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Research Methodology in Biosystems Machinery I

Course developer

Course abstract

The aim of the course is to get an understanding of the organization of research process in biosystems engineering, from problem identification, goal and task formulation to analysis and interpretation of the obtained results. Students gain knowledge of theoretical and experimental research strategies, planning, methods, tools and equipment, as well as the effective use of modern technologies in the documenting and presentation of research and course projects and bachelor work.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge of basic research principles, strategies and planning of research in biosystems engineering and technologies. Knowledge is assessed in Test 1 and practical works.
Skills in the selection and implementation of theoretical and experimental research methods and techniques. Skills are assessed in Test 2 and homework.
Competence, working in group or independently, to carry out research, evaluate the obtained results, as well as to convince others and argue own viewpoint. Competences are assessed in homework – report and presentation of the research work carried out in the group.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Classification of branches of science. Concept of biosystem. Biosystems engineering and technologies, their characterization in various fields of science, incl. faculties and study programs of Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. Acquaintance with university and faculty laboratories, library, etc. resources for studies and research. – 6 h
2. The role of research in the development of civilization. Trends in modern science and research. Organization of scientific work and engineering research, problems. – 2 h
3. Study and research works included in the study program “Biosystems Engineering and Technologies”, regulations for their execution and presentation. – 2 h
4. Systems and their analysis in research work. Systemic approach in solving engineering problems. System features, structure and types. System and environment. Hierarchy of systems. Links in systems. Engineer and engineering work. The difference between scientific work and engineering work. – 2 h
5. Introduction into the strategy of solving engineering tasks and stages of research work. Theme, aim and tasks of research work. Analytical review. Theoretical and experimental research. Research results and evaluation of effectiveness. Research overview, presentation. – 3 h
6. Test 1. Systems. Stages of research work. – 1 h
7. Styles and their use in preparing of large documents. Automatic numbering of images, tables and formulas, forms, cross-references. Preparation of study paper templates in a word processing application. – 5 h
8. Calculations and charts in a spreadsheet app. Importing data from various devices into an app for further processing. Data analysis tools. – 5 h
9. Recommendations and effective methods of presentation preparation. Development of presentation templates. Preparation of study paper templates in a presentation application. – 4 h

10. Test 2. Efficient use of word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications. – 2 h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Students receive a final mark if they have successfully completed the tasks assigned in the practical works, have passed 2 tests, submitted individually prepared study paper and presentation templates, as well as a report and presentation of the research work done in the group. The tasks performed in the practical work have to be shown, as well as answering questions about the theoretical aspects of the given topic. Test 1 is in the form of a test. Test 2 is practical work on the computer. The research work in the group concludes with a presentation.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Preparation of a study paper template in a word processing application. Preparation of a presentation template. Group work – developing and presenting a small research project (about 15 pages and 15 slides).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

A student will get a successful mark in test if at least 50% of questions are properly answered. In Test 2 a certain number of points is assigned to each action. Successful score if at least 50% of the total score is achieved.

Compulsory reading

1. Holman J.P. (2011) Experimental methods for engineers: 8th edition. McGraw-Hill Education, 768 p.
2. Kumar R. (2011) Research Methodology: a Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners: 3rd edition. SAGE Publications Ltd., 440 p.
3. Kothari C.R. (2012) Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. 3rd edition. New Age International Pvt Ltd Publishers, 418 p.

4. J. Quirk T. J. (2016) Excel 2016 for Business Statistics: A Guide to Solving Practical Problems (Excel for Statistics). Springer, 260 p.
5. Ievads pētniecībā: stratēģijas, dizaini, metodes /[sastādītāja Kristīne Mārtinsone]. [Rīga]: RaKa, 2011. 284 lpp.
6. Arhipova, Irina: Varbūtību teorijas un matemātiskās statistikas pielietojumi inženierzinātnēs: mācību līdzeklis/ Irina Arhipova ; Latvijas Lauksaimniecības universitāte. Informācijas tehnoloģiju fakultāte. Jelgava: LLU, 2008. 125 lpp.
7. Arhipova I., Bāliņa S. Statistika ekonomikā. Risinājumi ar SPSS un Microsoft Excel. Rīga: Datorzinību centrs, 2003. 352 lpp.

Further reading

1. Lambert J. (2015) Microsoft Word 2016 Step By Step. Microsoft Press, 624 p.
2. Frye C. (2015) Microsoft Excel 2016 Step By Step. Microsoft Press, 544 p.

3. Lambert J. (2015) Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 Step By Step. Microsoft Press, 512 p.

Notes

The study course is included in the compulsory part of the bachelor’s study programme “Biosystems Machinery and Technologies”. 1st year, 1st semester.