FS 521
Natural Resources Research Planning
Winter
Quarter, 2013
2 credits
Oregon State University
| Course
Instructor Dr. Glenn Howe 334 Richardson Hall Oregon State University (541) 737-9001 |
Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00-9:50 p.m. from
January 8 to March 14.
Location: Peavy 104
Course Overview
This course provides graduate students with the fundamental research skills needed to successfully complete their graduate degree program and begin their professional career. In this course, you will learn how to plan, write, and critique scientific research proposals. Instruction will focus on direct, hands-on learning by writing a research proposal that could serve as your graduate thesis proposal. You will learn to pose relevant, interesting, and tractable researchable questions; design testable hypotheses; develop research goals and objectives; and apply critical thinking skills to design appropriate research methods. Students will benefit from having taken FS 520, although this is not a prerequisite for enrolling in FS 521.Course outcomes: Students will be able to:
- Describe the key elements of the scientific method and a good researchable question
- Describe the key elements of a scientifically rigorous research proposal
- Recognize high-quality research proposals and provide constructive feedback on the research proposals of colleagues
- Plan and write coherent and scientifically rigorous research proposals
- Describe the process of publication submission and peer review
- Describe the process of proposal submission and peer review
- Critically evaluate experimental designs and other research methods
- Describe the key elements of effective scientific publications, oral presentations, and posters
- Discuss scientific ethics and their role in the scientific process
Assignments: Each student will:
- Write a research proposal
- Read and discuss research proposals and other assigned readings
- Grade the class participation of classmates
- Critique the research proposals of classmates.
Contact with any questions relating to the 2013 class.