Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Distinguish between scientific (peer-reviewed) and other sources of information;
- Search electronic databases to find relevant literature on a specific topic;
- Understand the differences between scientific and other forms of writing;
- Write a scientific review paper on a specific topic;
- Participate in peer-review (as author and reviewer) to improve a scientific document;
- Prepare a short oral presentation using PowerPoint or similar software.
Indicative Module Content:
The use of abstracted or indexed sources of information will be introduced and search operations for the selection of pertinent literature sources from electronic catalogues and databases will be applied by the students in computer assisted practicals. The module will introduce students to fundamental differences between scientific writing (e.g. theses, journal articles, technical reports) and other forms of writing (e.g. popular, journalistic, literary, blogs) and will explain how to read scientific articles. Students will learn about principles of scientific writing, including linguistic style, citation and bibliography, construction of arguments, structure and sections of scientific texts, using data and graphical information, plagiarism and publication outlet-specific conventions. The students will apply those principles and skills in the researching, drafting, peer-reviewing and revising of a written literature review. The students will prepare informative and visually appealing slides for an oral presentation on a scientific topic.