Scientific Communication Oswald Van Cleemput Faculty of Bioscience Engineering Ghent University...

Scientific Communication

Oswald Van CleemputFaculty of Bioscience Engineering

Ghent UniversityBelgium

[email protected]://www.isofys.UGent.be

mailto:[email protected]

Content

1. Introduction2. Scientific versus popular science writing3. General information on science writing4. Writing structure5. A good paper ?6. Poster7. General suggestions for oral presentations8. (Literature) review9. Abstract10. Group communication11. Proposal12. Other items13. Nice to cite ...14. Suggested readings

1. INTRODUCTION

Why publishing ?Why publishing ?

Ph.D. Degree??

Get funding

?

Get promotion?

??????

NO !! Editors, reviewers and the research NO !! Editors, reviewers and the research community don’t care about these reasonscommunity don’t care about these reasons

Science development

• Know the existing knowledge– reading/reviewing

• Develop research– present data

• upgrade/increase existing knowledge– reading/reviewing

To Be Read/To Be Heard/To Be Seen

• Know the target public

• Proper channeljournal/bulletin/audience

• Proper language

Research marketting

• Communication …. Is an essential part of working in the field of sciences, in the industry, in conditions of any transfer of knowledge….

• It is vital for science to progress

• It is vital for your own career

Research marketting

Communication of science is as important to the scientific process as the design and conduct of the experiment itself !!!!!!!!!

Research without marketting

• Bar without beer• river without water• zoo without animals

• meeting without people

2. SCIENTIFIC VERSUS POPULAR SCIENCE

WRITING

Communication avenuesResearch

communicationso research journalso research reviewso conference paperso theseso book chapterso annual reportso newsletterso project proposalso lectureso leafletso posters

Extension and popular communications

o extension manualso newspaper reportso magazine articleso radio broadcastso films and videoo audiovisual showso practical

demonstrationso cartoonso photographs

Written

Verbal

Types of written Communications

Exampleo Transmittal of

documento Annual summaryo Recommendationo Instrumentationo Exercise/dutieso Summary for ley

audienceo Journal article

Documento Memo

o Reporto Lettero Manualo Descriptiono Popular article

o Scientific paper

Scientific versus popular science writing

Scientific paper Popular science article

Different target groupDifferent organization

Different language, layout

New knowledge Enables others to repeat Logical and clear IMRAD Technical terms Tables, figures References

Knowledge review Arouse interest Teach:Influence the reader Illustrations as tool to readand understand Examples

Scientific versus popular science writing

New research results:written

scientific journalstandard way: IMRADpeer review

conference paper: same rules, no peer review

oralposter

Communication to general public: popular science publishing, presentations

Writing popular science

• Write at the level of the readers’ previous knowlege and experience

• Not many details• Information is put in context• ABC: accurate, brief, clear• Simplify results; no details: e.g. only

means, no S.D. or R2

• Minimize materials and methods• Pay attention to attractive title, preamble,

headings, visuals, layout

Gunning Fog Index

- A test designed to measure the A test designed to measure the readability of a sample of English readability of a sample of English writing (Robert Gunning, 1952)writing (Robert Gunning, 1952)- The years’ formal education a reader The years’ formal education a reader needs to understand a text easily the needs to understand a text easily the first timefirst time- Texts for a wide audience generally Texts for a wide audience generally require a Fog Index of less than 12; the require a Fog Index of less than 12; the ‘ideal’ Fog index is 7 or 8‘ideal’ Fog index is 7 or 8- University people arrive quickly at 18-University people arrive quickly at 18-2020

Gunning Fog Index

- ExampleExample- Newsweek: 10Newsweek: 10- Reader’s Digest: 9Reader’s Digest: 9- Popular Novels: 8-10Popular Novels: 8-10- Gossip magazines: 7-8Gossip magazines: 7-8- Comic Books: 6Comic Books: 6- Scientific article: 18-20Scientific article: 18-20

Gunning Fog IndexHow to calculateHow to calculate ? ?- Count the number of wordsCount the number of words- Count the number of sentencesCount the number of sentences- Count the number of big words (3 or more Count the number of big words (3 or more

syllables)syllables)- Calculate average sentence length Calculate average sentence length (words/sentences)(words/sentences)- Calculate the percentage of big words (big Calculate the percentage of big words (big words/words)words/words)- Add the avg sentence length to % big wordsAdd the avg sentence length to % big words- Multiply by 0.4Multiply by 0.4

