Documentation training and preparation to the final thesis

Bibliographic research

The objective is to supervise students in looking for a relevant bibliography for the realisation of the master's final study. This is supersided work. The students should adopt a proactive attitude.
The course starts with an introduction and a contextualization. Then there is an overview of the methods for computer-based bibliographic search. The students will be presented with the main biology bibliographic databases and a software for the management of their bibliographic references. Attention will be drawn to ethical rules (no plagiarism). Then the students will perform their own bibliographic research. 

Application to oceanography

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.
The "data lifecycle" question will be addressed, in order to familiarise the student with the concepts of data collection, validation, prreservation and dissemination. The international context and legal framework will be also addressed.

Bibliographic research

The student will be able to:

• Determine the main points that need to be supported with the help of bibliography in a context of scientific research
• Select the appropriate information sources and bibliographic datasets
• Perform a computer-based bibliographic research and access the full text of the necessary references
• Sort the information in terms of their quality and pertinence to their work
• Combine the bibliographic information with other sources of information
• Manage computerized bibliography
• Avoid plagiarism
• Prepare a well-organised written summary of their bibliographic researches or an oral presentation

Application to oceanography

The first 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.
The second objective is to assimilate the basic concepts for a profesionnal management of marine research data, from a producer or data manager point of view.

Bibliographic research

• 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 B3 biology

Application to oceanography

Most databases are available through webpages , so a basic knowledge of a browser is needed. Other necessary concepts will be introduced during the lessons.

Bibliographic research

After an introduction and theoretical backgrounds largely in response to requests from the students, they perform their own researches with a computer.

Application to oceanography

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.
The "data lifecycle" concept and its place within the international frame (mainly European) will be adressed from the theoretical point of view. The students will then develop a data management plan based on specific projects.

Bibliographic research

Blended learning

Application to oceanography

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Face-to-face lessons. These are tutorials. The teachers answer questions from students and help them to overcome their difficulties. The students should adopt a proactive attitude.

Bibliographic research

As a reminder, lesson materials of the course "Formation à l'exploitation des ressources documentaires" (B3) are available in ecampus.
More references :

• Dony Christophe, 2019, Guide d'utilisation de Zotero: Fonctionnalités de base de l'outil de gestion bibliographique. Online. http://hdl.handle.net/2268/232436
• Pochet Bernard, 2015. Comprendre et maitriser la littérature scientifique. Gembloux : Presses agronomiques de Gembloux. Online. Version du 2 août 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2268/186181
• University of Liege. 2017. Plagiarism? Not for me! A short guide for University of Liege Students. https://www.enseignement.uliege.be/upload/docs/application/pdf/2017-07/plagiarism_-_not_for_me.pdf

Application to oceanography

Course materials are available at http://modb.oce.ulg.ac.be/mediawiki/index.php/Documentation_Oceanography

Bibliographic research

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Continuous assessment

Other : Written support or PowerPoint of the examination will be provided for the teacher.


Additional information:

Final note of DOCU0459-A-a Recherche bibliographique:
- 25% continuous assessment via MCQ on eCampus
- 75% oral exam

Application to oceanography

Written work / report


Additional information:

The students will present a written report addressing the approach used to obtain data for the realisation of their Master's final work. A data management plan will be included. The report will be also presented orally.

Bibliographic research

None

Application to oceanography

None

Bibliographic research

The part "bibliographical research" is taught on Monday from 14:00 to 18:00:

• 11/10/21
• 25/10/21
• 15/11/21
• 22/11/21
• 29/11/21

Application to oceanography

A series of 3-4 lessons of about 3 hours will be given, inmediately following the bibliography part (i.e. during the first quadrimester).

Bibliographic research

Ninfa Greco
N.Greco@uliege.be

Application to oceanography

Databases: Aida Alvera: A.Alvera@uliege.be