AGS705: Research Formulation & Communication

AGS(366) 705: Research Formulation and Communication
Agricultural Systems Program | Multiple Cropping Center |
Faculty of Agriculture | Chiang Mai University, Thailand

Credit: 2

Prerequisite: None

Course Description Planning and forming agricultural systems hypotheses, gathering the appropriate data, analyzing them, and effectively synthesizing, reporting and communicating their results. Tools for data collection and analysis will be discussed. The nature of science and the scientific method will be discussed along with professional ethics in the conduct and communication of science. Research project planning, formulation and funding will be discussed. Synthesis and communication of key components of research findings in technical workshops and conferences will be discussed and illustrated.

Course Objective To introduce the student with research process, includes planning, implementing, and communicating.

Class meeting Wednesday, 15:00-16:15 O'Clock at MCC Meeting Room 4.

Instructor: Attachai Jintrawet (attachai@chiangmai.ac.th)

Course contents: AGS705 Road Map
1. Agricultural Research Road Map (9 hours)

1.1 Nature of agricultural systems research

Norman Borlaug 1970

Lecture PDF file

1.2 Ethics in Agricultural Systems research

Lecture PDF file

1.3 On-line database searching strategies and literature review: databases, methods and tools

Lecture PDF file

1.4 Agricultural Systems research formulation

Lecture PDF file

2. Research Project Planning and Operation (6 hours)

2.1 Critical factors leading to a successful project proposal	Lecture PDF file
2.2 The uses of application software to facilitate various activities in a research project	Lecture PDF file

3. Synthesizing, Reporting and Communicating the Results (15 hours)

3.1 Linking research findings and formulation	Lecture PDF file
3.2 Research data preparation, interpretation, delivery, and reporting	Lecture PDF file
3.3 Research findings presentation and communication	Lecture PDF file

Course Structure:

Information will be presented in class lectures, assigned readings and exercises, and discussions.
Assignments will be required throughout the semester:
- Search assignments -
  - CMU-OPAC (http://www.lib.cmu.ac.th),
  - AGRICOLA (http://www.nal.usda.gov/ag98/ag98.html),
  - SciDirect (http://www.scidirect.com), etc.
- A paper that allows you to explore online resources. A presentation of your findings will be presented to the class.
Four quizzes will check your knowledge and understanding of terminology, online resources, search procedure, and search strategy.
Class participation is expected in class discussions and other activities, as the sharing of opinions and questions is an important part of the learning process.

Course Evaluation:

Quizzes (4) 40%

Search assignments (3) 30%

Research paper and presentation 20%

Class participation 10%

Recommended Books:
Creswell, J.W. 2003. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches
Wilson, K. and G. Morren, Jr. 1990. Systems Approaches for Improvement in Agriculture and Resource Management, Macmillan Publishing Co., New York

Multiple Cropping Center (MCC), Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 50200
Phone: 66-53-221275 Fax: 66-53-210000 Homepage: http://mccweb.agri.cmu.ac.th

Quizzes (4)	40%
Search assignments (3)	30%
Research paper and presentation	20%
Class participation	10%