Download pdf - Research Methodology Communication [realizare PPT]

8/9/2019 Research Methodology Communication [realizare PPT]

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/research-methodology-communication-realizare-ppt 1/139

07/21/10

Research Reporting

Oswald Van CleemputFaculty of Bioscience Engineering

Ghent University

[email protected]

http://www.isofys.UGent.be

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



07/21/10

Research reportingContent

1. Introduction2. General information3. Writing structure4. A good paper ?

5. Poster6. (Literature) review7. Abstract8. Group Communication

9. General suggestions for presentations10. Proposal11. Nice to cite ...12. Suggested readings







07/21/10

To Be Read/To Be Heard/To

Be Seen• Know the target public

• Proper channel

journal/bulletin/audience

•Proper language



07/21/10

Research marketting

• Communication …. Is an essential partof working in the field of sciences, in

the industry, in conditions of anytransfer of knowledge….

• It is vital for science to progress

• It is vital for your own career



07/21/10

Research marketting

Communication of science is asimportant to the scientific process as

the design and conduct of theexperiment itself !!!!!!!!!



07/21/10

Communication avenuesResearch

communications o research journalso research reviewso conference papers

o theseso book chapterso annual reportso newsletters

o project proposalso lectureso leafletso posters

Extension and popular communications

o extension manualso newspaper reportso magazine articles

o radio broadcastso films and videoo audiovisual showso practical

demonstrationso cartoonso photographs



07/21/10

Written

Verbal



07/21/10

Types of written Communications

Example o Transmittal ofdocument

o Annual summary

o Recommendationo Instrumentation

o Exercise/duties

o Summary for leyaudience

o Journal article

Document o Memo

o Reporto Lettero Manualo Description

o Popular article

o Scientific paper



07/21/10

Scientific versus popular science writing

Scientific paper Popular science article

Different target group

Different organization

Different language, layout

New knowledge Enables others to repeat Logical and clear IMRAD

Technical terms Tables, figures References

Knowledge review Arouse interest Teach:Influence the reader

Illustrations as tool to read

and understand

Examples



07/21/10

Scientific versuspopular science writing

The same topic: presentation differentlydifferent audience

New research: written formoral presentationposter

Written conference paper: same rulesno peer review



07/21/10

Scientific versuspopular science writing

Written conference paper: same rulesno peer review

New research results: scientific journal

standard way: IMRADpeer review

New research results: communication to publicaudiences (popular science publishing,presentations)



07/21/10

Writing popular science

• Write at the level of the readers’ previousknowlege and experience

• Not many details

• Information is put in context• ABC: accurate, brief, clear• Simplify results; no details: e.g. only means, no

S.D or R2

• Minimize materials and methods• Pay attention to attractive title, preamble,

headings, visuals, layout



07/21/10

Gunning Fog Index

- A test designed to measure the readabilityA test designed to measure the readability

of a sample of English writing (R. Gunning,of a sample of English writing (R. Gunning,

1952)1952)

- Texts for a wide audience generally requireTexts for a wide audience generally require

a Fog Index of less than 12; the ‘ideal’ Foga Fog Index of less than 12; the ‘ideal’ Fog

index is 7 or 8index is 7 or 8



07/21/10

Gunning Fog IndexHow to calculateHow to calculate ??

- Count the number of wordsCount the number of words- Count the number of sentencesCount the number of sentences- Count the number of big words (3 or moreCount the number of big words (3 or more

syllables)syllables)- Calculate average sentence lengthCalculate average sentence length

(words/sentences)(words/sentences)- Calculate the percentage of big words (big words/Calculate the percentage of big words (big words/

words)words)- Add the avg sentence length to % big wordsAdd the avg sentence length to % big words- Multiply by 0.4Multiply by 0.4

FOG INDEXFOG INDEX



07/21/10

Gunning Fog Index

Worldwide, grasslands cover about 3500 million hectares, more than theWorldwide, grasslands cover about 3500 million hectares, more than the

double of arable land. On the European continent it is the opposite : onlydouble of arable land. On the European continent it is the opposite : only

180 million ha of grassland for 300 million ha of arable land. Grasslands180 million ha of grassland for 300 million ha of arable land. Grasslands

have first of all a pure agricultural destination. They serve as primaryhave first of all a pure agricultural destination. They serve as primary

food for wild herbivores and domesticated ruminants. Now, grasslands,food for wild herbivores and domesticated ruminants. Now, grasslands,

being a mixture of different grass species, legumes and herbs, act asbeing a mixture of different grass species, legumes and herbs, act ascarbon sinks, erosion preventives, birds directive areas, habitat for smallcarbon sinks, erosion preventives, birds directive areas, habitat for small

animals, nitrogen fixation source, etc…In this situation grasslands are inanimals, nitrogen fixation source, etc…In this situation grasslands are in

perfect harmony and in balance with the environment. Since mankind,perfect harmony and in balance with the environment. Since mankind,

human activities have influenced grassland management. The mosthuman activities have influenced grassland management. The most

important are breeding activities since the early thirties. Improvement of important are breeding activities since the early thirties. Improvement of yield and quality was not only in favour of agriculture, but also a lot of yield and quality was not only in favour of agriculture, but also a lot of

grass species were bred for amenity purposes, parks and sport fieldsgrass species were bred for amenity purposes, parks and sport fields..



07/21/10

Gunning Fog Index

The number of wordsThe number of words 144144The number of sentencesThe number of sentences 99Big words (3 or more syllables)Big words (3 or more syllables) 4141

Average sentence length (words/sentences)Average sentence length (words/sentences) 1616Percentage of big words (big words/words)Percentage of big words (big words/words) 28,47%28,47%Avg sentence length + % big wordsAvg sentence length + % big words 16 + 2816 + 28Multiply by 0.4Multiply by 0.4

(16 + 28) x 0.4 = 18(16 + 28) x 0.4 = 18



07/21/10

Research without marketting

• Bar without beer

• river without water

• zoo without animals

•meeting without people



07/21/10

General information



07/21/10

The research processQuestion

What is known ?

