Final Year Project

At the end of the course, the students should be able to: 1. demonstrate an ability to work independently or as part of a group/team as required (research group, for example) to address a particular scientific question or topic; 2. search for and critically review the literature in a particular field and relate their own research to that in the existing literature; 3. develop critical and creative thinking skills (develop ideas, data analysis and evaluation skills, be able to form judgements); 4. display experience in the scientific method and develop problem solving skills; for example, how to design experiments or develop strategies to test hypotheses and/or evaluate the output; 5. develop communication skills; 6. write a scientific reviews and project reports (or equivalent); 7. develop oral presentation skills (tutorial talk); and 8. liaise with supervisor, other staff and students, as appropriate.

Introduction to methods and techniques of research. Topics include basic terminology of research, qualitative and quantitative methods, basic research designs, and data analysis techniques. Other topics are problem development, literature review, data analysis techniques and interpretation, institutional review boards, and communicating results. Application of knowledge and skills acquired in research methods, statistics and evaluation in identifying and proffering solutions to problems, working independently under the guidance of a project supervisor. Students will undertake research projects on simple problems in areas of their interest and guided by their supervisors. In addition to experimental work, students will be required to learn how to search and compile literature review, collect, arrange and present bibliography. Planning and execution of a well-conceptualized research and presenting a written report on the study conducted.