This Course Guide has been taken from the most recent presentation of the course. It would be useful for reference purposes but please note that there may be updates for the following presentation.
SCI S330
Scientific Research Methods
SCI S330 Scientific Research Methods is a one-semester, five-credit, Higher level undergraduate course. This course is a compulsory course for students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (Biology and Chemistry) degree. The course is designed for students with varying backgrounds who are primarily majoring in biology and chemistry. Knowledge of foundational science or the equivalent is therefore strongly recommended for this course.
The aim of this course is to introduce you to the basic principles of scientific research methods, and enhance and develop your ability to understand and perform independent scientific research. Learning about scientific research methods and applying them to real-world problems are skills that serve us for the rest of our lives.
The course begins by delineating the basic concepts and strategies at the foundation of the scientific research process, then it guides you through the research process from problem selection to completed research report. By the end of this course we hope that you will be able to execute your own scientific research projects in specific academic disciplines effectively and professionally.
SCI S330 is delivered through a blend of learning modes. This means that, in addition to the material you will read in your printed study units and the two course textbooks, there will also be a strong emphasis on supplementary online content, most of which can be found on the website that accompanies the first of your course textbooks. This website has a variety of interactive animations and quizzes which should greatly enhance your understanding of the principle concepts introduced in the course. In addition, you will be expected to attend a day school session, surgeries and tutorials. Thus, in SCI S330, you will have the opportunity to expand your learning experiences with not just print materials, but also online support and face-to-face interaction.
Aims
The aims of the course are to:
Course learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
The following table gives a general overview of the course structure. It suggests the amount of time you should allow for completing units and provides a broad schedule for you to plan your work. These times are intended as a guide only and should be adjusted to fit your personal needs more closely.
| Unit (Textbook chapters) | Study time (weeks) | Assessment | |
| 1 | Fundamentals of research | 3 | |
| 2 | Planning and preparation for research | 3 | Assignment 1 (Units 1–2) |
| 3 | Research approach | 3 | |
| 4 | Analysing and interpreting data | 3 | Dayschool |
| 5 | Reporting | 3 | Assignment 2 (all units) |
| Revision | 1 | ||
| Total | 16 | ||
The course materials include this Course Guide, five study units, an Assignment File and other useful materials mentioned below.
Materials
In addition to this Course Guide, the course has the following important components. Please ensure that you have all of these materials.
Study units
The five study units in this course are:
Unit 1 Fundamentals of research focuses on the fundamentals and beginning steps in the research process, including identifying research problems and formulating hypotheses. Research plays a vital role in addressing questions. Through research we can develop results that can help to answer these questions. Scientists — and even science students — must learn that conducting scientific research requires an understanding of the whole research process. This unit will help students understand what research is, and the many forms it can take.
Unit 2 Planning and preparation for research describes the process and strategies for planning research. Planning is important before conducting research. A good research plan allows a research project to be conducted smoothly and effectively. Researchers plan their research design and specific methods in such a way that they can acquire data relevant to their research problem. In addition to identifying the goal of the research, they must also identify how they propose to reach that goal. The unit first describes the importance of the literature review and familiarizes you with methods of searching related literature thoroughly and efficiently. It then provides you with a general strategy for the research plan and design. Finally, it outlines the characteristics of the research proposal.
Unit 3 Research approach describes the characteristics of both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Understanding the research approach is important for conducting research. Quantitative, qualitative, or combinations of both approaches are the most popular frameworks used in the research process. Research is conducted differently when different approaches are used. This unit will also help you become familiar with the differences between the qualitative and quantitative approaches, and with the criteria for choosing either a qualitative or quantitative approach for research.
Unit 4 Analysing and interpreting data emphasizes the process of data analysis and interpretation, including data organization, statistics and their procedures as elements of this process. After researchers have generated a body of research data, they engage in the process of data analysis and interpretation in order to synthesize these data to generate more useful meanings. The analysed data help to determine whether to support or dismiss the hypothesis in question. Performing appropriate statistical tests helps researchers decide whether a difference between samples or the correlation of two variables is significant through a critical test of the hypothesis. The unit will also address the steps in testing and refining the hypothesis based on the results obtained.
Unit 5 Reporting focuses on writing strategies for a research report, and addresses the researcher's presentation skills and the steps in journal publication. The research report is a straightforward document that states clearly and precisely what the researcher has done to resolve a research problem. Skilful presentation and marshalling of arguments are hence important to present results in such a way that other people can clearly understand the report's message and conclusion.
For your study of each unit, you are encouraged to do the following:
Set textbooks
You are required to purchase the following set textbooks:
Assignment File
The Assignment File, which is available from the Online Learning Environment (OLE) provides you with guidelines for working on your assignments. You can refer to the Course Guide section on assessment that follows, and to the Assignment File itself for more information.
