VET320 Research Methodology and Writing a Thesis

• Scientific writing: principles and practical assignments.
• Scientific method: planning and design of research projects.
• Critical reading of scientific publications
• Questionnaires: planning and execution.
• Scientific literature: searching in databases and the use of reference tools.
• Data management: establishment and use of own database.
• Statistics: basic methods for description and analysis of data.

The course will provide students with practical and scientific methodological basis for a good start and implementation of a thesis at NMBU Veterinary college.

After completing the course the student should:

• Have the necessary methodological expertise to conduct a thesis at NMBU Veterinary college.

• Be able to make a good plan for the work with a thesis based on the standard protocol for NMBU Veterinary college.
• Be able to make appropriate cover letter and registration form for the completion of a questionnaire relating to own thesis, and to make a relevant database in accordance with the standard template.
• Be able to explain the main types of study design and relevant statistical methods, and know which designs and analysis methods that are appropriate in a thesis.

• Know the principles of scientific writing, have established a Word file for writing the thesis based on the default template, and use EndNote to store references and create reference lists.
• Understand the importance of critical appraisal of scientific papers, and understand how systematic and random errors can give misleading information both in published papers and in their own thesis.