FOG INDEXFOG INDEX

Gunning Fog Index

Worldwide, grasslands cover about 3500 million hectares, more than the Worldwide, grasslands cover about 3500 million hectares, more than the double of arable land. On the European continent it is the opposite : only double of arable land. On the European continent it is the opposite : only 180 million ha of grassland for 300 million ha of arable land. Grasslands 180 million ha of grassland for 300 million ha of arable land. Grasslands have first of all a pure agricultural destination. They serve as primary have first of all a pure agricultural destination. They serve as primary food for wild herbivores and domesticated ruminants. Now, grasslands, food for wild herbivores and domesticated ruminants. Now, grasslands, being a mixture of different grass species, legumes and herbs, act as being a mixture of different grass species, legumes and herbs, act as carbon sinks, erosion preventives, birds directive areas, habitat for small carbon sinks, erosion preventives, birds directive areas, habitat for small animals, nitrogen fixation source, etc…In this situation grasslands are in animals, nitrogen fixation source, etc…In this situation grasslands are in perfect harmony and in balance with the environment. Since mankind, perfect harmony and in balance with the environment. Since mankind, human activities have influenced grassland management. The most human activities have influenced grassland management. The most important are breeding activities since the early thirties. Improvement of important are breeding activities since the early thirties. Improvement of yield and quality was not only in favour of agriculture, but also a lot of yield and quality was not only in favour of agriculture, but also a lot of grass species were bred for amenity purposes, parks and sport fieldsgrass species were bred for amenity purposes, parks and sport fields . .

Gunning Fog IndexThe number of wordsThe number of words144144The number of sentencesThe number of sentences 9 9Big (hard) words (3 or more syllables)Big (hard) words (3 or more syllables) 41 41Average sentence length (words/sentences)Average sentence length (words/sentences) 16 16Percentage of big words (big words/words)Percentage of big words (big words/words) 28,47%28,47%Avg sentence length + % big words Avg sentence length + % big words 16 16 + 28+ 28Multiply by 0.4Multiply by 0.4

(16 + 28) x 0.4 = 18(16 + 28) x 0.4 = 18

Result: the text is for readers with at least Result: the text is for readers with at least 18 years of formal education18 years of formal education

3. GENERAL INFORMATION ON

SCIENTIFIC WRITING

The research processQuestion

What is known ?

Formulate problem

Hypothesis

Project planExperimentCollect data

New knowledge

Interpretation, conclusion

Analyse, Results

Inform others

The research processQuestion

What is known ?

Formulate problem

Hypothesis

Project planExperimentCollect data

New knowledge

Interpretation, conclusion

Analyse, Results

Scientific paper

Intro

ductio

nResu

lts

Dis

cuss

ion

Concl

usi

on

Materials and

Methods

Inform others

• Inviting people for dinner

• Decide what to offer

• Shopping list and buy

• Prepare food; follow recipe

• Serve attractively

• Doing research

• Research plan; objectives

• Gathering data

• Analyse data

• Communicate attractively

Science communicationTwo parts:• New knowledge• Summary of present state of knowledge (state-of-

the-art)

Delivery aspect • Accurate and Audience-adapted• Brief• Clear

Receiving aspect• Know the frames of reference of the acceptor• Adapting to the audience

Science communicationEffective communication

Who ?specialists in your field, wider group, fellow students,

public

Why ?not just for merits, to add to the knowledge pool, to

teach, to inform, to persuade, to push for development

What ?take-home messages, new items, review of topic, take

into account prior knowledge, expectations, questions, technical language

How ?to satisfy the audience’s needs, how will your

information be used

Kinds of scientific communication

ReportsJournal articlesProposalsThesesAbstractsSpeeches or slide presentationsPoster presentations

BooksChaptersReview papersGroup communications

Kinds of scientific communication

ReportsCatch-all term; includes everything from a laboratory account of a simple experiment to progress report and group reports on entire research programmes

Master studies / Ph.D. studiesThesis proposal, thesis or dissertation

Scientists’ responsabilityGrant proposal, journal article, abstract, slide presentation, poster

Kinds of scientific communicationCommon characteristics

simplicityprecisionclarityalways honesty

A few examples: don’t let technology dictate what constitutes

good communication don’t accept graphs which are to complex technology should not dilute clarity study first good communication and then

make the software work for you

General rules for good Technical and Scientific

Writing• If it can be interpreted in more than one

way, it’s wrong• Know your audience, know your subject,

know your purpose• If you cannot think of a reason to put a

comma in, leave it out• Keep your writing clear, concise and correct

Getting started in writing

• Analyse your aims and audience• Make tables and graphs • Decide what messages to communicate• Make an outline• Write a draft – start with the easiest part• Revise and edit• Think of the questions: Who-Why-What-