Presentation Schedule
The Presentation Schedule is available on the Online Learning Environment (OLE). It gives you the dates for completing assignments, and attending tutorials and surgeries, and so on.
Supplementary readings
Excerpts from the following source will be integrated into the SCI S330 course materials as core readings:
Supplementary media
One optional DVD: 'The Scientific Method' by CLEARVUE/eav, 2000.
The contents of this DVD fully support the presentation of the textbook. Additional features on this DVD will help your visualize the concepts behind, and basic components of, a research study. It examines the logic behind the scientific method and will show you, in a relevant easy-to-understand manner, how you already use the scientific method in everyday life. Although learning from this DVD is not compulsory for the course, you will benefit from this multimedia experience of scientific research methods.
Equipment needed for supplementary media
You need to have at least the following equipment for the course:
Hardware
Minimum configuration:
Software
Assessment
There is informal and formal assessment in this course. The informal assessment includes the self-assessed Web-based activities and self-tests stipulated in each unit. The formal assessment includes assignments and a final examination. Assignments must be submitted to your tutor for formal assessment according to the stated deadlines. The non-assessed activities are not part of your formal assessment, but it is very important that you complete all these activities as you work through the units.
The course uses assignments and a final examination as the means of assessing student performance. Assignments serve as the overall continuous assessment score (OCAS) during the study period and account for 60% of the overall course score (OCS). A final examination to be conducted at the end of the course accounts for the other 40% of the OCS. To pass the course, you are required to obtain at least 40% or above on the OCAS and 40% or above in the overall exam score (OES) in final examination.
In addition to reading the study units, you are required to attend only one day school session designed for the course. The dayschool will be assessed and taken as the form of individual presentations. All students will be required to give a 5–10 minutes presentation on their project outline, followed by a five-minute question and answer section. Your project outline should be based on the topic of your research project (Assignment 2).
Assignments
There are two assignments for the course, and you are required to submit both of them. Assignment 1 will comprise a mixture of short essay and data interpretative questions. Assignment 2 will take the form of an individual project report. You are required to perform a scientific research project on a specific topic (the details and topics for the research project will be listed in the assignment file section of the course materials). You can find the assignments in your Assignment File (available on the OLE) along with detailed instructions on how to complete them. You must submit all assignments to your tutor for marking.
Your assignment schedule can be found from the 'Course organization' section. These assignments will be marked by your tutor.
Assignment submission extension policy
The assignment policy of the university as stated in the Student Handbook should be observed. You are required to submit assignments for this course in accordance with the dates communicated by your Course Coordinator. You may apply for a submission extension on the grounds of illness, accident, disability, bereavement or other compassionate circumstances.
Applications for extensions of up to seven days should be submitted to your tutor, who will consider valid and unexpected emergencies on an individual basis. Normally, documented proof of the extenuating circumstances is not required for extensions of up to seven days. Your tutor will decide on and advise you of the revised date for submission.
For extensions of over seven days, you should note the following:
If you require an extension of more than seven days on the grounds of illness, accident, disability, bereavement or other compassionate circumstances, you are required to complete an 'Application Form for Assignment Extension over seven days' and submit it to your Course Coordinator.
Supporting documents must be submitted, along with the application for extension of over seven days to justify the claim.
Applications for extension should normally be lodged before or on the due date.
If the assignment is posted to your tutor, it is your responsibility to check that your assignment has successfully arrived (see Assignment File). Extension applications without supporting documents on the grounds of postal loss will not be accepted. The university cannot accept any responsibility for assignments that are not received by your tutor due to problems with the post. As a precaution, you are advised to keep a copy of each assignment you submit, and to obtain a certificate of posting from the post office when you post your assignments.
According to the university's policy, there can be no extensions of the cut-off date for the final assignment.
Final examination
At the end of the course, you are required to attend a final examination. The examination aims to test your thorough understanding in the topic areas covered in the course. The examination will be of three hours' duration. It will be a mix of essay-type and data interpretation questions. The total score of the examination paper contributes 40% of the overall course score (OCS). You might find it useful to review your non-assessed activities, self-assessment exercises, assignments and your tutor's comments on them when preparing for the examination.
In order to pass this course, you must pass both the assignments and the examination.
Course marking scheme
The course marking scheme is summarized in the following table. The assignments and final examination account for 60% and 40% of the total course marks respectively.
| Assessment | Course area covered | Weighting |
| Assignment 1 | Units 1–2 | 15% |
| Assignment 2 | All units | 30% |
| Dayschool | All units | 15% |
| Final examination | All units | 40% |
| Total | 100% | |
There are five units in this course. The units direct you to work on activities related to the material covered, which can both help you gauge your progress and reinforce your understanding of the material covered in the unit. More importantly, these activities give examples to help you fully understand the concepts presented in the textbook, and can assist you in applying these concepts and techniques beyond the textbook. Together with the assignments, these activities will assist you in achieving the learning objectives of the individual units of the course.