Formulate problem

Hypothesis

Project planExperimentCollect data

New knowledge

Interpretation,conclusion

Analyse, Results

Inform others



07/21/10

• Inviting people fordinner

• Decide what to offer

• Shopping list and buy

• Prepare food; followrecipe

• Serve attractively

• Doing research

• Research plan; objectives

• Gathering data

• Analyse data

• Communicate attractively



07/21/10

Science communication

• New knowledge• Summary of present state of knowledge (state-of-the-

art)

Delivery aspect • Accurate and Audience-adapted• Brief• Clear

Receiving aspect • Know the frames of reference of the acceptor• Adapting to the audience



07/21/10

Science communication

Effective communicationWho ?

specialists in your field, wider group, fellow students, public

Why ? not just for merits, to add to the knowledge pool, to teach,to inform, to persuade, to push for development

What ? take-home messages, new items, review of topic, take into

account prior knowledge, expectations, questions, technicallanguage

How ? to satisfy the audience’s needs, how will your information be

used



07/21/10

Kinds of scientific communication

ReportsJournal articlesProposalsTheses

AbstractsSpeeches or slide presentationsPoster presentations

BooksChaptersReview papersGroup communications



07/21/10


Reports

Catch-all term; includes everything from a laboratoryaccount of a simple experiment to progress report andgroup reports on entire research programmes

Master studies / Ph.D. studies Thesis proposal, thesis or dissertation

Scientists Grant proposal, journal article, abstract, slidepresentation, poster



07/21/10


Common characteristics simplicityprecisionclarity

always honestyImportant advice

don’t let technology dictate what constitutes good communication

don’t accept graphs which are to complex technology should not dilute clarity study first good communication and then make the software work for you



07/21/10

General rules for Technicaland Scientific Writing

• If it can be interpreted in more than one way,it’s wrong

• Know your audience, know your subject, know your purpose

• If you cannot think of a reason to put a

comma in, leave it out• Keep your writing clear, concise and correct



07/21/10

Getting started in writing

• Analyse your aims and audience

• Make tables and graphs

• Decide what messages to communicate

• Make an outline

• Write a draft – start with the easiest part

• Revise and edit

• Think of the questions: Who-Why-What-How



07/21/10

Structure the text

• Examples of structure– Chronological order (development over

time)

– Order of interest/importance (mostimportant first)

– Cause and effect (or the opposite)

– Comparison/contrast



07/21/10

Writing structure



07/21/10

Construction of papers

Component Conference Journal

Opening sentence

Introduction

Methods and results

DiscussionClosing sentence

Sentence to make animpact

40% of total (time)

40% of total (time)

20% of total (time)Clear resumé or main

point

None

5-10% of total (space)

40-60% of total (space)

30-60% of total (space)None

Structure



07/21/10

Construction of papers

Component Conference JournalIdeas

Repetition

LengthAccessory material

Humour

Style

References

Acknowledgement

One very 3 minutes

Highly desirable

To finish just before timeSlides, memory stick

Desirable, not essential

Conversational, simpleThe least possible

The least possible

No limit

Very little

As short as possibleOnly relevant tables,

figures

Undesirable

Formal, simpleRequired number for

sound arguments

Brief, but adequate

Subject matter

Th h



07/21/10

The research processQuestion

What is known ?

Formulate problem

Hypothesis

Project planExperimentCollect data

New knowledge

Interpretation,conclusion

Analyse, Results

Scientific paper

I n t r o d u

c t i o n

Results

Discuss i

on

Conclus i

on

Materials and

Methods

Inform others



07/21/10

Make an outline

• Structured order of headings andsubheadings – with keywords – chart

• A working outline – a tool to help

• Discuss your outline with others (co-author, supervisor, colleague ...)



07/21/10

IMRAD

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Results and

Discussion



07/21/10

A good title

o Informative: describe the subjecto Specific: differentiate your research from otherresearch

o Concise: say only what is necessary (key-word index !!)o ‘Two-part’ title

o New technologies for constructions: A novel approacho Technologies for constructions: A review

o No numbers (I, II, III …. 1, 2, 3 …)



07/21/10

A good title

Avoid

o Observations of ...o Studies of ...o Investigations ...

o Examinations of ...o A note on ....

Examples o Effects of ...o Influence of ...o Estimation of ...o Prediction of ...o Impact of ...o Modelling of ...o Evidence of ...o Control of ...o Measurement of ...

o Use of ...



07/21/10

Abstract

See further



07/21/10

Introduction

• Motivate and justify the research

• Give a state-of-the-art– Summarize relevant literature

• State what has NOT been done– Where is the gap in the literature

• State the objectives or hypothesis– What’s the point of this research ?



07/21/10

Introduction

Motivation and justification

Objectives

Gap



07/21/10

Materials and methods

• Give a clear, complete description of allmethods used (biological, chemical,analytical, statistical ….)

