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ASTM005 Research Methods in

Astronomy
Queen Mary Astrophysics MSc Course Information
Prasenjit Saha, David Burgess, Bryn Jones, Carl Murray
January 2007

1. Aims
To give students an awareness of research methods in modern Astronomy. To intro-
duce the various sources of information, including research papers and data archives,
that are available for research, and how to evaluate them. To give a description and
examples of the process of writing and publishing scientific articles. To encourage
the exercise of independent critical power when reading astronomy research articles.
To give students practical experience of scientific writing and giving presentations of
scientific information, including the use of appropriate style. To describe the context
of Astronomy research in society, including the funding arrangements in the UK and
in comparable countries.
This course is intended to introduce students to Astronomy research, and serve as an
introduction to the students’ MSc project by providing a common base of skills and
knowledge.
At the end of the course, students will:
• have an increased awareness of research resources;
• have an increased knowledge of the process of Astronomy research and how
results are disseminated;
• have developed their abilities of critical analysis of research articles.

2. Key Objectives
(Key Objectives are usually a specification of what is required in order to simply pass
a course. The nature of this course does not fit very well with this pattern, since
continuous assessment is employed.)
• Demonstrate an awareness of astronomy information and research resources.
• Demonstrate the ability to describe the structure and contents of an astronomy
research article.

3. Course Description
Today research in Astronomy builds on a vast body of literature and archived data.
This course is an introduction to research methods which exploit existing information,
and thus serves as an introduction to the MSc project. Topics covered include: finding
and evaluating information; using data archives; critical analysis of scientific articles;
scientific writing including appropriate style and presentation; the context of Astron-
omy research in society.
The material is broken down as:
Information sources for research in Astronomy (2 weeks)
Critical analysis of scientific articles (2 weeks)
Scientific writing, including group work and presentation (2 weeks)
4. Assessment
This half-unit course will be assessed completely by “continual assessment,” in other
words by coursework.
There are three components of assessment:
• Report on information search (20%)
Brief report (1–2 pages, individually written) on information searches carried
out in support of group task. Should give: goals of search, sources that were
tried, evaluation of sources, evaluation of results and your search. The style
may be note-like.
Due by: 30th January, 2007
• Group presentation on journal article (40%)
Presentation (10–15 min) prepared in groups, of summary and review of an
astronomical journal article. Presentation should cover: aims of article, neces-
sary background information, key results, evaluation of importance, and ease of
reading. Marks will be awarded on a group basis.
Due on: 13th February, 2007
• Written critical review of journal article (40%)
Individually written summary and critical review of journal article (3–6 pages).
Should cover: background information necessary to discuss context of results,
major results and/or ideas, and their importance and consequences. Should
give a critical discussion of the article in terms of its structure, language and
use of illustrations.
Due by: 27th February, 2007

5. Online Resources and Links


There is a web page for the course at http://www.maths.qmul.ac.uk/˜carl/astm005
which gives some further information, including a list of useful of web links.
There is a link to this page from the main web page listing the Astrophysics modules
(http://www.maths.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/astro modules.shtml).

6. Coursework Description
Information Search Report
Marks: 20
Task: To write a short (1–2 page) report describing an information search prompted
by a science report in a magazine or newspaper. The report must be indi-
vidually written, although the information search will usually be a group
activity.
The report should:
1. Specify, and very briefly describe, the topic of the search.
2. Describe the information sources that were accessed, and how the search
evolved.
3. Describe at least one example of how an information source was evaluated in
terms of reliability, comprehensiveness, impartiality, currency, etc.
4. Describe, if appropriate, any unsuccessful aspects of the information search.
Marks are awarded on the basis of covering the above points, and clarity of report.
The report should not exceed 2 pages, and may be in plain prose or in notes style with
bullet points.

Journal Club Group Presentation


Marks: 40
Task: To make a group presentation on a selected journal article (research paper,
preprint, etc) in the style of a “Journal Club” presentation. Each presentation
should last no more than 15 minutes.
Marks are awarded on the following basis:
Balance of material 10
Clarity of explanation 10
Quality of visuals 5
Mastery of science content 15

Journal Article Report


Marks: 40
Task: To write a report (3–6 pages) describing one journal article or research paper
or preprint (or other kind of document approved by course organizer). The
report must be individually written, although the article should be associated
with, the student’s group presentation.
The report should:
1. Give an outline of the background to the article.
2. Describe what is novel in the article, and its implications for future research.
3. If appropriate, comment on any controversial or other interesting aspects of
the article.
4. Comment on your judgement as to the importance of the material in the
article.
5. Describe briefly the structure of the paper, and discuss how the structure and
the use of language affects the clarity of the exposition. Give examples where
appropriate.
Marks are awarded on the basis of covering the above points, mastery of science
content, quality of reasoned argument and clarity of writing.
7. Schedule
Week One: Information Sources: Part 1
Finding Information (45 min)
• Identifying goals
from general to specific
from specific to background knowledge
• Varieties of sources
web and traditional sources
• Evaluating information sources
web and traditional sources
• Looking for Links
references and citations
web links
• Searching for information
web search engines
organizations
electronic publication
publication databases
Walk-through Example (40 min)
• General interest magazine astronomy articles
• Using web resources
publication databases
search engines
Plenary (15 min)
• Information search task
discuss arrangements for week 2

Week Two: Information Sources: Part 2


Astronomical Data Archives (50 min)
• Observations and archives
finding data sources
• Access rules
public and restricted
• Area specific issues
• Gathering and using the data
data formats
data application programs
• Examples

Group Task (40 min)


• To find journal article or preprint associated with the subject of a general
magazine article
• Form groups based on interests
• Discuss in group what search strategy to use
prepare for search before using web
• Explore more than one possibility
select most appropriate/interesting
discuss in group evaluation of sources
• Search for background information
for new terms/concepts find supporting information
Remember to take notes for your information search report!
Plenary (15 min)
• Feedback from groups

Week Three : Science Writing


Science Writing
• Addressing an audience
• Structure
• Style
• Illustration
• Sources

Week Four : Science Presentation: Part 1


“Journal Club” Presentation - Example
Presentation Preparation
• Planning
• Preparing materials

Week Five : Astronomy in the UK


Astronomy Research in UK
• Societies and communities
• Role of PPARC and Universities
• Group Presentation
• Initial planning

Week Six : Science Presentation: Part 2


“Journal Club” Group Presentations
Approximately 15 min each

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