Horticulture and Research II
Learn to identify research issues and determine research priorities in horticulture. Understand how to get technical information, plan, design and conduct research through distance education studies.
Research Skills are in Demand
Research was once something done by scientists and academics; but that is no longer the case.
- Managers, businessmen; technicians, and any other professional who works in modern horticulture, need research skills.
- Research skills are not only used to make unknown discoveries; but they are also needed to find the latest, most accurate and relevant information for any new project you are confronted with
- The ability to research is today, critical for your career sustainability.
Acquire and demonstrate research skills, with critical written and numerical assessment of information related to the social, technological, environmental and economic issues that impact on Horticulture today.
Aims
- Determine areas where there is a valid need to research processes relevant to horticultural research in today’s social, economic, political and environmental context.
- Acquire and demonstrate skills in locating and reviewing scientific and technical information.
- Develop and explain alternative research and observational techniques for a particular Horticultural research study.
- To design a quality and focused research project addressing a social, technological, environmental and/or economic issues that impact on Horticulture today.
- Determine and allocate resources needed (time, financial and human resources) for research.
- Demonstrate and explain basic statistical knowledge used for research with emphasis on your ability to present and monitor given data.
- Conduct a quality and focused research project addressing a social, technological, environmental and/or economic issue that impact on Horticulture today.
- Demonstrate skills in report writing.
Lesson Structure
There are 7 lessons in this course:
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Identifying Research Issues and Determining Research Priorities
- Introduction: first, second, third steps
- Finding research ideas
- Brainstorming
- Steps to brainstorming
- Mind maps
- How to mind map
- Concept mapping
- Determining research priorities
- Beginning your research
- Formulating a research topic
- Is the research feasible
- Formulating a hypothesis
- Terminology
-
Acquisition of Technical Information
- Literature review
- Research methods
- Basic methods of collecting information: experimental, correlation, questionnaires, surveys, tests, document review
- Naturalistic observation
- Focus groups
- Case studies
-
Specialised Research Techniques
- Selecting a research method
- Fishbone diagrams
- Applications for cause and effect diagrams
- Lateral thinking
- Lateral thinking techniques
- Pareto analysis
- Observations
- Root cause analysis
-
Research Planning and Designing
- Project planning
- Defining the problem, possible solutions and objectives
- Problem tree analysis tool
- SWOT analysis
- Prioritise objectives and define activities
- Allocate resources
- Results and assessment
-
Statistics
- Introduction
- Data presentation
- Measures of central tendency
- Distributions
-
Conducting Research
- Collecting and logging data
- Developing a data base structure
- Data transformations
- Analysing data
- Managing data
- Analytical procedure
-
Writing Reports
- Reporting results
- Report structure
- Contents of a research report (example)
- Pitfalls to avoid
Accreditations
Learn to Plan and Conduct Research Projects in Horticulture
There are a huge number of research techniques available to a researcher. Determining which methods are best suited for the task is critical. Methods will differ depending on what discipline or field you are in. Social research is done often, but not always, with interviews and questionnaires, while scientific research is done mainly with laboratory and field experiments.
If, for instance, you were trying to determine the eating patterns of men between the ages of 15 and 35, it you may decide to perform a market survey by phone, mail or email. Alternatively, you may decide to question men in a number of different locations such as shopping centres, cinema complexes or recreational parks.
In questionnaires, interviews and surveys you will need to research the content of your questions thoroughly to ensure that the questions are clear and concise. You must determine what sort of response you need. Some answers request a rating (e.g. out of 10), others on a scale from poor to excellent, and others still on a scale of never to always. There are many other formats.
Remember, terminology that you may have become familiar with in the course of your studies can be like a foreign language to the next person. Keep in mind that the recipient of the survey is doing you a favour. They don’t want to be kept for half an hour on the phone during dinner time or while viewing a sporting match, nor do they want to try and figure out complex questions.
Phone surveys have the advantage of being spontaneous and researchers have the opportunity to fine-tune their questions as they progress. Once you have sent out a survey by mail or email the opportunity to monitor as you go is no longer an option. Also, mail surveys require the recipient to post the response back. Statistics have shown that a significantly smaller percentage of people respond to mail surveys than other method of collecting information. One advantage, however, is that surveys conducted by mail and email are a lot less intrusive than those conducted by phone or in person. They allow a person to undertake the survey in their own time and at their own pace.
Developing and using appropriate research techniques to gain the required data requires a lot of planning and preparation. Sometimes trials (or pilots) are required to test-drive a method. Once tested, they can be modified or enhanced to further elicit the information required.
It is important at this stage to get it right.
Who Should Study This Course?
The course is suitable for different people including:
- Horticulturists
- Nursery workers
- Educators
- Researchers
- Writers
- Scientists
- Students
- Horticultural product developers
- Innovators
- Entrepreneurs
- People wishing to move into horticultural research type roles
Study this course to develop your horticulture research skills.
How can I start this course?
You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines.
Please note that if a student is being assisted by someone else (e.g. an employer or government subsidy), the body offering the assistance may set deadlines. Students in such situations are advised to check with their sponsor prior to enrolling. The nominal duration of a course is approximately how long a course takes to complete. A course with a nominal duration of 100 hours is expected to take roughly 100 hours of study time to complete. However, this will vary from student to student. Short courses (eg. 100 hrs duration) should be completed within 12 months of enrolment. Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Awards (eg. over 500 hours duration) would normally be completed within 3 -5 years of enrolment. Additional fees may apply if a student requires an extended period to complete.