– Organize the methods logically, by tasks– Use specific and informative language

• Include enough information, but not

more than necessary, so that theresearch can be repeated



07/21/10

Results

• Summarise and illustrate the findingslogically with tables and figures

• Figures & Tables: see other course



07/21/10

Results

• Do not repeat data from the tables or figuresin the text

– Mean yield for cultivar A is X and meanweight for cultivar B is Y

• Do integrate data with the text

– Mean yield of cultivar A was higher thanmean yield of cultivar B

• Do not interpret the data or draw conclusionsin the ‘results’ section



07/21/10

Discussion

• Interpret results– Mean yield of cultivar A was higher than mean

yield of cultivar B, which means that…, which isconsistent with …, which suggests that …

• Support your conclusions with comparisonsand contrasts from the literature

• Recognize importance of ‘negative’ results

• Describe limitations of your research



07/21/10

Conclusions or Implementations

• Explain the main results of the researchin terms of the objectives

• Describe what the results mean for therespective discipline

• Give implications in nonjargon language



07/21/10

Conclusions or Implementations

Objectives and approach

Conclusions and impact



07/21/10

Acknowledgements

• General acknowledgement– Institution, research project, source of funds

• Specific acknowledgement– Colleagues or technicians

– Reviewer

• Dedication



07/21/10

References in the text

• Follow the instructions of the journal (seewebsite)– Name (year) or (Name, year) or Name (number) or

(Name, number)

• Check carefully– All references in the text are listed

– All references listed are in the text



07/21/10

Appendix

Provides supplemental material

numerical examples

details of analytical proceduresnovel computer programmes

mathematical proofs



07/21/10

A good paper ?



07/21/10

Twelve steps to develop aneffective first draft of

your manuscript

Summary Summary

http://www.sfedit.nethttp://www.sfedit.net

A ff i fi d f (1)



07/21/10

An effective first draft (1)

• Consolidate all the information– Have all data, references, drafts of

tables, figures

• Target a journal– Look for the focus of the targeted journal

• Start writing– Don’t worry for incomplete sentences,

incorrect grammar, have no distractions,main points and ideas should be captured,have a plan

A ff ti fi t d ft (2)



07/21/10


• Write quickly– Keep going, leave gaps, space, if necessary

• Write in your own voice– Helps to say what you mean more precisely

• Write without editing– Only at the end, wasted time

• Keep the plan of your outline

• Write the paper in parts– Treat each section as a mini essay




07/21/10


• Put the first draft aside

– At least one day; then you are another person; aday or more between creation and critique helps

• Revise it– Do it several times till no more improvement

– Does each sentence make sense?

– In longer sentences: keep track of the samesubject

– In longer paragraphs: one single idea or break itup




07/21/10


• Revise for clarity and brevity– Look for clearness per sentence and

paragraph; most sentences have about 15-20 words; most paragraphs 150 words; avoid

necessary words• Be consistent

– Different co-authors: no different style; be

consistent; first author does the finalediting



07/21/10

A good paper ???

• The attractiveness of the title cannotbe overemphasised

• Formulate a good hypothesis: there

must be a reason for your doing !

The primary aim of writing a paper isto have it read

A d p p ???



07/21/10

A good paper ???Make your writing easier to read

• Use accurate, appropriate, familiar words• Simple words:

– Utilize use→

– Commence begin→– finalize finish→

– approximately about→

• Avoid jargon

• Avoid passive verbs; use active verbs– Houses were constructed by people from Limburg– People from Limburg constructed houses

A d paper ???



07/21/10


• Use strong verbs– We performed an analysis of the data– We analyzed the data

• Tighten your writing (eliminate redundant words)

– The prior literature– 10 out of 12– During the course of the experiment– Already existing

– Different alternatives– Completely eliminate– Repeat again

A good paper ???



07/21/10


• Tighten your writing (eliminate waste words)

– Words that say nothing

• It is interesting to note that ...

• It should be pointed out that ...

• It is significant that ...

• In the presence of ...

• Substitution of sentences by a word– Due to the fact that .....because

– Prior to the start of ..... before

– On a regular basis .... regularly

– A second point is .... secondly

– Would seem to suggest .... suggests

A good paper ???



07/21/10


• Substitution of sentences by a word– Despite the fact that ....although

– In the event that .... if

– In close agreement with .... agrees with– It seems likely that ... likely

– The majority of ... Most

• Use “to” in stead of “-ing”– Regression was used for analysing the data– Regression was used to analyse the data

A good paper ???



07/21/10

A good paper ???Checklist for editing

1. Has your draft paper been read andcritisized by a colleague in your/other field,a person fluent in English ?

2. Did you select the proper journal and did youcopy the instructions to authors ?

3. Using the format of (2); did you check the

references (list and text)4. Did you revise the manuscript ? Title,summary, headings, etc...

A good paper ???



07/21/10

A good paper ???Checklist for editing

5. Recheck your references; see originalreference; agreement between list and

text6. Proof-read the final manuscript for:– Omissions from the original text– Typing errors, spelling, formulae, tables,

graphs, numbering

A good paper ???



07/21/10

A good paper ???Next step

• Editor checks the paper with the scopeof the journal

• Send it to (usually) two referees(scientific merit)

• ...acceptable; acceptable with

corrections; non-acceptable

Review process



07/21/10

Review process

Research ↓

manuscript

Referee 1 Referee 2

Chief- editor ↓

Author ↓

Chief-editor

↓

Journal → Proof reading → article

• accept as it is- minor revisions- major revisions

- reject

Under review

accepted

In press published



07/21/10

Poster Presentation

When a poster or a presentation ?



07/21/10


• Presentation

• Time restrictions

• Limited time fordiscussion

• Varied audience

• Difficult to keepattention

• Many distractions

• Poster

• Time for discussion

• Specific audiencewith high level ofinterest

• Personal contact• Use as display

The situation

When a p ster r a presentati n ?



07/21/10


• Presentation

• More formal; contact oneto many

• Speaker standing;audience sitting

• Moderator helps tointroduce, buffer the

audience, keep time

• Poster

• More formal; contactone to few

• Both speaker andaudience standing

• No moderator, directcontact, no buffer

The situation



07/21/10


• Poster

• Materials: poster, tape…

• Know your subject• Prepare answers to

likely questions

• Get ready early;

construct poster,review and revise

• Presentation

• Materials: slides, disc,memory stick

• Know your subject• Prepare formal speech,

slides …

• Get ready early;

practice, review andrevise

Preparation



07/21/10


• Presentation• Time limit formalized

• Audience morecaptured

• Declamation, shortquestions

• Handouts possible; lesslikely to exchange

addresses

• Poster• Time limit flexible

• Audience is free

• Chieflyquestion/answer

• Handouts helpful,easy to exchangeaddresses



07/21/10

Your audience ?

