79446 - Scientific Method In Horticultural Research

Learning outcomes

This course is designed to a) provide the students with tools to apply the products of the research in the horticultural sector and b) to correctly plan a research experiment and analyze to data a By the end of the course, the students will be able to: 1) understand the importance of the scientific method and its multiple-step process; 2) plan and perform simple and practical-oriented experiments in the field of horticultural research; 3) perform correctly the statistical analysis of biological observations; 4) communicate correctly the results of the scientific work.

Course contents

a) Prerequisites

Knowledge of basic mathematic is important to properly understand the subjects related to applied statistics (biometry units). Knowing the main aspects and problems related to horticulture is considered as a prerequisite to understand the case studies presented in class dealing with practical research conducted on horticultural topics.

b) Teaching units

A) Biometry (15 hours including both frontal lessons and exercises) - Prof. M. Tagliavini

1. Terminology and descriptive statistics: mean, weighed mean, mode and median; variance, standard deviation, standard error and C.V.
2. Probability: binomial and normal distributions; standard normal curve z; confidence limits; testing one sample. The t distribution curve.
3. Testing two samples: t student for independent samples and paired t-test
4. ANOVA for single factor experiments
   Completely randomized design and Randomized complete block design; randomization and layoutand analysis of variance
5. ANOVA for factorial experiments
   Interaction between factors; Complete block design; randomization and layoutand analysis of variance
6. Regression and correlation analysis: linear and non-linear relationship; simple and multiple regression.

B) Application of the scientific method in horticultural studies (15 hours including both frontal lessons and exercises) - Prof. C. Andreotti

1. Introduction to the scientific method;

2. Gathering information: the literature review and the bibliographic tools;

3. Application of the research methods in horticultural research: case studies from open field/orchard and greenhouse conditions;

4. Communication of the results. How to present data: types of charts/tables and their use. Results description and discussion. Draw conclusions coherent with the results, focusing on the original scientific hypothesis

Readings/Bibliography

Handouts and copies of the presentations.

Papers on selected case studies focusing on specific experiments in the field of horticulture

Biometry parts 1-3 in Hoshmand. Statistical methods for environmental and Agricultural research. CRC press 1998.

Biometry parts 4-6 in Gomez and Gomez. Statistical procedures for agricultural research Wiley. 1984.

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures make up for app. 2/3 of the time allotted to this course. The remainder time is made up of practical exercises performed in the computer room. Students need to bring portable scientific calculator and an arithmetic notebook with squared pages.

Assessment methods

Written test composed by with statistical exercises (biometric part) and questions on the main aspects dealing with the application of the scientific method in horticultural research.

Teaching tools

Frontal lessons using ppt presentations. Use of the computer room for the exercises dealing with the statistical analysis of data, literature research and results presentation

Office hours

See the website of Massimo Tagliavini

See the website of Carlo Andreotti