DEGREE PROGRAMS  Associate's Degree (Short Cycle)  Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)  Master’s Degree (Second Cycle)

Course Description Course Name : Research Methods in Soil Science Course Code : TBB-549 Course Type : Optional Level of Course : Second Cycle Year of Study : 1 Course Semester : Fall (16 Weeks) ECTS : 5 Name of Lecturer(s) : Prof.Dr. İBRAHİM ORTAŞ Learning Outcomes of the Course : Understands the basic rational behind a scientific research Defines the types of scientific research methods (experimental, practical, etc.) Can plan a scientific research, knows how to make a thesis proposal Realizes the importance of materials and methods and the importance of methodology Understands the ethical principles of scientific research and publications Can analyze research data, interpret and write an article, use EndNote software program Mode of Delivery : Face-to-Face Prerequisites and Co-Prerequisites : None Recommended Optional Programme Components : None Aim(s) of Course : To guide the students for the selection of research topics in soil science, determination of the research objective, literature review, monitoring and data collection, statistical processing and analysis, presentation of findings, discussion, review, and report or thesis writing techniques. And to equip the student with certain skills and abilities to analyze a topic, make a research plan, implement the project and present and/or write a scientific article is the main objective of the course. Course Contents : The importance of developing a hypothesis in scientific studies, literature review, the principals and procedures with the project proposals, data analysis, presentation of the outcome, discussion, interpretation and the techniques of article/thesis writing. Language of Instruction : Turkish Work Place : Classes   Course Outline /Schedule (Weekly) Planned Learning Activities Week Subject Student's Preliminary Work Learning Activities and Teaching Methods 1 What are the basic principles of science None Powerpoint presentation, case study, assignments 2 History of scientific research None Powerpoint presentation, case study, assignments 3 The types of scientific research methods (experimental, practical, etc.) None Powerpoint presentation, case study, assignments 4 Identifying the subject of scientific research and setting up a hypothesis, planning a research proposal None Powerpoint presentation, case study, assignments 5 Identification and understanding of scientific research methodologies. None Powerpoint presentation, case study, assignments 6 Principles of inductive and deductive approaches None Powerpoint presentation, case study, assignments 7 Understanding the ethical principles of scientific research and publications None Powerpoint presentation, case study, assignments 8 MIDTERM EXAM 9 Literature review and evaluation None Powerpoint presentation, case study, assignments 10 The importance of materials and methods. Why methodology is important None Powerpoint presentation, case study, assignments 11 Setting up the research and conclusion None Powerpoint presentation, case study, assignments 12 Statistical analysis of the data (SAS statistical software) None Powerpoint presentation, case study, assignments 13 Writing outcomes and thesis writing None Powerpoint presentation, case study, assignments 14 Understanding of the basic rules of writing a scientific paper, the use of EndNote program None Powerpoint presentation, case study, assignments 15 The techniques of data presentation how to give a seminar. None Powerpoint presentation, case study, assignments 16/17 FINAL EXAM   Required Course Resources Resource Type Resource Name Recommended Course Material(s)    Robet A. Day.2005. How to write a scientific article, How to publish? TUBITAK publications Kate Turabian. 1996. A manual for Writers. Required Course Material(s)   Assessment Methods and Assessment Criteria Semester/Year Assessments Number Contribution Percentage     Mid-term Exams (Written, Oral, etc.) 1 80     Homeworks/Projects/Others 2 20 Total 100 Rate of Semester/Year Assessments to Success 40   Final Assessments 100 Rate of Final Assessments to Success 60 Total 100   Contribution of the Course to Key Learning Outcomes # Key Learning Outcome Contribution* 1 Recognising the principles of ecological farming in terms of sustainable and ecological farming, contributes to the practical use. 0 2 Based on the BSc adequacy, improves in Soil Science and Plant Nutrition at specialist level 1 3 Understands the interactions between Soil Science and Plant Nutrition and other disciplines 2 4 Has abilities to develop and apply new ideas by identifying the taxonomic level of soils according to natural and technical classification systems and provides sustainable uses of soils using theoretical and applied knowledge in this branch and applies them to other engineering branches. 1 5 Gain perfection and prepare projects in every kinds of soil, plant, fertilizer and water analyses and their interpretations 1 6 Increases his/her qualification to develop new techniques and ideas for plant nutrients necessary for healthy, high quality and economical plant production and to apply these techniques and ideas in practice. 2 7 Applies his/her knowledge on conservation of soils, protection against each kind of misuse and pollution by recognising the relations between other disciplines. 1 8 To analyse soils, their components or actual processes, to plan them to accomplish the requirements of sustainable agriculture principles by adding information from other branches, plans/applies a new research project which might solve an existing project or makes judgements with existing information 1 9 Has skills to prepare and apply a project including other disciplines and can retrieve information to solve the problems in nutrition of plants grown in every kinds of soil or soilless growth medium 1 10 Creates new projects to use and to develop new technologies, methods and measuring systems in Soil Science and Plant Nutrition discipline, under the scope of scientific, economic and rational uses of agricultural areas 4 11 Conducts a project working effectively as an individual and as a team member to solve problems related to the discipline. 3 12 Identifies the possible and future problems in relation to his/her professional area and takes responsibility to solve them by developing new strategies 2 13 Is able to get access to knowledge searching literature, databases and using other sources effectively. 5 14 Makes a critical evaluation of information retaled to the field and conducts advanced studies independently. 5 15 Transfers the current developments and their own studies to people who may need them by using different tools. 5 16 Analyzes the social relations and the norms directing these relations in a critical way and takes resposibility to improve them. 5 17 Can communicate in English written and orally. 5 18 Develops strategies, policies and application plans in the field and assess the obtained results under the scope of quality processes. 3 19 Is sensitive about scientific and ethical values during the collection, interpretion and announcement of data related to their subject. Is also capable of teaching and checking them. 5 20 Is able to transfer the information and skills to solve a problem in the field to interdisciplinary studies. 4 * Contribution levels are between 0 (not) and 5 (maximum).   Student Workload - ECTS Works Number Time (Hour) Total Workload (Hour) Course Related Works     Class Time (Exam weeks are excluded) 14 4 56     Out of Class Study (Preliminary Work, Practice) 14 2 28 Assesment Related Works     Homeworks, Projects, Others 2 6 12     Mid-term Exams (Written, Oral, etc.) 1 5 5     Final Exam 1 15 15 Total Workload: 116 Total Workload / 25 (h): 4.64 ECTS Credit: 5