• Those who work in the same area andwho are familiar with your work

• Those who work in a similar area

• Those who work in a different area



07/21/10

You as presenter



07/21/10

You as presenter

Do

• Know your subject

• Nice appearance

• Be friendly• Be PROFESSIONAL

• Display your photo

• Have business cards• Hand carry poster

Don’t

• Be distracted

• Be discouraged by

lack of audience• Forget pins, tape …

• Leave your poster

• Ship your poster



07/21/10

ABC of Poster presentation

AudienceBriefClearDevotedEnthousiastic



07/21/10

(Literature) review

(Literature) review



07/21/10

(Literature) review

•Characteristics of a review: work from several sourcesis reported, rather than from one experiment orresearch programme•Common in journals and conference proceedings, inuniversity training

•In shorter form in Introduction of a paper•In longer form in thesis

•Important requirement: critical: compare and contrast

published findings

•Brings data together: leads to new knowledge; identifiesgaps in knowledge

(Literature) review



07/21/10

(Literature) review

Content: • Introduction: what you are reviewing and why• Various subsections: separate the body into

themes or topics, put in a logic order• (Discussion)• Conclusions: see scientific paper• References: see scientific paper



07/21/10

Abstract

b / d d b



07/21/10

Abstract/extended abstract

• Is almost any brief account of a longerdocument

• Informative abstract/descriptive

abstract• Abstract of a scientific paper is well

structured

• Extended abstract is much shorter thana full paper

Ab / d d b



07/21/10


• Descriptive abstract – Describes the content, needs to be

accompanied by the document

– Is helpful for the reader to decide to readthe entire paper

– Contains too little information and detailthat refereed journals expect

Ab / d d b



07/21/10


• Informative abstract (like in paper) – It shows the reader very quickly whether

the full report is valuable for further study

– To be extracted from the full paper forseparate publication

– To furnish terminology to help literaturesearch

Ab / d d b



07/21/10


• Informative abstract – Short, concise, but completely self-explanatory, often

submitted on beforehand

– Includes:

• Research objectives, rationale for conducting the research

• The basic methods used• The results and significant conclusions that can be drawn

• No literature review or discussion; no visuals

• 200 – 250 words; 3 – 5% of text: one paragraph

Ab t t/ t d d b t t



07/21/10


o Start with motivation or justification

o State the objective, aim, purpose

o Summarise essential methodso Summarise important results

o End with important conclusions and impact



07/21/10

THE BEST WAY TOLEARN SCIENCE IS TO

WRITE SCIENCE

Janssen, Denmark



07/21/10

Group Communication

G C i ti



07/21/10

Group Communications

Round-table discussionBoard or committee meetingStanding committeeAd hoc committee

Task force

Decision making involves alternativesProblem solving no obvious alternatives

brainstorming

G C i ti



07/21/10


Group communications with no audienceto make plans for research projectsto decide policyto evaluate a fellow employee’s progress

G C i ti



07/21/10


Procedure for group problem solvingthe problem is clearly defined; objectives areset forth and understood by all members

members of the group plan their individual and

collective actions. They may devide responsibilities forgathering information and offering optionsAs individuals and as a group they devise a plan

of actionThey act on the plan and analyse outcomesThey evaluate the results of their actions and

determine whether the solution was acceptable

G C i ti



07/21/10


Group communication with an audiencePanel discussionSymposiumForum

G C i ti



07/21/10


•Set a specific goal, but keep plans simple•Start on time ! End on time !. Each issue anappropriate time•Every participant should know the format and what

goal is pursued•Think individual•Work toward the prescribed goal, summarize alongthe way, and avoid digressions•Maintain a professional attitude•Sustain equitable participation•The physical situation should be comfortable foreveryone and conducive to good communication



07/21/10

General suggestions for

presentations

P s nt ti ns



07/21/10

Presentations

• How to communicate ?

• Composition of the slides• Tips and tricks

Pr s nt ti ns



07/21/10

Presentations

What is important in a presentation ?

– Words– Voice

– Body language

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations

• The most important = NON verbal

Words 7%

Voice 38%

Body 55%

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations

Structure the presentation

• scenario

• sequence of data, idea

• presentation

Preparation !

presentation 20%

preparation 80%

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations

Composition of the slides

1 6 6

1 idea per slide6 words per line

6 lines per slide

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations


• 166• Simple

• Clear

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations


First visual effect

Text comes afterwards

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations


First visual effect

Text comes afterwards

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations


% influence of the five senses:

seeing

hearing

touching

tasting

smelling

Seeing 73%Hearing 11%Touching 7%

Tasting 4%Smelling 3%

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations


Style ‘telegram’

Simple words, short sentences

Rounded figures

Light page layout

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations


Sober background

Bring the essential items

Explain visual items

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations

Reading direction

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations


Finish a slide with strength

You are the best

You are the best

You are the best

You are the best

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations


Text

Let it appear ….

…..line by line

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations


Letter type:- as homogeneous as possible- lower case better than caps- max. 1 or 2 letter types (no salad)

- max. 3 sizes of letters (min. 22 p.)

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations


Character choise:

- i talic to indicate a difference - bold or underlined to indicate the importance

- put enough distance between sentences- avoid too much centering (sow effect)- no continuous text with capitals

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations


Use of colours

Pay attention to contrastbackground/text

Colour Color Colour

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations


General suggestion:

- Keep enough white and empty space

- The presentation should …. breathe

- Provide animation…but don’t make the audience

dizzy

Presentations



07/21/10

Presentations

Conclusion ?

