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Research Methods in Animal Husbandry

Course developer

Prior knowledge

BiolB005, Biometry

Replaced course

LauZ3194 [GLAU3202] Research Methods in Animal Husbandry

Course abstract

During the study course, students learn about livestock research directions and the basic principles of research planning, evaluate the most suitable data processing methods for research and learn to professionally evaluate the obtained research results. Learns the principles of literature acquisition and analysis, the requirements for the design of course and final theses. Get acquainted with research schemes, planning of necessary resources, observations and records.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students acquire knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts used in animal husbandry research, research planning and implementation, data processing and interpretation of results, research paper design (completed practical work, successfully passed tests and exam).
The skill is acquired to clearly formulate, critically evaluate and harmonize the questions of the research work, define the purpose and tasks of the work, choose appropriate data processing methods for a specific study, analyse the results of the study and formulate appropriate conclusions (completed practical work, successfully passed control papers and exam).
Competently carry out the development of a study course or final thesis, analyse the results obtained in the study, compare them with the results of other studies.
Learned study course lecture material, completed practical tasks, successfully passed tests. Successfully passed the exam.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Concept of science, classification of sciences, description of the situation in animal sciences in Latvia. (1 h, L)
2. General research methods. Types and categories of research. (1 h, L)
3. Specific research methods in animal husbandry. (2 h, L, 1 h P)
4. Animal husbandry trials under production conditions. Livestock demonstrations. (2 h, L; 3 h, P)
Test: Basic concepts and methods of research, description of the situation in animal sciences in Latvia.
5. Types of scientific literature, their search, selection and analysis. (2 h, L; 4 h, P)
6. Concept of research topic: hypothesis, work purpose and tasks. (1 h, L; 2 h, P)
7. Research planning in animal husbandry. (2 h, L; 2 h, P)
8. Setting up research in animal husbandry, implementation progress and research resources.
(2 h, L; 2 h, P)
Test: Scientific literature studies. Research concepts. Research planning and arrangement.
9. Structure of scientific and final work. (2 h, L; 2 h, P)
10. Research documentation, its design and storage. (1 h, L; 2 h, P)
11. Initial processing of research data and data interpretation. 21 h, L; 4 h, P)
12. Presentation of research results. (4 h, P)
Exam
Part-time extramural studies:
All the topics intended for full-time studies are covered, yet the number of contact hours is ½ of the specified number of hours.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Completed and defended practical works on the given topic, learned study course lecture material, successfully passed tests. Successfully passed the exam.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The organization of independent work during the semester takes place by studying literature using the advice of the teaching staff.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The assessment of the study course exam depends on the exam assessment and the cumulative assessment of the study course tests.
A student can get a successful mark on the exam if at least 50% of the test questions are answered correctly and 3 tests have been successfully completed. The exam grade is calculated as the arithmetic mean of two, the exam grade and the average grade for the tests.

Compulsory reading

1. Datu statistiskā apstrāde ar MS Excel: mācību līdzeklis studentiem. Sast. I. Arhipova, L. Ramute, L. Paura. Jelgava: LLU, 1999. 159 lpp.
2. Kārkliņš A., Kreišmane Dz. Studiju darbu izpilde un noformējums: metodiskie norādījumi Lauksaimniecības fakultātes studentiem. [tiešsaiste] Jelgava: LLU, 2020. 69 lpp. [skatīts 01.11.2023.] Pieejams: https://www.lf.llu.lv/sites/lf/files/2022-05/Stud_darbu_nof_noteik_2020_ed_15_05_22.pdf
3. Morris, T. Experimental design and analysis in animal Science. T.R. Morris. New York: Marcel Dekker, 1999. 208 p.
4. Petersen R. G. Agricultural Field Experiments Designe and Analysis. Oregone State Universit, 1994. 432 p.
5. Gustavii B. How to write and illustrate scientific paper. Cambridge University Press, 2008. 168 p.
6. Singh Y.K. Fundamental of research and methodology and statistics. [tiešsaiste] Published by New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers, 2006. 310 p. [skatīts 01.11.2023.] Pieejams: https://mfs.mkcl.org/images/ebook/Fundamental%20of%20Research%20Methodology%20and%20Statistics%20by%20Yogesh%20Kumar%20Singh.pdf

Further reading

1. Nacionālā zinātniskās darbības informācijas sistēma. Pieejams: https://sciencelatvia.lv/#/pub/home
2. Latvijas Republikas tiesību akti: likumi.lv. Likumdošanas akti, saistītie ar zinātnes nozari. Likumi. Pieejams: http://www.likumi.lv
3. Essentials of research design and methodology. Alan S. Kaufman and Nadeen L. Kaufman John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005, 305 p.
4. Ruxton G.D., Colegrave N. Experimental design for the life sciences. Oxford: Oxford University press, 2006. 2016.g.
5. Walliman N. Your research project: a step-by-step guide for the first-time researcher. London; New York; New Delhi: SAGE Publications. 2001,

Periodicals and other sources

1. Zinātniski praktiskās konferences "Līdzsvarota lauksaimniecība" raksti. Raksti lasāmi e-vidē, LBTU bibliotēkas mājās lapā.
2. Ražas svētki Vecaucē. Raksti lasāmi e-vidē, LBTU bibliotēkas mājās lapā.
3. International dairy federation https://www.fil-idf.org/
4. LLKC mājaslapa: http://llkc.lv/lv/nozares/lopkopiba/demonstrejumi-lopkopiba
5. AgroTops. Rīga: Aģentūra Agro apgāds. ISSN 1407-5164.
6. Saimnieks.lv. Žurnāls
7. Latvijas Lopkopis. Žurnāls, Latvijas Lauku konsultāciju un izglītības centrs SIA

Notes

The course is compulsory for students of the professional bachelor's study program "Agriculture" for students with the qualifications "Animal Zootechnician" and "Agricultural Production Manager" who choose the final thesis in one of the Livestock sectors.