this course is taught?
University of the Bahamas
What is the main goal of this course?
What is the main goal of this course?
What is the expected outcome of this course?
What is the expected outcome of this course?
Which of the following is NOT an objective of this course?
Which of the following is NOT an objective of this course?
Which of these topics is NOT covered in the course content?
Which of these topics is NOT covered in the course content?
What is the weight percentage for the 'Research Proposal' component of the course?
What is the weight percentage for the 'Research Proposal' component of the course?
What is the weight percentage for the 'Presentations' component of the course?
What is the weight percentage for the 'Presentations' component of the course?
Which text is used for this course?
Which text is used for this course?
Which reading is specifically geared towards graduate-level students in behavioral sciences and biology?
Which reading is specifically geared towards graduate-level students in behavioral sciences and biology?
The course emphasizes the importance of gathering data and establishing facts, but not necessarily reaching new conclusions.
The course emphasizes the importance of gathering data and establishing facts, but not necessarily reaching new conclusions.
Which of the following is NOT a component of a research proposal?
Which of the following is NOT a component of a research proposal?
What are the two main phases of the research process according to the example in the slides?
What are the two main phases of the research process according to the example in the slides?
The research proposal helps examine what the researcher intends to do and serves as a document of contract for the project.
The research proposal helps examine what the researcher intends to do and serves as a document of contract for the project.
What does the research proposal provide an overview of?
What does the research proposal provide an overview of?
Flashcards
Research
Research
Systematic investigation to establish facts and reach conclusions.
Research Proposal
Research Proposal
Detailed description of a research program/project.
Literature Review
Literature Review
Comprehensive review of existing research related to a topic.
Research Question
Research Question
Specific question a research project aims to answer.
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Hypothesis
Hypothesis
Testable statement about the relationship between variables.
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Data Analysis
Data Analysis
Process of examining and interpreting collected data.
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Research Ethics
Research Ethics
Moral principles and guidelines for research conduct.
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Research Design
Research Design
Structure of the research project, including methods and procedures.
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Data Collection
Data Collection
Process of gathering information for research.
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Scientific Report
Scientific Report
Documentation of research findings, usually written or presented formally.
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Grant Proposal
Grant Proposal
A request for funding for a research project.
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Presentation Techniques
Presentation Techniques
Methods to effectively communicate research findings.
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Proposal Structure
Proposal Structure
Typical layout of a research proposal, with distinct sections.
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Abstract
Abstract
Summary of the research project, concisely explaining the topic, aims, and expected outcome.
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Introduction
Introduction
Background information about the research, stating the research questions, objectives and justifications.
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Related Work
Related Work
Review of existing research related to the chosen topic.
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Methods
Methods
Detailed description of the research's methodology, including data collection and analysis techniques.
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Schedule
Schedule
Timeline for completing the research project.
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Budget
Budget
Financial plan for the research project.
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References
References
List of sources cited in the research project.
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Appendices
Appendices
Supplementary materials related to the research project.
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Participation
Participation
Active involvement in learning and class activities.
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Presentations
Presentations
Oral communication of research findings.
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Assignments
Assignments
Evaluative tasks supplementing the core course content.
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Research Proposal (Assessment)
Research Proposal (Assessment)
Final assessment of the proposal, grading the overall quality of the plan, research, and communication of the proposal.
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Course Information
- Course title: BIOL 305: RESEARCH METHODS FOR THE LIFE SCIENCES
- Instructor: Dr. George O. Odhiambo
- Department: School of Chemistry, Environmental & Life Sciences
- University: University of the Bahamas
Course Description
- Introduces concepts and principles of life sciences research.
- Students will develop a research proposal based on laboratory or field research, case studies, or literature review.
Specific Objectives
- Students will compile a comprehensive literature review supporting research questions or hypotheses.
- Students will critique scientific research papers.
- Students will analyze data using appropriate statistical tests.
- Students will prepare scientific reports for oral and/or written presentations.
- Students will prepare a research proposal (and possibly a grant proposal).
Course Content
- Nature and purpose of research
- Ethics in biological research
- Review of current and relevant literature (student-specific)
- Research design and data collection
- Data analysis
- Research proposal
- Grant proposal
- Presentation techniques
Assessment
- Participation: 10%
- Presentations: 10%
- Assignments: 40%
- Research Proposal: 40%
- Total: 100%
Required Text
- Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2005). Practical research: Planning and design. (8th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Supplementary Readings
- Bluman, A. G. (2001). Elementary statistics: A step-by-step approach. (4th ed.). McGraw Hill Higher Education.
- Hailman, J., & Strier, K. B. (1997). Planning, proposing, and presenting science effectively: A guide for graduate students and researchers in the behavioral sciences and biology. New York: Cambridge University Press.
- Hartmann, D. J. (1990). Undergraduate research experience as preparation for graduate school, American Sociologist, 21:179
- Kumar, R. (1999). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. New York: Sage Publications Inc.
- McMillan, V. E. (2001). Writing papers in the biological sciences. (3rd ed.). New York. Bedford/St Martins
- Rao, P. V. (1998). Statistical research methods in life sciences. New York: Duxbury Press. Brooks/Cole Publishing Company. (1998)
What is Research?
- Systematic investigation and study of materials and sources.
- Establishing facts (new insights) and reaching new conclusions.
Proposal Structure
- Title page
- Abstract
- Introduction (background, justification, objectives)
- Related work/literature review
- Methods (methodology)
- Schedule/budget
- References
- Appendices
Research Proposal
- Detailed description of the proposed research program/project.
- Serves as a contract for the project.
- Provides an overview of the research for others.
- Shows the scope, significance, methodology and research method selected.
Research Process (Example)
- Identify a broad area of study
- Select a research topic
- Decide on an approach
- Formulate a plan
- Collect data/information
- Analyze and interpret data
- Present findings
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