Publisher Description

The undergraduate research project is almost universally treated as the culmination of all previous lecture, lab and tutorial work. The project allows for the development of individuality and confers ownership of a challenge possessing an originality that goes far beyond the communal legacy presented by age old lab scenarios. Central to this is the magical transition of the student from a consumer of knowledge to a producer, yet the journey is often both daunting and perplexing when considering where to start and how to reach the destination using the resources provided and in the allotted time. There are numerous books within the social sciences which provide students with guidance on how to conduct a "successful" project but few can be found in relation to the physical sciences. This can be ascribed to the fact that the former has a very similar structure and procedural methodology whereas the latter can possess a near fractal differentiation into a myriad of sub disciplines and specialisms thereby preventing the provision of a single, expansive catchall text. This book adapts some of the components and ethos of the Projects in Controlled Environments (PRinCE2) project management approach to physical science projects. This is the industry and government standard and was introduced to address the common causes of project failure ie. not delivering projects on time, within budget, within scope or to the right quality. It has rapidly emerged as an international standard and most graduates will doubtless encounter it upon moving outside academia and into the wider world. It is a concise, multilevel resource that provides guidance on the core components common to almost every project within the physical, engineering and life sciences (problem assessment and contextualisation, literature review practices, sources and citation, data presentation, reporting styles, data analysis and error etc). It standardises the delivery of the material but, more importantly, links the components together by outlining a coherent procedural road map that can highlight to the student "what to do", "when to do it" and "how to solve it" procedures. The content of the book is presented through case studies so as to enhance the relevance of the processes, presents examples of good practice and, in keeping with the toolbox approach, can be readily adapted and applied by the students. The book is an accessible reference guide for students, written in a light style, suitable for dipping in and out of as required and the "how to/when to/what if" examples are presented in an often humorous light. It includes flow charts to emphasize the project planning, dissertation components etc and charts to highlight presentation of data, analysis, interpretation and error.

Notes

1. A concise, multilevel resource that provides guidance on the core components common to almost every project within the physical, engineering and life sciences 2. Covers problem assessment and contextualisation, literature review practices, sources and citation, data presentation, reporting styles, data analysis and error 3. Includes case studies, examples of good practice and, in keeping with the toolbox approach, can be readily adapted and applied by the students

Back Cover

Guidebook, project atlas, reference book and instruction manual. If you are a student within the physical, engineering and life sciences about to embark on a project whether at undergraduate or postgraduate level then this is the book for you. The book introduces you to the core components common to almost every project within the physical, engineering and life sciences (problem assessment and contextualisation, literature review practices, sources and citation, data presentation, reporting styles, data analysis and error etc.) and offers guidance as to how best to steer a course to project success. It adapts some of the components and ethos of the Projects in Controlled Environments (PRinCE2) project management approach to physical science projects. This is the industry and government standard and was introduced to address the common causes of project failure i.e. not delivering projects on time, within budget, within scope or to the right quality. It has rapidly emerged as an international standard and most graduates will doubtless encounter it upon moving outside academia and into the wider world. Not only does it provide all the project fundamentals a student may need no matter the course but, it also, links these components together by means of a simple and readily accessible project road map to highlight to the student what to do, when to do it and how to solve it procedures. Case studies are incorporated throughout to bring home the relevance of the processes outlined and present examples of good practice and in keeping with the toolbox approach; these case studies can be readily adapted and applied by students. Included are flow charts to emphasize the project planning, dissertation components etc. and charts to highlight presentation of data, analysis, interpretation and error. Suitable for dipping in and out of as required, with the how to/when to/what if examples presented in an often humorous light and written in an easy style, this book offers a concise, no-nonsense project reference guide for students.

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Guidebook, project atlas, reference book and instruction manual. If you are a student within the physical, engineering and life sciences about to embark on a project

Table of Contents

Preparing the Groundwork;
Background Material;
Conducting the Review;
Health and Safety - Risk Assessments and COSHH;
Doing the Work;
Writing the Dissertation;
Preparing a Poster

Review

"primarily aimed at undergraduates" "much of the advice applies equally well...to those embarking on a PhD." "The authors give a lot of the useful advice for selecting a project, reviewing the literature, referencing, writing the dissertation and giving presentations." "easily read and digested" "First time research students, and even final year PhD students, would do well to read this book to understand the standards expected for a dissertation." * Chemistry World, July 2013, Volume 10, Number 7 *

Promotional

1. A concise, multilevel resource that provides guidance on the core components common to almost every project within the physical, engineering and life sciences 2. Covers problem assessment and contextualisation, literature review practices, sources and citation, data presentation, reporting styles, data analysis and error 3. Includes case studies, examples of good practice and, in keeping with the toolbox approach, can be readily adapted and applied by the students

Review Quote

"primarily aimed at undergraduates""much of the advice applies equally well...to those embarking on a PhD.""The authors give a lot of the useful advice for selecting a project, reviewing the lierature, referencing, writing the dissertation and giving presentations.""easily read and digested""First time research students, and even final year PhD students, would do well to read this book to understand the standards expected for a dissertation."

Description for Sales People

1. A concise, multilevel resource that provides guidance on the core components common to almost every project within the physical, engineering and life sciences2. Covers problem assessment and contextualisation, literature review practices, sources and citation, data presentation, reporting styles, data analysis and error3. Includes case studies, examples of good practice and, in keeping with the toolbox approach, can be readily adapted and applied by the students

Description for Bookstore

This book is a concise, multilevel resource that provides guidance on the core components common to almost every project within the physical, engineering and life sciences (problem assessment and contextualisation, literature review practices, sources and citation, data presentation, reporting styles, data analysis and error etc). It standardises the delivery of the material but, more importantly, links the components together by outlining a coherent procedural road map that can highlight to the student "what to do", "when to do it" and "how to solve it" procedures. The content of the book is presented through case studies so as to enhance the relevance of the processes, presents examples of good practice and, in keeping with the toolbox approach, can be readily adapted and applied by the students.

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