KISS



07/21/10

The proposal

The proposal



07/21/10

The proposal

• Types– research proposal

– grant proposal

• Distinction:- different audience

- different purposes

- different guidelines

The grant proposal



07/21/10

The grant proposal

• Be sure you are ready to write– The idea must be good and must fit what the

funding agency wants (see colleagues)

• Proposal must be scientifically sound – study thetopic

• Outline a plan and review it carefully

• Consider what personnel, money, equipment, time

is needed and how it fits into the rest of yourwork load

The grant proposal



07/21/10

The grant proposal

Prepare for questions and answers related to: 1. Originality and scientific merit or benefit to the

grantor2. Importance to the discipline or the immediate

problem3. Feasibility4. Rationale and methodology5. Ability and experience of the investigators

6. Budget, facilities, and time required7. Appearance and adherence to guidelines

The grant proposal



07/21/10

The grant proposal

Almost any proposal contains the following: 1. Title page and executive summary2. Purpose or hypothesis and specific objectives3. Justification4. Review of work done or being done (literature)5. Materials and methods6. Discussion of possible outcomes (conclusions)7. References8. Time frame, budget, biography of the investigator(s)

The grant proposal



07/21/10

The grant proposal

Justification is based on: 1. Reason and logic2. Preliminary research

3. Scientific principles4. Previous research (literature)5. Feasibility of methods

6. Use of or benefit from the results

The grant proposal



07/21/10

The grant proposal

Additional considerations

Many proposals are rejected

Reduce your frustration by recognizing thebeneficial side effects:

writing skills, knowledge on thesubject, literature, colleagues,resubmission

The written research proposal



07/21/10

The written research proposal

• Helps to plan the work in advance

• To review what is done

• To foresee the pitfalls ahead of you

• To remain on the right track (objectives –goals)

• Can serve as ‘draft’ for thesis or papers

Project Cycle Management (PCM)



07/21/10


- Problem tree- Objective tree- Logic framework matrix

- Indicative operational plan- Detailed budget

Project Cycle Management (PCM)Problem tree



07/21/10

Food insecurity

Low animal

production

Low income Post harvest

losses

Low nutritional

quality

Low crop

production

Poor organisation of

the agricultural sector

Insufficientfodder

Diseases

Theft

Low product

prices

High transport

costs

Lack of marketinformation

Unfair price

setting

Pests and

diseases

Low-tolerance

germplasm

Low soil

fertility

Lack of phyto -sanitary inputs

Low crop

diversity

Poor nutri -

tional habits

Inadequate

agronomy

Low yielding

germplasm

Unfavourable

climate

Inherently poor

soils

Little externalinputs

Excess nutrient

mining

Non-adapted

technologies

Lack of farmer

knowledge

Insufficient

research

Insufficientcapacity

Lack of

infrastructure

Lack of opera -

tional funds

Problem tree

Project Cycle Management (PCM)objective tree



07/21/10

objective tree

Improved food insecurity

Improvedanimalproduction

Improved income Lesspost harvestlosses

Improved nutritionalquality

Improved cropproduction

Appropriateorganisation of the agricultural sector

Sufficientfodder

Lessdiseases

Theft

Higher productprices

High transportcosts

Good marketinformation

More fair pricesetting

Less pests/diseases

Tolerantgermplasm

Better soilfertility

Lack of phyto -sanitary inputs

Greater cropdiversity

Better nutri -tional habits

Goodagronomy

Improvedgermplasm

Unfavourableclimate

Inherently poor soils

Minimal use of inputs

Excess nutrientmining

Adaptedtechnologies

Good farmer knowledge

Relevantresearch

Sufficient

capacity

Improvedinfrastructure

Opera -tional funds

IR 2.

IR 3.

IR 4.

IR 5.

VLIR

invests

in the

project

IR 1.




07/21/10


Projectdescription

Overal

objectives

Objectively

verifiable

indicators

Sources of

verification

Assumptions and

preconditions

Specific

objectives

" " "

Intermediate

Results

" " "

Activities Means Costs "

logical framework matrix



07/21/10

A B C D

PROJECT DESCRIPTIONINTERVENTION LOGIC

OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE INDICATORS (OVIs) SOURCES OFVERIFICATION

(SOV)

ASSUMPTIONSAND PRE

CONDITIONS

1 Overall objectives (if both are applicable)(OO) To improve food security and humannutrition of rural populations in the twoprovinces while sustaining the naturalresource bases (Developmental ). To strengthen human and equipmentcapital through training and servicesprovided by the project ( Academic).

•By 2015, Millenium Development Goal assessments show positive

trends for the indicators related to rural livelihoods in the target areas. •By December 2010, at least 2 researchers at the partnerinstitute, trained in the framework of the current project, aretaking up leading roles in projects on soil fertility managementand writing proposals on ISFM to get extra funding.

•National, provincial,and district-levelstatistics.•Poverty assessment

reports. •Draft projectproposals written bynational partners.

•Political stability.

2 Specific objectives (if both are applicable)(SO)Developmental:1. To arrest resource degradation andenhance food security and human nutritionthrough widespread adoption of sustainableresource management technologies forcassava-based systems based on improvedvarieties and system diversification. Academic:2. To build local stakeholders’ capacity toapply and disseminate improved

agricultural technologies with a specialfocus on strengthening research-for-development capacity at the targetuniversities through degree-related trainingand improved laboratory capacity.

•By December 2005, universities, international scientists, NGOpartners, and farmers are planning and working together on theimplementation of the project.•By December 2007, extension services and NGO’s dealing withagricultural development and working in the target areas areaware of the ISFM interventions developed in the framework of this project and disseminating them to other areas not initiallytargeted.•By 2010, at least 20% farmers in targeted villages useimproved proven ISFM technologies that arrest resourcedegradation and enhance their food security and nutrition.

