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Preparation of Research Work

Course developers

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to strengthen and apply theoretical and practical knowledge about the development of research work by gradually developing the topic of self-chosen theme. In the study course, master students will apply the previously acquired basic principles of scientific research work development, searching for literature sources on the specific topic, creating a literature review, describing the applied methods, performing data analysis and describing the obtained results.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

The master student will acquire knowledge: 1) about the structure of research work for a specific topic; 2) on the role of separate chapters in the development of the topic (practical work and seminar).
The master student will acquire skills to: 1) select scientific literature in databases on a specific topic; 2) to create descriptions of materials and methods, results and discussion, to create tables, figures according to the specific topic; 4) to form a scientific discussion and formulate conclusions based on data analysis (practical work).
The master student will be competent: to use scientific literature for research of a specific topic, to critically evaluate the correspondence of literature to research and to create reports of research work in the form of text, tables, pictures (practical works).

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Basic principles of creating an introduction, design of the aim, tasks of the study and description of the actuality of the research work (1h)
2. Practical work: Preparation of the research work introduction 1-1.5 pages (3h)
3. Use of scientific literature, structured and scientifically based development of literature review (1h)
4. Practical work: Analysis of the literature used in the research (3h)
5. Development of materials and methods description (1h)
6. Practical work: Description of materials and methods used in the research (3h)
7. Graphical representation of results, basic principles of creating tables, description of results and formation of discussion (1h)
8. Practical work: Analysis, interpretation and graphical representation of the research data (3h)
9. Design of research text, figures and tables, design of annexes and references, basic principles of writing annotation (1h);
10. Practical work: Creating an annotation for research work, design of figures and tables (3h)
11. Practical work: Design of references and their styles in research works (3h)
12. Closing seminar on the basic preparation principles of research work (1h)

Requirements for awarding credit points

Assessment: All practical assignments have been submitted, and participation in the final seminar with a presentation on the research project has been completed. To pass, a total of 70 points must be obtained from all practical assignments and the final seminar.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

According to the instructions of the lecturer, each master student independently performs practical work on the topic of his / her research work.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Student performance is assessed cumulatively. The final seminar accounts for 25%, while the practical assignments account for 75% of the overall grade. A minimum of 70 points must be accumulated in the course to pass.
If the submission deadline for a practical assignment is missed, even if the assignment is completed correctly, only 50% of the points for that specific assignment can be awarded. If the total score does not reach 70 points, the student must take the final assessment.
Maximum points:
• Practical assignments – 75 points
• Seminar – 25 points
Grading scale:
• Fail: 0–69 points

• Pass: 70–100 points

Compulsory reading

1. Valujeva K., Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādāšanai un aizstāvēšanai LBTU LBTU Meža un vides zinātņu fakultātes akadēmiskās maģistra studiju programmas “Vides, ūdens un zemes inženierzinātnes” studentiem. Jelgava: LLU, 2023.
2. Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana . Red. K. Martinsone un A. Pipere. Rīga: Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte, 2019. 311 lpp.
3. Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva . Red. K. Martinsone un A. Pipere. Rīga: Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte, 2021. 607 lpp.

Further reading

1. Mitra B.K.Effective Technical Communication. A Guide for Scientists and Engineers. Oxford University Press, New Delhi, India, 2006. 224 p.
2. Day A. How to Get Research Published in Journals. 2nd Edition. Gower, Farnham, Surrey, England; Burlington, VT, 2010. 140 p.
3. Bloch J. Plagiarism, Intellectual Property and the Teaching of L2 Writing. New Perspectives on Language and Education. Bristol, UK; Buffalo: Multilingual Matters, 2012. 188 p.
4. Hofmann,A.ngelika H. Scientific writing and communication: papers, proposals, and presentations. New York; Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010. 682 p.
5. 5. Van Emden J., Becker L. (2018) Writing for engineers. 4rd ed. London: Palgrawe Macmillan, 2018. 151 pp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference “Research for Rural Development”. [online] Available: https://rrd.lbtu.lv/proceedings

Notes

The course of study is mandatory for the LLU VBF Masters Programme Environment, Water and Land Engineering full-time students.