Study Programmes 2015-2016
DOCU0450-2  
Documentation training applied to oceanography (bibliography and database)
Duration :
30h Mon. WS
Number of credits :
Master in oceanography (120 ECTS)5
Master in oceanography (120 ECTS)5
Lecturer :
Aïda Alvera Azcarate, Ninfa Greco
Coordinator :
Ninfa Greco
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
The objective of these lessons is to learn how to look for the bibliography and data sets relevant for the realisation of their master's final study.
Regarding the bibliographic search, the course starts with an overview of the methods for computer-based search criteria. The students will be presented with the main biology bibliographic databases, and some software for the management of their bibliographic references. Then the students will perform their own bibliographic research. Attention will be drawn to ethical rules (no plagiarism).
The students will be also presented with some of the main oceanographic databases, which can be used to extract data to support the hypothesis of their final work and to compare with their own data.
Learning outcomes of the course :
Bibliography part:
The student will be able to:
  • Determine the main points that need to be supported with the help of bibliography
  • Select the appropriate bibliographic datasets
  • Perform a computer-based bibliographic research and access the full text of the necessary references
  • Combine the bibliographic information with other sources of information
  • Sort the information in terms of their quality and pertinence to their work.
  • Computer-based management of their bibliography
  • Prepare a well-organised written summary of their bibliographic researches and an oral presentation
  • Avoid plagiarism


Regarding the databases part:
The main objective is to know the different databases that are available in oceanography.
A review of the main web-based databases for each discipline (physical, chemical, biological oceanography...) will be done. A few requests will be made in these webpages in order to encounter different interfaces. The importance of metadata will be explained.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Bibliography part:
  • Passive knowledge of scientific English
  • The students must have read and understood the course materials from "Formation à l'exploitation des ressources documentaires", given by Ninfa Greco in BAC3 biology
Databases part:
Most databases are available through webpages , so a basic knowledge of a browser is needed. Other necessary concepts will be introduced during the lessons.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Biblography part:
After a 3-hour theory lesson, the students perform their researches with a computer.
Databases part:
Theoretic concepts will be given at the same time that practical applications are performed. Specific requests will be asked to the students, in order to address any difficulties the students may encounter.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face-to-face lessons
Recommended or required readings :
Bibliography part:
More references :
  • Bertrand Baschwitz, Maria Antonia. 2009. Comment me documenter? Bruxelles: De Boeck. 174p. (Guides pratiques: former et se former).
  • Pochet B., 2015. Lire et écrire la littérature scientifique. Gembloux : Presses agronomiques de Gembloux. http://www.infolit.be/LELiS/
  • University of Liege. 2015. Plagiarism? Not for me! A short guide for University of Liege Students.http://www.ulg.ac.be/upload/docs/application/pdf/2013-06/plagiarism_-_not_for_me.pdf
Databases part:
Course materials are available at http://modb.oce.ulg.ac.be/mediawiki/index.php/Documentation_Oceanography
Assessment methods and criteria :
Bibliography part:
The students must present a written report, preferably sent by e-mail to N.Greco@ulg.ac.be. This report must be sent 3 working days before the oral exam. The oral exam takes about 30 minutes: 15 minutes of oral presentation and 15 minutes of question and answers.
Databases part:
The exam is a report describing the use of a specific database for a given variable. The report must include comments on the accessibility of data, problems found, etc. The aim is to make the student think about the need for a precise identification of the data.through the use of metadata
Work placement(s) :
None
Organizational remarks :
Bibliography part:
The course is presented from week 4 to week 10, on Monday from 14:00 to 17:00, at B7a. (computer room)

Databases part: A series of 3-4 lessons of about 3 hours will be given, inmediately following the bibliography part (i.e. during the first quadrimester.
Contacts :
Bibliography: Ninfa Greco: N.Greco@ulg.ac.be
Databases: Aida Alvera: A.Alvera@ulg.ac.be
Items online :
Two different and complementary access
Bibliography Part: Tutorials are availble on ecampus http://www.ecampus.ulg.ac.be/ Databases part: http://modb.oce.ulg.ac.be/mediawiki/index.php/Documentation_Oceanography