Background

This unit focuses on accessing and understanding research results through seminars, colloquia

and papers.

It addresses questions like

• How do we make a start on understanding unfamiliar material?

• How do we present material describing other people's results?

• How do we lead and contribute to a discussion of a third party's research work?

The key idea is that as scientists approaching new topics, the quantity and technical difficulty of

material can be overwhelming. Nevertheless there are techniques that can allow us to grab

footholds and start to develop a basic understanding of the material. In this unit, we will do this

many times by encountering new research in several forms (papers, talks etc); following it up

online by looking for further literature and other information; and reporting our conclusions in

different ways: journal club discussions, short blogs and discussion fora.

Amongst other things we will try to evaulate:

• novelty and potential impact

• wider context of the work

• probable correctness

• quality of presentation

We will also think about the ways scientific research is a human activity. This has implications

for how scientists and teams of scientists plan their projects over a series of papers, and what

are appropriate ways for us as consumers of scientific reporting to discuss and critique the work

of others. We will also discuss factors around the process of publication, including the peer

review process, research funding and careers which are all linked to the overall enterprise of

research as captured through the Academic Literature.

The intention of this unit is that it should be unfamiliar and demanding, but rewarding. The skills

developed and assessed are entirely different from any other unit this year. If you put in the

time, it should be very achievable to perform well.

This is also a unit where discussion and (respectful) exchange of opinions is central. The more

each of us puts in, the more fun we will have.

 

Class timetable

Main tutorial/workshop

The first workshop will be an introduction session in Week 1.

In week 2, I will explain to you how a good Journal club presentation should look like and I will also present a sample Journal club talk.

You will attend a library 

Week 3: Library workshop

From week 4 onwards, the floor is yours. A times decided in class,

one or two students will present a journal club of

around 20-25 minutes at each session and lead a discussion of the paper.

Other topics related to seminars we've seen may come up from time to time.

 

 

Technologies used and resources

Part of the unit will involve online searching and accessing of current literature.