Please note that the biggest temptation that students face, when they are short of time, is just to read the course materials. When they get to an activity or self-test, they flip straight ahead or to the back of the unit to look at the feedback or suggested answers. This saves time and students get to know the correct answers, so it is an effective way to learn, right? Wrong! Terribly wrong! Many contemporary educationists believe that learning is not a process that happens when people listen to a lecture or read a book passively. They think that learning takes place as people actively construct knowledge. Do not take a shortcut that compromises your learning. Attempt the activities and self-tests presented in the study units.
When done properly, working with fellow students on difficult learning activities or assignments can be beneficial. However, doing so without acknowledging the contributions of other students in your own work is plagiarism. It has happened that after enough cosmetic changes had been made, the act of cheating was not caught by the tutor marking the assignment. But in such a case, the student's learning suffers and this will show in the final examination.
Apart from self-study, support is provided to you in two ways: direct personal contact and through electronic means.
Support through direct personal contact
Support through direct personal contact includes telephone tutoring, surgeries, tutorials and day schools.
Details of the dates, times and locations of tutorials as well as the name, email address and phone number of your tutor will be sent to you in due course.
Your tutor will mark and comment on your assignments, keep an eye on your progress and assist you if you encounter problems during the course. Marked assignments will be returned to you as soon as possible.
It is good practice to keep a copy of each assignment submitted for marking, so that you can refer to queries during discussion with the tutor. Please contact you tutor should the following arise:
While you may think you are studying on your own, it doesn't need to be that way. You can be in regular contact with your tutor and, once you've met for the first tutorial, you can be in contact with other students in the course. Make a point when you meet other students to exchange phone numbers or email addresses. In this way, you will be well on the way to developing a learning network of your own.
Telephone tutoring
Each tutor will allocate four to six hours per week in order to answer your telephone calls.
Surgeries
As a supplement to telephone tutoring, the course includes surgery sessions that will be held every two or three weeks.
An on-duty tutor chairs each surgery. Each surgery aims to provide a face-to-face environment for consultation on individual students' study problem areas.
You may bring along questions on the study units and assignments when you consult the on-duty tutor.
Day school
A day school is a required part of this course. The day school will take the form of individual presentations. You will be required to give a 5–10 minute presentation on your project outline, followed by a five-minute question and answer session. Your project outline should be based on the topic of your research project (Assignment 2). The aim of the day school is to provide a platform for you to practice and enrich your presentation skills. The assessment of your presentation will be mainly based on the following:
Tutorials
There are five tutorial sessions in the course, totalling ten hours. They will involve a number of interactive learning activities, and will be organized to assist you in your learning process. Tutorials will be based on the major course units, and tutors may also introduce further explanations, examples and readings. Full details are given in the Presentation Schedule.
It is strongly recommended that you attend all these tutorials, which will provide considerable assistance in your study of this course. Compared to the classes attended by hundreds of students in a typical university, the tutorials with 30 students or so at HKMU provide a good opportunity for you to meet other distance learners on the course and get to know your tutor. You will find that support and encouragement from students and tutors is very helpful.
Attendance in tutorials is optional but you are urged to take advantage of them. You can get the most from tutorials by studying the relevant materials beforehand, making comments and asking questions. Remember that learning does not happen passively. Your active participation in tutorials is crucial.
Support through electronic means
You may use email to ask your assigned tutor about problems you encounter in your studies. This channel provides flexibility to both tutors and you by overcoming the limitations of telephone tutoring in solving more technical issues.
OLE
HKMU has developed an online delivery system, the Online Learning Environment (OLE), to facilitate learning for distance learning students like you. The OLE has a variety of features, such as discussion board, chat room, email, course calendar, course news, course materials, evaluation and online help.
SCI S330 Scientific Research Methods is a one-semester, Higher level course designed to help you understand the important scientific research principals and skills used in specific academic disciplines.
To understand the content of this course you will need to work carefully through the course materials, study the assigned readings, complete the supplementary Web-based activities and make sure you undertake periodic self-assessments to check your comprehension of the material when self-tests are assigned. It is hoped that you will find SCI S330 an interesting course, and more importantly, you will be able to use the knowledge you acquire from this course to execute your own scientific research projects in your professions.
Dr Fred Lee Wang-fat obtained his BSc (Hons) and PhD Degrees from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Prior to joining HKMU, he was a full-time instructor in the Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Department of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, teaching courses in immunobiology, human physiology, analytical biochemistry and DNA technology. He was also a postdoctoral research fellow in the same department. Dr Lee is active in the research of harmful algal blooms (red tides), focusing on the blooming and toxin-producing mechanism, and on the identification, prevention and removal of red tides. He has also published articles on various molecular and proteomic technologies in international journals. He is now an Assistant Professor in the School of Science and Technology at HKMU.
