Develop a critical approach to scientific issues and the role of research.

Develop skills in different epistemological approaches for scientific research problems

Familiarise with basic research methods and project management.

Develop the skills needed for effective and clear communication of technical, scientific and professional information in academia, industry and the public

Develop competence in preparing and presenting scientific documents, scientific publications and proposals

Upon completion of the course, students will have acquired the basic skills for researching scientific problems, including:

1. Develop critical thinking to choose and / or combine methodological approaches to tackle complex and interdisciplinary scientific and technical problems.
2. Ability to critically approach data collection, codification, evaluation and data analysis
3. Ability to critically approach basic methods of qualitative and quantitative research
4. Ability for literary review
5. Create confidence in speaking ability through practice in class and rehearsals in individual tutorials; ability to communicate technical, scientific and professional information in academia, industry and the general public
6. Develop competence in writing scientific publications and proposals for effective and clear communication of research projects

1.     Introduction to Research Methodology (importance and purpose of scientific research, research approaches and interdisciplinarity)

2.     Literature review and methods of carrying it out

3.     Data collection and data analysis methods (statistical methods, statistical error determination, uncertainty analysis)

4.     Field Research Design

5.     Design of Laboratory Experiments and experimental layouts

6.     Design of computational experiments

7.     Research through Design

8.     Social and human-centered approaches to research

9.     Ethical Issues in Research and Publications

10.  Oral presentation and presentation of research projects in poster format

11.  Preparation of scientific publications: Structure and elements of publications, the art of scientific writing, preparation of figures and tables, citations, selection of journals, manuscript submission, reviewing and publication process

12.  Introduction to Machine learning and AI – The role of AI & ML in scientific research

Class lectures; power point presentations; practical speaking/writing sessions

During the first week of the semester, the Syllabus of the course is provided by the teacher, which includes information on the course content, expected learning outcomes, assessment, and office hours

Indicative Bibliography:

-          Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, 4th Edition, John W. Creswell

-          The Research Methods Knowledge Base, 3rd Edition, William M. K. Trochim, James P. Donnelly

-          Doing Your Research Project (Open Up Study Skills) 5th Edition, Judith Bell

-          The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project 2nd Edition, Zina O'Leary

-          Research Methods in Education 7th Edition, Louis Cohen, Lawrence Manion, Keith Morrison  

-          The Foundations of Social Research: Meaning and Perspective in the Research Process, Michael J Crotty  

-          Mike Ashby, How to Write a Paper, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, 6th ed., 2005. http://www-mech.eng.cam.ac.uk/mmd/ashby-paper-V6.pdf

-      Raymond Boxman, Edith Boxman, Communicating Science - A Practical Guide for Engineers and Physical Scientists, World Scientific, 2017. ISBN: 9789813144224

Lecture notes; selected articles (scientific manuscripts, review articles)

written assignments (50%)

Project presentation (50%)