•Annual IARC andNARS, and NGOreports.•Newspaper articles•Peer-reviewed journal articles.•Quarterly report toVLIR.

•Linkagesmaintained amongresearch anddevelopmentorganizations.•Economic policiesprovide incentivesfor sociallyprofitableagriculturaldiversification andresource

conservation.•Effective systemsfor technologydissemination anddemonstration.•Sufficientavailability of appropriate•Sufficient regionalscientific staff capacity.




07/21/10

PROJECT DESCRIPTIONINTERVENTION LOGIC

OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE INDICATORS (OVIs) SOURCES OFVERIFICATION

(SOV)

ASSUMPTIONSAND PRE

CONDITIONS

3 Intermediate results (ideally 3to 7 results)1. Farming system domainsidentified and characterized fordeveloping ISFM options for cassava-based systems (Characterization)(Research-Capacity-Extension).2. New knowledge obtained on soilprocesses (e.g., restoration of depleted soils, improved nutrient useefficiency) for the efficient design of management practices that enhance

soil productivity in cassava-basedsystems (New knowledge).(Research-Capacity)3. Appropriate field managementpractices based on ISFM for cassava-based systems developed and testedon farmers’ fields (Management practices). (Capacity-Extension)4. ISFM technologies for cassava-based systems validated andadapted on farm in benchmark areas( Adaptation and adoption).

(Extension-Capacity)5. Capability of NARS to undertakeISFM research for developmentenhanced (Capacity building).(Capacity)

1.1. By the end of 2005, at least two target villages in each of the twoprovinces are identified and bio-physically (soils, nutrient balances, etc)and socio-economically (farmers’ resource endowments, access tomarkets, etc) characterized.2.1. By the end of 2006, the potential role of at least two selectedlegumes to enhance the productivity of cassava-based systems isunravelled and their contributions quantified both at the biophysical andsocio-economic level.2.2. Throughout the project life, strategic research issues are addressed,based on questions identified during activities under IRs 3 and 4.3.1. By the end of 2005, a basket of best-bet ISFM options for cassava-based systems is identified in collaboration with national scientists, NGO

partners, and farmer organisations in the target areas.3.2. By the end of 2006, at least 2 most promising ISFM options forcassava-based systems are holistically evaluated under on-farmconditions.4.1. By the end of 2007, seasonal field days, associated with on-farmdemonstration sites for ISFM, attract at least 200 farmers in each of thefour target villages.4.2. By end of 2010, guidelines and recommendations for ISFM incassava-based systems are developed and distributed to extension andresearch institutions, operating in the target areas and beyond.5.1. Each year, starting 2005, a planning and evaluation workshop isorganised with the NARS.

5.2. By end of 2010, at least 2 PhD and 6 MSc students obtain theirdegree within the project.5.3. By end of 2010, at least 5 technicians from national systems andNGOs receive on-the-job training in ISFM for cassava-based systems.5.4. By end of 2010, a national symposium on ISFM is organised.

•Annual projectprogress reports.•Peer-reviewedscientific papers, atleast two per DRCpromoter at the endof the project.•University records.•VLIR-documents.•Annual Planningworkshop reports.•Dissemination

materials in locallanguages.

•Sufficientsecondaryinformationavailable.•Best-bet optionsdevelopedelsewhere havepotential foradaptation toconditions in theDRC.•Effective

participation of farmers anddevelopmentpartners.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION MEANS COSTS ASSUMPTIONS




07/21/10

INTERVENTION LOGIC AND PRECONDITIONS

4 Activities (3 to 5 activities per result)IR 1: Characterization1.1. Collection of existing geographical information and information related to nutrient

dynamics in cassava-based systems.1.2. Diagnosis of farm level availability and current use of mineral and organic soilamendments, their effect on productivity of cassava based farming systems, and otherconstraints to enhanced and diversified crop production.1.3. Selection of recommendation domains, representative villages, farmer typologies,and participating farm households for targeting nutrient management technologies.1.4. Monitoring existing farm management and its results on nutrient balances,economic performance, and rural livelihood status.IR 2: New knowledge2.1. Characterization of the current and potential sources of mineral and organic plantnutrients available to farmers in the areas and evaluate their short and medium termcontributions to soil fertility.

2.2. Quantification of the extent and elucidation of the mechanisms (direct nutritional orindirect mulch effects) leading to improvement in nutrient use in cassava basedcropping systems after combining organic and mineral inputs.2.3. Biophysical and socio-economic evaluation of the benefits of legumes integrated incassava systems to overall system productivity.IR 3: Management practices3.1. Farmer-participatory construction of a basket of best-bet ISFM options to enhanceproductivity and diversification of cassava-based cropping systems.3.2. Researcher-managed, on-farm, holistic (biophysical, socio-economic) evaluation of best-bet options for the development of ISFM packages in cassava cropping systems.IR 4: Adaptation and adoption4.1. Farmers managed trials in collaboration with farmers in selected villages in the

target areas.4.2. Train farmers, NGO's, extension workers, and researchers in specific research fordevelopment approaches related to the development and dissemination of ISFMpackages.4.3. Organize field days on ISFM in selected villages in the benchmark areas.IR 5: Capacity building5.1. Develop manpower resources through country and in-province specialized andindividual training and study visits to provide continuity of research on ISFM incollaboration with the two local universities.5.2. Enhance the scientific infrastructure of the local partner universities.5.3. Organize a national symposium on ISFM.

