Course: Methods of Scientific Working (for Crop Sciences) (3502-441)

Persons:

• Prof. Dr. Karl Schmid (verantwortlich)

Type of Course:

lecture

In-Class Hours Per Week:

4

Contents:

The course provides an introduction into the fundamentals of the scientific method in the context of crop science from both a theoretical and a practical point of view.

Topics: Historical, philosophical and conceptual foundations of the scientific method; Inductive and deductive logic; Statistical methods for scientific investigation: Frequentist and Bayesian statistics; Limits of the scientific method; Scientific versus un-scientific approaches;

The second part of the course provides an introduction into the practical aspects of scientific working. External experts will be invited to lecture on a range of topics that include: Intellectual property and patenting; Publication in scientific journals and the popular press; ethics of science and good scientific practice;

Additional lectures will outline the tasks and duties expected from a scientist such as grant writing, design and supervision of researc projects, publication of results. Excercises will include the critical analysis and the writing of scientific and science-related texts.

Literature:

- Gauch, H. (2002) : The scientific method in practice. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- An additional reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Location:

Hohenheim

Remarks:

Presentation of the content with a script and slides; exercises are used to improve the understanding of the material; Seminars are used to present and discuss controversial scientfic and non-scientific papers. A written report and a presentation of assignments is expected from participants.

Module:

• 3502-440 Methods of Scientific Working (for Crop Sciences) (compulsory)

eLearning:

Course in ILIAS