MLU
BIO.07669.03 - Compulsory module 'Design of Research Studies' (MSc) (Complete module description)
Original version English
BIO.07669.03 5 CP
Module label Compulsory module 'Design of Research Studies' (MSc)
Module code BIO.07669.03
Semester of first implementation
Faculty/Institute Institut für Biologie
Module used in courses of study / semesters
  • Biodiversity Sciences (MA120 LP) (Master) > Biologie BiodiversityMA120, Version of accreditation valid from SS 2021 > Pflichtmodule
Responsible person for this module
Further responsible persons
Prof. Dr. Helge Bruelheide
Prerequisites
Skills to be acquired in this module
  • Understand the importance of formulating clear research questions and aligning them with appropriate study designs and statistical tools.
  • Obtain an overview of research designs for experimental, observational and modelling studies; including their advantages, disadvantages and pitfalls.
  • Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate different research designs for experimental, observational and modelling studies, and identify their respective strengths, limitations, and potential sources of bias. Gain practical experience in designing research studies through case studies and real-world examples in the field of biodiversity sciences.
Module contents
  • Common basics for research design: deductive and inductive methods, data distributions, (non-)independence of samples, (non-)independence (covariation) of environmental variables/treatments (predictors)
  • Design of experimental studies; e.g. factorial, nested, split-plot designs
  • Design of observational studies: different approaches of spatial sampling (point sampling, grid sampling, regular, random, arbitrary, presence-only, presence/absence), temporal sampling (continuous/discontinuous, within year/among years), collinearity among environmental factors
  • Design of modelling studies: conceptual models, phenomenological models, process-based models (cellular automata, differential equations, mechanistic, agent-based models)
Forms of instruction Lecture (2 SWS)
Seminar (2 SWS)
Course
Languages of instruction German, English
Duration (semesters) 2 Wochen in der Vorlesungsfreien Zeit Semester
Module frequency jedes Wintersemester
Module capacity unlimited
Time of examination
Credit points 5 CP
Share on module final degree Course 1: %; Course 2: %; Course 3: %.
Share of module grade on the course of study's final grade 1
Reference text
The compulsory modules require physical presence. In case of inability to attend (due to illness or other reasons) the lecturer must be notified promptly.
To earn course credits, students must not exceed a 10% absence, equivalent to missing one day in a two weeks block module. In case of a longer absence there might be the possibility to compensate for missed days by additional tasks.
Module course label Course type Course title SWS Workload of compulsory attendance Workload of preparation / homework etc Workload of independent learning Workload (examination and preparation) Sum workload
Course 1 Lecture Vorlesung 2 0
Course 2 Seminar Seminar 2 0
Course 3 Course Selbststudium 0
Workload by module 150 150
Total module workload 150
Examination Exam prerequisites Type of examination
Course 1
Course 2
Course 3
Final exam of module
Hausarbeit
Exam repetition information
Prerequisites and conditions Prerequisites Frequency Compulsory attendance Share on module grade in percent
Course 1 Winter semester No %
Course 2 Winter semester No %
Course 3 Winter semester No %