Introduction to research

Duration

10h Th, 10h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Jean-Paul Donnay

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

Learning unit contents

1 The scientific research - Recalling elements of philosophy of science - Introduction to the epistemology of geographical sciences
2 Designing a research - Work Plans - State of the art - Hypothesis - Data and treatments - Conclusions - Bibliography and References
3 Vademecum of the writing of a scientific project - Types of research projects - Main characteristics of the projects - Steps in drafting projects - Form of projects
For information : - Dissemination of research results - Research funding and scientific career - Search Tools - Vade-mecum of the scientific poster

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Planning of the Master thesis

Training for the writting of scientifical papers and posters

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

- Philosophy of sciences
- Epistemology of geography

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Writing of a scientific project based on the main topics of the Master thesis in progress

Or promotion of a previous personal scientific work by the publication of a scientific paper or a poster

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Face-to-face
 4 seminars on theory (4 x 2 h 30)
1 practical work: - 1 oral presentation by the student - 1 formated report
 

Recommended or required readings

Slides (PDF) available on the eCampus server 
Suggested reading: GATRELL J.D., BIERLY G.D. & JENSEN R.R. (2005) Research Design and Proposal Writing in Spatial Science. Springer, Berlin-Heidelberg, 216 p.

Assessment methods and criteria

- Assessment of the practical works by the tenured professor (oral presentation 50% and report 50%)
- Presentation during the January session

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

- Organized at the end of the first term, when all the students have chosen a topic of Master thesis
- Room 4/18, building B5a (Institute of Physics)

Contacts

Prof. JP Donnay jp.donnay@ulg.ac.be
Unit of Geomatics  Institute of Physics (B5a) Agora, 19 Allée du 6 Août 4000 Liège

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