If a student cannot submit their assignments for 6 months to ACS, they should advise the school to avoid cancellation of their student
registration. Recommencement fees may apply.
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What do I need to know before I enrol?
There are no entry requirements that you need to meet to enrol in our courses, our courses are for everyone.
If you are under 18, we need written permission from your parent/ guardian for your enrolment to continue, we can arrange that after you have enrolled.
You don’t need to purchase any additional resources to complete our courses.
We aim to teach you the essentials without you having to purchase any specific computer program.
We recommend that you have access to a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, so that you can easily complete and submit your assignments.
You sure can. We are here to help you learn whatever your abilities.
Yes, if you are enrolling in a Certificate or Advanced Certificate, you might be eligible for credits if you have evidence of your previous studies or relevant experience. More information is here.
We recommend that you are able to browse websites, send emails and conduct online research. You will need to be able to type and submit your assignments.
If you have limited computer skills, we can make special arrangements for you.
This is possible, it depends on the institution. We recommend that if you would like to use our courses that you contact the institution first. Our Course Handbook is a good resource for this.
Our courses are written in English and we only have English speaking academic staff. If you can read and complete your assignments in English, our courses are ideal for you.
Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.
This course has been designed to cover the fundamentals of the topic. It will take around 100 hours to complete, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and anything else that is contained in the course. Our short courses are a great way to do some professional development or to learn a new skill.
It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.
The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.
Our courses are designed for adults to gain professional development and skills to further their careers and start businesses.
Our custom online learning portal allows you to conduct your learning online. There may be practical tasks that you can do offline. You have the option of downloading your course notes or print them to read later.
There is also the option to pay an additional fee for printed course notes and or USB (availability limited to location and deliverability).
Yes, if you don’t have access to the internet, you can receive the course as paper notes or on a USB stick for an additional fee. We can also make alternative arrangements for you to send your assignments to us.
We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.
Yes, your tutor is here to help you. Simply post any questions you have in your login.training portal or contact the office and we can pass on a message to your tutor.
We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.
Each module (short course) is completed with one exam.
Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam.
More information is here
There are practical components built into the course that have been designed to be achieved by anyone, anywhere. If you are unable to complete a task for any reason, you can ask your tutor for an alternative.
When you complete the course work and the exam and you will be able receive your course certificate- a Statement of Attainment. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.
You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.
Yes, our courses are built to be applicable for people living anywhere in any situation. We provide the fundamentals, and each student can apply their own unique flair for their own interests, region and circumstances with the one-on-one guidance of a tutor. There is also a bit of student directed research involved.
Employers value candidates with industry skills, knowledge, practical skills and formal learning. Our courses arm you with all of these things to help prepare you for a job or start your own business. The longer you study the more you will learn.
ACS has an arrangement with OAMPS (formerly AMP) who can arrange Professional Indemnity from Australian and New Zealand graduates across all disciplines. Ph: 1800 222 012 or email acs@oamps.com.au.
Who are ACS Distance Education?
ACS Distance Education have been educating people for over 40 years.
We are established and safe- we have been in education for over 40 years.
We are focused on developing innovative courses that are relevant to you now and what you will need to know in the future.
We are focused on helping you learn and make the most of your experience.
You can enrol at any time, you can work on your course when it suits you and at your own pace.
We are connected to many industry bodies and our staff participate in continuous improvement and learning activities to ensure that we are ahead of what learning is needed for the future.
Our courses are not accredited by the Australian Government. However many of our courses are recognised and held in high regard by many industry bodies.
Our courses are written by our staff, who all have many years experience and have qualifications in their speciality area. We have lots of academic staff who write and update our courses regularly.
How do I enrol my staff/ sponsored students?
Yes, you can do a request for a bulk enrolment and request an invoice on our Invoice Request Form
We can prepare an invoice, quote or proforma invoice. Simply complete your details on our Invoice Request form
We can arrange bulk discounts for your course enrolment, please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.
Yes, we have many students who are in locked facilities, such as prisons or hospitals. We can cater by also offering paper notes at an additional cost.
What if I have any more questions or need more information?
We can assist you to find the right course for your needs. Get in touch with us via email (admin@acs.edu.au) call on +61 7 5562 1088 or complete our course advice form.
What if I change my mind?
Please get in touch with studentservices@acs.edu.au if you would like to be removed from our mail list.
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If students require a reproduction of their certificate, an electronic copy can be provided at a cost of AUD$35 incl GST. Printed copies are not available.
Course Contributors
The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.
Dr. Lynette Morgan
Broad expertise in horticulture and crop production. She travels widely as a partner in Suntec Horticultural Consultants, and has clients in central America, the USA, Caribbean, South East Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.
Marie Beermann
Marie has more than 10 years experience in horticulture and education in both Australia and Germany. Marie's qualifications include B. Sc., M. Sc. Hort., Dip. Bus., Cert. Ldscp.
Yvonne Sharpe
RHS Cert.Hort, Dip.Hort, M.Hort, Cert.Ed., Dip.Mgt. Over 30 years experience in business, education, management and horticulture. Former department head at a UK government vocational college. Yvonne has traveled widely within and beyond Europe, and has worked in many areas of horticulture from garden centres to horticultural therapy. She has served on industry committees and been actively involved with amateur garden clubs for decades.
