Research Methodology and Scientific Communication Skills (Theory)

Paper Code: 
24DMBL705
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
04
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to develop in-depth understanding of the numerous methodologies and approaches utilized in scientific research, prepare for conducting research, build their scientific communication skills, and evaluate scientific ethics.

14.00
Unit I: 
History of science and science methodologies

Empirical science; scientific method; manipulative experiments and controls; deductive and inductive reasoning; descriptive science; reductionist vs holistic biology

10.00
Unit II: 
Preparation for research

Choosing a mentor, lab and research question; maintaining a lab notebook.

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Process of communication I

Concept of effective communication- setting clear goals for communication; determining outcomes and results; initiating communication; avoiding breakdowns while communicating; creating value in conversation; barriers to effective communication; non-verbal communication-interpreting non-verbal cues; importance of body language, power of effective listening; recognizing cultural differences.

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
Process of communication II

Presentation skills - formal presentation skills; preparing and presenting using over-head projector, PowerPoint; defending interrogation; scientific poster preparation & presentation; participating in group discussions; Computing skills for scientific research - web browsing for information search; search engines and their mechanism of searching; hidden Web and its importance in scientific research; internet as a medium of interaction between scientists; effective email strategy using the right tone and conciseness.

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Scientific communication

Technical writing skills - types of reports; layout of a formal report; scientific writing skills - importance of communicating science; problems while writing a scientific document; plagiarism, software for plagiarism; scientific publication writing: elements of a scientific paper including abstract, introduction, materials & methods, results, discussion, references; drafting titles and framing abstracts; publishing scientific papers - peer review process and problems, recent developments such as open access and nonblind review; plagiarism; characteristics of effective technical communication; scientific presentations; ethical issues; scientific misconduct.

ESSENTIAL READINGS: 
  • Valiela, I. (2001). Doing Science: Design, Analysis, and Communication of         Scientific Research. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • On Being a Scientist: a Guide to Responsible Conduct in Research. (2009).     Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.
  • Gopen, G. D., & Smith, J. A. The Science of Scientific Writing. American Scientist, 78 (Nov-Dec 1990), 550-558.
  • Mohan, K., & Singh, N. P. (2010). Speaking English Effectively. Delhi: Macmillan India. 5.
REFERENCES: 

 SUGGESTED READINGS:

  • Research & Publication Ethics: A Complete Guide to Conducting & Publishing Research  Ethically The Enago Academy Team Website: https://www.enago.com/academy/
  • Manual for Research and Publication Ethics in Science and Engineering / Eun Seong Hwang, Eun Hee Cho, Young-Mog Kim, Kibeom Park, Wha-Chul Son, Tae-Woong Yoon, Jeong Mook Lim [Authors]. -- Seoul: Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies, 2016s
  • Science Communication: A Practical Guide for Scientists (2012)   Laura Bowater, Kay Yeoman, Wiley-Blackwell
  • National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering (US) and Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy. On Being a Scientist: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in Research: Third Edition. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2009.Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK214564/

e RESOURCES:

JOURNALS:

  • Journal of Science Communication
  • Science and Engineering Ethics
  • Ethics & Human Research

 

Academic Year: 
2024-2025
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