512024 Environmental Statistics and Research Methods (2 credits)

Lecturer: Dr.Kensuke Fukushi, Dr. Javzan Sukhbaatar,

Course Description

The research design and methodology is a course designed to help the students in developing their research proposal. This course is focused on the application of relevant research methodology for the research problems that students are interested to solve. This course aims at active discussion and presentation of research proposal by the participants based on the solid academic and practical readings. Individual consultation of students with professors is expected to take place during the semester. Critical analysis of relevant research articles is a part of the requirements. Considering that environmental investigation often covers a broad range of disciplines from the social science to natural science, and the study systems/problems are complex, the course contain information about the main statistical methods to interpret project results.

Course Learning Objectives

1. Enhance students’ understanding of the research process from idea formulation through data analysis

and interpretation;

2. Enable students to use gained knowledge to design their own research on a topic of personal interest;

3. Improve students’ ability to critically read and understand the research literature; and

4. Improve students’ confidence in applying selected research methods.