•Lab equipment, GPSunits, etc•Vehicles•Office furniture,computers, etc•Maintenance of material•Liquid substances•Consumer goods•Documentation andbooks•Small material,spare parts•Office supplies•Fuel•Communication• Topping up• Travel in Belgium•Local travel•Local experts•Long term localscholarships (onePhD and 3 MScprojects per region)•International travelexpenses•Board and lodging

costs (per diems andhotel rates for 8weeks per year)•Shipment of samples foradvanced analysis

•2000,- €•24,000,- €•11,600,- €•14,900,- €•9,400,- €•23,400,- €•1,900,- €•20,600,- €•11,350,- €•39,500,- €•6,000,- €•31,500,- €•500,- €•7,500,- €•4,500,- €•20,000,- €•10,800,- €•23,350,- €•3,250,- €

Pre conditionsAll conditions arepresent to allow

the project to goahead as can beseen from theproject documentand thestakeholdermeeting report.

Indicative operational planO C f f f C f



07/21/10

Activity/Sub-activity

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

IR 1 Farming system domain identified and characterized for developing ISFM options for cassave-based systems

1.1.Collection of existing geographical information and information related to nutrient dynamics in cassava-based systems

1.2. Diagnosis of farm level availability and current use of mineral and organic soil amendments, their effect on productivity

of cassave based farming systems, and other constraints to enhanced and diversified crop production.

1.3. Selection of recommendation domains, representative villages, farmer typologies and participating farm households for

targeting nutrient management technologies.

1.4. Monitoring existing farm management and its results on nutrient balances, economic performance and rural livelihood

status.

IR 2 New knowledge obtained on soil processes (e.g. Restoration of depleted soils, improved nutrient use

efficiency) for the efficient design of management practices that enhance soil productivity in cassave-based

systems

2.1. Characterization of the current and potential sources of mineral and organic plant nutrients available to farmers in the

areas and evaluate their short and medium term contributions to soil fertility.

2.2. Quantification of the extent and elucidation of the mechanisms (direct nutritional or indirect mulch effects) leading to

improvement in nutrient use in cassava based cropping systems after combining organic and mineral inputs.

2.3. Biophysical and socio-economic evaluation of the benefits of legumes integrated in cassava systems to overall system

productivityIR 3 Appropriate field management practices based on ISFM for cassava-based systems developed and tested on

farmer's fields.

3.1. Farmer-participatory construction of a basket of best-bet ISFM options to enhance productivity and diversification of

cassava-based cropping systems

3.2. Researcher-managed, on-farm, holistic (biophysical, socio-economic) evaluation of best-bet options for the

development of ISFM packages in cassava cropping systems

IR 4ISFM technologies for cassava-based systems validated and adapted on farm in benchmark areas

4.1. Farmers managed trials in collaboration with farmers in selected villages in the targeted areas

4.2. Train farmers, NGO's, extension workers and researchers in specific research for development approaches related to

the development and dissemination of ISFM packages.

4.3. Organize field days on ISFM in selected villages in the benchmark areas.

IR 5 Capability of NARS to undertake ISFM research for development enhanced.

5.1. Develop manpower resources through country and in-province specialized and individual training and study visits to

provide continuity of research on ISFM in collaboration with the two local universities.

5.2. Enhance the scientific infrastructure of the local partner universities.

5.3. Organize a national symposium on ISFM.

Semi-annual review of logframe

Annual planning and evaluation workshops with stakeholders

Redaction of annual financial and activity reports

Evaluation of project staff performance

Final report

PROJECT MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

YEAR 4 YEAR 5YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3

PROJECT TITLE:A strategy for reviving the vital breadbasket of the Democratic Republic of Congo through integrated soil fertility management coupled to resilient germplasm in cassava-based systems

Detailed budgetANNEX5: Linebasedbudget

Prof. R. Merckx

Country: DRCongo

Projecttitle:AstrategyforrevivingthevitalbreadbasketoftheDemocraticRepublicofCongo



07/21/10

A.

B. 27.800 9.800 37.600

1.000 1000 2.000

21.000 3.000 24.0005.800 5.800 11.600

C. 21.850 32.750 39.100 37.250 35.600 166.5501.700 3.300 3.300 3.300 3.300 14.9001.200 1.700 2.300 2.200 2.000 9.4003.000 4.200 5.800 5.400 5.000 23.400

500 500 500 200 200 1.9003.500 4.200 4.600 4.300 4.000 20.6001.750 2.400 2.400 2.400 2.400 11.3504.000 6.500 10.500 9.500 9.000 39.500

1.200 1.200 1.200 1.200 1.200 6.000

3.500 7.000 7.000 7.000 7.000 31.500

250 250 500

C10.3.2. Local travel 1.500 1.500 1.500 1.500 1.500 7.500D. 500 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 4.500

500 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 4.500E. 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 20.000

E1 Grants

4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 20.000E2 Travel expensesscholarshipstudents

F. INTERNATIONALTRAVELEXPENSES 1.700 3.300 800 3.300 1.700 10.800G. 2.650 8.350 1.350 8.350 2.650 23.350

650 2.100 350 2.100 650 5.8502.000 6.250 1.000 6.250 2.000 17.500

H. 650 650 650 650 650 3.25059.150 59.850 46.900 54.550 45.600 266.050

I. MARGINFORFORINSUFFICIENTBUDGETARYESTIMATE (Max. 5%of theA-Htotal) 2.958 2.993 2.345 2.728 2.280 13.30362.108 62.843 49.245 57.278 47.880 279.353

J. 6.211 6.284 4.925 5.728 4.788 27.935J1 InBelgium(lumpsum5%A-I) 3.105 3.142 2.462 2.864 2.394 13.968J2 Local (Max. 5%A-I) 3.105 3.142 2.462 2.864 2.394 13.968

68.318 69.127 54.170 63.005 52.668 307.288

All rowsneedtobecompletedonsubmissionof thefully-fledgedproposal.

