| Module Title: | Research Skills |
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| Language of Instruction: | English |
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| Teaching & Learning Strategies: |
Learners will undertake practical, class-based assignments (development of questionnaires, etc) in order to enhance learning. The programme gives the learners a thorough background in practical report and research writing that they will encounter in the work environment. Students will undertake a cross modular assignment, applying their learning on this module with their experience on the placement module in order to complete a real world agri-business research project. |
| Module Aim: |
To provide learners with the competence, knowledge and skills to plan, design, formulate and manage an agricultural research project. |
| Learning Outcomes |
| On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to: |
| LO1 |
Apply the means, competences, and techniques of the Research Process to an ethical standard to conduct an agri-business research project |
| LO2 |
Develop an applied scientific agricultural research proposal |
| LO3 |
Demonstrate a knowledge of data analysis and interpretation, and statistical testing using SPSS software |
| Pre-requisite learning |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
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| No recommendations listed |
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. |
| No incompatible modules listed |
Co-requisite Modules
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| No Co-requisite modules listed |
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. |
| No requirements listed |
Module Content & Assessment
| Indicative Content |
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Introduction to the Research Process
• The Research Process: The importance of research within the farming and agri- business context; Research terminology, Research industry, Ethics, Technology for agricultural improvement.
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Research Design
• Types of research design. Steps in the research design process. Potential errors, Research objectives
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Data Types, Secondary Data
• Purposes, sources of secondary data
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Experiments
• The concept of experiments. Types of experiments, Experimental validity. Types and tools.
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Qualitative Research
• Observation and other qualitative methods • Survey data collection methods and the Survey Instrument • Data collection modes, Factors determining same, Errors, Wording Of Questionnaires, Structuring, Sequencing, Error minimization.
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Measurement
• General concepts, Measurement scales, Attitude measurement, • Rating and ranking scales, Reliability and validity of measurements.
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Report Writing and Presentation
• How to write a research report, Format and content, Presentation of results and referencing.
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Data Collection and Descriptive Statistics
• Mean, mode, median.
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Probability
• Probability laws. Binomial, Poisson and Normal distributions.
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Statistical Interference Using Samples
• T-test, Chi-square testing. • Statistical determination of sample size. • Statistical significance and practical significance. • Confidence intervals
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Syllabus Content for Practical S.P.S.S. Component.
1. Introduction to SPSS and Analysis of variance / ANOVA 2. Using the data editor • Data coding and entry • Defining variables • Value labels • Missing values 3. Modifying and recoding data values Data analysis using a case study dataset Frequencies Descriptive statistics Explore and cross tab procedures Multiple response procedures Hypothesis testing
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Using the Output Editor
• Creating and modifying charts • Exporting tables and charts
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| Assessment Breakdown | % |
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| Project | 80.00% |
| Practical | 20.00% |
| Continuous Assessment |
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| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Project |
Theoretical research project |
1,2 |
40.00 |
n/a |
| Project |
Develop an applied research project |
1,2 |
40.00 |
n/a |
| Practical |
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| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Practical/Skills Evaluation |
Data Analysis, Interpretation and Statistical Analysis using SPSS Software |
1,2,3 |
20.00 |
n/a |
| No End of Module Formal Examination |
SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
| Workload: Full Time |
| Workload Type |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
12 Weeks per Stage |
1.50 |
| Lab/Lecture |
12 Weeks per Stage |
1.50 |
| Independent Learning Time |
12 Weeks per Stage |
3.00 |
| Total Hours |
72.00 |
Module Delivered In
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