Coordinator
Dr H. Slabbekoorn, h.w.slabbekoorn@biology.leidenuniv.nl
Description
The course is meant for EBC-Msc students. The course has three main focuses: Scientific writing, Methodology & Statistics, and Models. The different aspects are integrated in the 4 weeks course. We do so through one long-running project in which you will go through the entire empirical cycle of scientific research. Students will work in small groups. Data-collection itself cannot be done within the constraints in available time of this course, and as a consequence we (or rather: you) have to simulate appropriate and realistic data. In chronological order you will:
1. design a research & write an introduction and materials & methods section of a paper,
2. simulate appropriate data using deterministic and stochastic models,
3. statistically analyse the simulated data,
4. write a short scientific paper based on the results of the analysis.
This project will be intermingled with lectures and exercises focusing on the theoretical parts of the different stages of the project: aspects of scientific writing, reading scientific papers, finding literature, publication strategies, formulation of hypotheses, and statistics.
Methods of instruction
Lectures, assignements and computer practicals
Study material
G.P. Quinn and M.J. Keough (2006), Experimental design and data analysis for biologists (5th edition). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Examination
The grading of the entire course will be based on a number of deliverables and examinations:
1. the final version of the introduction and materials & methods section of a paper,
2. the final version of the description and justification of the data simulation model
3. an examination of statistics
4. the final version of the scientific paper, including the presentations of the results
Course requirements/recommendations
The student should be admitted to master track.
Time table
The course lasts 4 weeks full time
Application
Via Utwist
Blackboard
Time tables and study materials will become available at Blackboard
Course objectives – the student is able to perform a literature search on the computer and answer scientific questions based on this search – the student is able to read and critically analyse a scientific paper and able to relate concepts across different papers – the student is able to identify relevant issues in relation to the choice of a publication strategy – the student can write a scientific paper in English such as required during their research project – the student can translate theory into testable hypotheses and preditions and develop an adequate experimental design to test these hypotheses and predictions – the student can simulate data according to a specific model and according to specific assumptions – the student can apply the statistical tools to analyse experimental and comparative data