FZMR05-Research Methods and Project Management

Module Provider: Food and Nutritional Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Caroline Rymer
Email: c.rymer@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Research planning and implementation is important within the context of strategic business decisions in the food and agricultural industries. Therefore, a major element of the Food ATP programmes is the undertaking and reporting of a significant research dissertation/thesis. Delivered on-line only through distance learning using video lectures, interactive forum based seminars and self-directed study hosted on the ÌÇÐÄ̽»¨â€™s VLE, this module is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and tools for completing this task by exploring some approaches to conducting research and describing the research process.

Aims:

The module aims to provide the student with an understanding of the principles of scientific research and methodologies and techniques in qualitative and quantitative research. In addition it will provide an understanding of and skills in:

• Research ethics as applied to research in food quality and health


• Developing research project plans and research design


• Using statistical methods for the analysis of data


• Application of project management principles to research


• Reviewing the scientific literature

Assessable learning outcomes:
- Formulate and evaluate research questions
- Consider the ethical implications of research
- Critically assess research findings as reported in primary literature
- Critically assess the potential research designs for a selected topic
- Collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative research data
- Select appropriate statistical methods to analyse research data
- Develop a research plan that identifies required resources, project duration, scope, key stakeholders and risk

Additional outcomes:

• Critical evaluation of information from a variety of sources


• Effective communication of scientific and business information in oral and written format and through presentations.


• Debate and discussion skills


• Time management skills


• Using software for data analysis

Outline content:
The nature of research: identifying the underlying conceptual elements of a research issue; the aims of research; theoretical approaches to research; the research hypothesis

Research design: defining hypotheses; the choice of appropriate experimental design

Qualitative and quantitative research methods: case studies; data collection; analysis and presentation of results

Research ethics and good research practice

Selecting subjects/samples for a research study: definition of a research population; sampling techniques; sample size; estimation of error and bias in measurements/responses; sampling error

Statistical significance and testing: understanding statistical significance; general overview of statistical testing and review of accepted/common methodologies

Introduction to multivariate experimental design: examining causal relationships

Developing a research plan: project resources, duration and scope; identifying key stakeholders, their influence and impact on a project; identifying and managing risk

Literature searching: examine different ways of searching the literature; evaluate the relative importance of different pieces of literature

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will consist of ten weeks of distance learning material, including video lectures, guided reading, interactive workbooks and online discussion boards. Discussion and feedback will take place through the Virtual Learning Environment associated with the module and e-mail.