Research Methods For Life Sciences
Subject AGRI90075 (2011)
Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.
| Credit Points: | 12.50 | ||||||||||||
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| Level: | 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate) | ||||||||||||
| Dates & Locations: | This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011: Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here. | ||||||||||||
| Time Commitment: | Contact Hours: Twenty-four hours of lectures and 36 hours of tutorials and practicals Total Time Commitment: 120 hours | ||||||||||||
| Prerequisites: | None | ||||||||||||
| Corequisites: | None | ||||||||||||
| Recommended Background Knowledge: | Students who have not taken any statistical analysis subjects at a tertiary level are advised to take Research Methods for Life Sciences as an introduction to statistical analysis. | ||||||||||||
| Non Allowed Subjects: | Students who have completed statistical analysis subjects at a tertiary level are advised not to take Research Methods for Life Sciences. Students should select Research Philosophies and Statistics or Social Research Methods as alternatives. | ||||||||||||
| Core Participation Requirements: | N/A |
Coordinator
Dr Peter AdesContact
Melbourne School of Land & Environment Student Centre
Ground Floor, Land & Food Resources (building 142)
Enquiries
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352)
Email: 13MELB@unimelb.edu.au
| Subject Overview: |
This subject provides students with an introduction to a number of statistical techniques which are frequently used in agriculture, science and business situations. Course content will be set within the context of practical problems. Technology will be used to support statistical calculations. It is designed for students with little or no background in statistics. Topics include an introduction to sampling techniques and experimental design; descriptive treatment of sample data; introduction to elementary probability and distributions; estimation and hypothesis testing of means and proportions; the chi-square distribution; simple and multiple regression and correlation; one-factor and two-factor analysis of variance; and use of statistical computer packages. |
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| Objectives: | The aim of this unit is to assist students to develop an: • Introduction to statistical analysis • Understanding of the process of statistical analysis • Introduction to the use of statistical analysis in postgraduate research • Ability to select appropriate methodological frameworks and to match research tools to these approaches |
| Assessment: | A 3-hour end of semester examination (50%), one integrated assignment of up to 3500 words or equivalent due in week 10 (50%). |
| Prescribed Texts: | Essential Statistics (D G Rees), 4th edn, Chapman and Hall, 2001 |
| Breadth Options: | This subject is not available as a breadth subject. |
| Fees Information: | Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date |
| Generic Skills: | Students should progressively acquire generic skills from this subject that will assist them in any future career path. These include • problem-solving skills: the ability to engage with unfamiliar problems and identify relevant solution strategies; • analytical skills: the ability to construct and express logical arguments and to work in abstract or general terms to increase the clarity and efficiency of analysis; • time management skills: the ability to meet regular deadlines while balancing competing commitments. |
| Related Course(s): |
Master of Agricultural Science Master of Urban Horticulture |
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