Methodology of scientific work

Acquiring basic knowledge aimed at training students for independent research work. By learning about the methods of scientific work and research and the forms and ways of scientific knowledge of the most important elements of scientific theory, students will be able to critically judge literature. By becoming familiar with research techniques and evaluating scientific research work, students will be trained for more effective presentation and promotion of geographical research.

Students should acquire basic knowledge for independent writing and presentation of research papers. To that end, they should master the basic postulates, principles and methods of scientific research work and adopt the basic principles and methods of writing and presenting scientific research work.

Science: concept and classification. Scientific theory, scientific laws, and scientific explanation. The concept and development of the scientific method. T Personal characteristics of the researcher. Methods of scientific work and research: types and classification. Subject and objectives of scientific research. Scientific theory. Scientific hypotheses and variables. Empirical basis of scientific knowledge. Scientific laws, scientific explanation, and prediction. Scientific truth. Evaluation of scientific creativity. Ethics of scientific work. Copyright. Scientific research project: types, structure, and criteria for selecting a methodological approach. Evaluation of scientific research work. Citation and ranking. Use of citation databases (Cobiss, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, …). Impact Factor and the Hirsch index. Publishing and types of scientific publications (scientific monograph, scientific journal, conference proceedings, original scientific paper, professional paper, …). Leading geographical journals. Collection, selection, and study of literature and data sources. Writing a scientific paper. Use and citation of literature (styles: Chicago, Harvard, APA, …). Technical and stylistic editing of the text. Data analysis and processing. Evaluation of research results. Presentation of scientific work. Methods and techniques for presenting scientific research. Structure of a presentation. Promotion of scientific work. Promotion of geographical science.

1. B. Đurđev: Research Methodology, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Science, Institute of Geography, Novi Sad, 2000.

Knowledge assessment is conducted in written form (a test) during the semester. The final exam is taken in written (test) and oral form. A submitted and successfully defended seminar paper is a prerequisite for taking the written test and the oral exam.

Expert knowledge and skills will be provided through lectures and consultations.