APMA116-Animal Science Research Project Plan

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 60 [30 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites: APMA113 Livestock Nutrition and Feeding and APMA114 Contemporary Issues in Animal Science and APMA115 Sustainable Livestock Production Systems and FZMR05 Research Methods and Project Management
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Darren Juniper
Email: d.t.juniper@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

As part of the MSc by Research in Animal Science, in this entirely practical module, you’ll develop a research question and an in-depth analysis of this question, and you’ll plan systematically for your research project to test the researchable hypothesis you have developed.

Aims:

• To develop students’ research skills to enable them to conduct research projects successfully and independently.


• To identify a suitable topic, and undertake a critical review and analysis of the literature.


• To plan and cost a programme of research to test the hypothesis or research question.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module the students will be able to:

• Apply the content from the pre-requisite taught modules to the investigation of a relevant research question.


• Critically appraise the relevant scientific literature.


• Develop research aims and objectives


• Plan and cost a research project

Additional outcomes:

The development of time management and problem-solving skills.

Outline content:

An online discussion will be held to identify an appropriate research project.Ìý This may be to address a research question at the student’s place of work, or it may be part of a research programme being undertaken in the Animal, Dairy and Food Chain Sciences group at the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø. The student will then complete an in depth systematic review of the relevant literature, including (if relevant) a meta- analysis of published data.Ìý This will inform the development of the hypothesis, and devising a costed programme of work, justifying the selection of the experimental design and methodology to be used and written up as a fully costed proposal.Ìý In the development of the systematic review and the project proposal, a reflective diary will be maintained to demonstrate the evolution of the critical thinking that is behind the proposal.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Online discussions with supervisor including formative feedback on drafts of the review and proposal and consideration of the reflective diary.ÌýÌý