BOARDANDLODGINGCOSTS

G1Per diem

G2Hotel costs

PERSONNELCOSTS

D1Permanentlyexpatriatedpersonnel

SCHOLARSHIPS

C9Communication

C10Other

SHIPMENTCOSTS

ADMINISTRATIONCOSTS

C4Documentationandbooks

C5Small material, spareparts

C6Officesupplies

D2Local experts

C10.1. Servicecontracts

C. 10.2. Toppingup

C. 10.3. Non-international travel

C10.3.1. Travel inBelgium

C7Fuel

C8Reprography

Total

A2. Others

B1Buildings

B2Equipment

INVESTMENTCOSTS

YEAR3 YEAR5

PREPARATORYCOSTS

A1. Identificationor instructionmission

YEAR1 YEAR2 YEAR4

TOTALA-H:

G. 3.1. Representationduringimplementationof project

E. 1.1. Short termscholarshipsinBelgium

E. 1.2. LongtermscholarshipsinBelgium

E. 1.2. Short termlocal scholarships

E. 1.1. Longtermlocal scholarships

G3Representationcosts

TOTALA-I:

OVERALL. TOT. (A-J)

B3VehiclesB4Officefurniture

B5Others

OPERATINGCOSTS

C1Maintenanceof material

C2Liquidsubstances

C3Consumer goods

G. 3.2. Representationduringpreparationof project

Project title:Astrategyfor revivingthevital breadbasket of theDemocraticRepublicof Congo

Other items



07/21/10

r m

EthicsFalcification, fabrication, PlagiarismIssues: duplicate publication

conflict of interestsensitive materialpossibly unethical researchownership of data

authorship

Other items



07/21/10

m

Authorshipearned (first) versus honorary (last)who should be an author ?



07/21/10

Nice to cite ...

Nice to cite ....



07/21/10

“If it dies, it’s biology, if it blows up, it’s chemistry, if it doesn’t

work, it’s physics”John Wilkes

“...the greatest truths, poorly comunicated, remain unconvincing”Lois Debakey

“Do not concern the opinion of another because it differs from yourown. You both may be wrong”Dandemis

“Traveler, there is no path; paths are made by walking”Antonio Machado

“I don’t mind if you think slowly, Doctor; but I do mind if you publishfaster than you think”

Pauli Wolfgang

Nice to cite....“One can no more be a bit dishonest than one can be a little bit



07/21/10

One can no more be a bit dishonest than one can be a little bitpregnant”

C. Ian Jackson“Nothing clarfies ideas in one’s mind so much as explaining them toother people”

Vernon Booth

“Blessed is the man, who, having nothing to say, abstains from givingus wordy evidence of the fact”George Eliot

“To speak much is one thing, to speak well another”Sophocles

“Only the composition as a whole determines the good or bad of apiece of graphic work”

Eduard Imhof

Nice to cite....



07/21/10

“The true spirit of conversation consits in building on another man’sobservation, not overturning it”

Bulwer Lytton

“If all our commonsense notions about the universe were correct,then science would have solved the secrets of the universethousands of years ago”

Michio Kaku

“If we ignore what other people are thinking, or have thought inthe past, then rational discussion must come to an end, though eachof us may go on happily talking to himself”

Karl R. Popper

Nice to cite....



07/21/10

“If you really want to understand something, the best way is to tryand explain it to someone else. That forces you to sort it out in your

own mind. And the more slow and dim-witted your pupil, the more you have to break things down into more and more simple ideas. Andthat’s really the essence of programming. By the time you’ve sortedout a complicated idea into little steps that even a stupid machinecan deal with, you’ve certainly learned something about it yourself”

Douglas Adams“Science tell us what we can know, but what we can know is little,and if we forget how much we cannot know we become insensitiveto many things of great importance”

Bertrand Russell

“Philosophy of science without history of science is empty; historyof science without philosophy of science is blind”

Imre Lakatos

Nice to cite....



07/21/10

“Being a scientist is like being a musician. You do need some talent,but you have a great advantage over a musician. You can get 99% ofthe notes wrong, then get one right and be wildly applauded”

Dudley Herschbach

“The easiest way to grow as a person, is to surround yourself withpeople smarter than you”

“To know two, you must first know one”The fires of heaven – Robert Jordan

“Sapiens nihil affirmat quod non probat”“A wise man states as true nothing that he does not prove”

Nice to cite....



07/21/10

“Tout bien considéré travailler est moins ennuyeux que s’amuser”Charkles Baudelaire

“The university operates on a basic principle of economics:everything has its costs. We pay to create our future; we pay forthe mistakes of the past; we pay for every change we make ...and wepay just as dairly if we refuse to change”

Prelude to Dune – House HarkonnenBrian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson

“...it is afterwards that events are always understood ...”

Our Lady of Darkness – Peter Tremayne

“The first thing to writing is writing, not thinking”Finding Forrester – Sean Connery

Nice to cite....



07/21/10

“What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is

to make a beginning. The end is where we start from"

T. S. Eliot



07/21/10

Suggested Readings

Suggested readings



gg gDavis, M. (2005). Scientific Papers and Presentations. USA, Massachusetts,

Academic Press, 356p.

Luellen, W.R. (2001). Fine-Tuning your Writing. USA, Madison, Wise Owl

Publishing Company, 346.

Malmfors, B., Garnsworthy, P. & Grossman, M. (2002). Writing and Presenting

Scientific Papers. Nottingham, UK, Nottingham University press, 133p.

Chicago (The) Manual of Style (2003). 15th Edition, USA, Chicago, The

University of Chicago Press, 956p.

Ebel, H.F., Bliefert, C. & Russey, W.E. (1990). The Art of Scientific Writing.

Germany, Weinheim, VCH, 493p.

Gibaldi, J. (2003). MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. USA, NewYork, The Modern Language Association, 361p.