12.5 Dr. R G Bielharz Second semester 24 hours of lectures and 24 hours of practicals On completion of this subject students should be: aware of the the aims of science, scientific explanation and the role of theory; aware of the place of experimentation and of associated ethical problems; aware of the communication networks in science, as well as problems of communicating between scientists and the public, and specifically with rural people; familiar with electronic media and aware of methods for storing and retrieving scientific information; able to compile a literature review; able to present data and other information in a simple and logical manner able to deliver a simple talk on a scientific topic, and use simple visual aids; able to write a feature article for the popular press; aware of the role of the technical report. The aims of science, scientific explanation and the role of theory. Causality. Probability. Models. Formulation of problems. Testing hypotheses. Experimentation. The role of statistical inference. Basic and applied research. The influence of the researcher. Generation and presentation of data. Observation and measurement. Recording scientific findings. The role of the computer. Ethical and legal considerations. Communication networks in science. The 'Information Explosion'. Handling the exponential increase in scientific and technological information. Conventional library systems, referencing, cataloguing, abstracting, etc. Using abstracts, citation indexes, etc. Computerised information storage and retrieval. Agricultural and biological data bases. On-line searching using CD-ROMs. Reviewing scientific literature. The scientific paper: its role in peer review systems, anatomy, compilation and editing. Tabulation. The technical report: planning, preparation and style of presentation. Communication with rural people. Writing for newspapers and magazines. The feature article. Public speaking skills. Preparation and use of audio-visual aids, including readability. Lay-out and design, including use of computer design packages. Innovations in scientific communication, including local and international networks. Literature searches, criticisms and reviews. Technical report writing. Writing feature articles. Public speaking exercises. Preparation of audio-visual aids. A 3-hour end-of-semester written examination; assignments: a literature review of up to 1,500 words, a 10-minute speech exercise, including assessment of a-v aids used, and a feature article of up to 1,000 words. Fox, R. F. Technical Communication: Problems and Solutions. Harper Collins College, New York, 1994 Gray, M. Public Speaking. Schwartz & Wilkinson, Melbourne, 1991 Petelin, R & Durham, M. The Professional Writing Guide. Longman Professional 1992 Riggs, P. J. Whys & Ways of Science: Introducing Philosophical and Sociological Theories of Science. M. U. P. 1992