How

Structure the text

• Examples of structure– Chronological order (development over

time)– Order of interest/importance (most

important first)– Cause and effect (or the opposite)– Comparison/contrast

4. Writing structure

Construction of papers

Component Conference JournalOpening sentence

IntroductionMethods and resultsDiscussionClosing sentence

Sentence to make an impact40% of total (time)40% of total (time)20% of total (time)Clear resumé or main point

None

5-10% of total (space)40-60% of total (space)30-60% of total (space)None

Structure

Construction of papers

Component Conference JournalIdeasRepetitionLengthAccessory materialHumourStyleReferences

Acknowledgement

One every 3 minutesHighly desirableTo finish just before timeSlides, memory stick

Desirable, not essentialConversational, simpleThe least possible

The least possible

No limitVery littleAs short as possibleOnly relevant tables, figuresUndesirableFormal, simpleRequired number for sound argumentsBrief, but adequate

Subject matter

Make an outline

• Structured order of headings and subheadings – with keywords – chart

• A working outline – a tool to help• Discuss your outline with others (co-

author, supervisor, colleague ...)

IMRAD

IntroductionMaterials and MethodsResults andDiscussion

A good title

o Informative: describe the subjecto Specific: differentiate your research from other researcho Concise: say only what is necessary (key-word index !!)

o ‘Two-part’ titleo New technologies for constructions: A novel approacho Technologies for constructions: A reviewo No numbers (I, II, III …. 1, 2, 3 …)

A good titleAvoid

o Observations of ...o Studies of ...o Investigations ...o Examinations of ...o A note on ....

Examples

o Effects of ...o Influence of ...o Estimation of ...o Prediction of ...o Impact of ...o Modelling of ...o Evidence of ...o Control of ...o Measurement of ...o Use of ...

Abstract

See further

Introduction

• Motivate and justify the research• Give a state-of-the-art

– Summarize relevant literature

• State what has NOT been done– Where is the gap in the literature

• State the objectives or hypothesis– What’s the point of this research ?

Introduction

Motivation and justification

Objectives

Gap

Materials and methods

• Give a clear, complete description of all methods used (biological, chemical, analytical, statistical ….)– Organize the methods logically, by tasks– Use specific and informative language

• Include enough information, but not more than necessary, so that the research can be repeated

Results

• Summarise and illustrate the findings logically with tables and figures

• Figures & Tables: see other course

Results• Do not repeat data from the tables or

figures in the text– Mean yield for cultivar A is X and mean

weight for cultivar B is Y• Do integrate data with the text

– Mean yield of cultivar A was higher than mean yield of cultivar B

• Do not interpret the data or draw conclusions in the ‘results’ section

Discussion

• Interpret results– Mean yield of cultivar A was higher than mean

yield of cultivar B, which means that…, which is consistent with …, which suggests that …

• Support your conclusions with comparisons and contrasts from the literature

• Recognize importance of ‘negative’ results• Describe limitations of your research

Conclusions or Implementations

• Explain the main results of the research in terms of the objectives

• Describe what the results mean for the respective discipline

• Give implications in nonjargon language

Conclusions or Implementations

Objectives and approach

Conclusions and impact

Acknowledgements

• General acknowledgement– Institution, research project, source of

funds

• Specific acknowledgement– Colleagues or technicians– Reviewer

• Dedication

References in the text

• Follow the instructions of the journal (see website)– Name (year) or (Name, year) or Name

(number) or (Name, number)

• Check carefully– All references in the text are listed– All references listed are in the text

Appendix

Provides supplemental materialnumerical examplesdetails of analytical proceduresnovel computer programmesmathematical proofs

5. A GOOD PAPER ?

Twelve steps to develop an effective

first draft of your manuscript

Summary Summary

http://www.sfedit.nethttp://www.sfedit.net

An effective first draft (1)

• Consolidate all the information– Have all data, references, drafts of

tables, figures

• Target a journal– Look for the focus of the targeted

journal

• Start writing– Don’t worry for incomplete sentences,

incorrect grammar, have no distractions, main points and ideas should be captured, have a plan


• Write quickly– Keep going, leave gaps, space, if necessary

• Write in your own voice– Helps to say what you mean more precisely

• Write without editing– Only at the end, wasted time

• Keep the plan of your outline• Write the paper in parts

– Treat each section as a mini essay


• Put the first draft aside– At least one day; then you are another person;

a day or more between creation and critique helps

• Revise it – Do it several times till no more improvement– Does each sentence make sense?– In longer sentences: keep track of the same

subject– In longer paragraphs: one single idea or break

it up


• Revise for clarity and brevity– Look for clearness per sentence and

paragraph; most sentences have about 15-20 words; most paragraphs 150 words; avoid necessary words

• Be consistent– Different co-authors: no different style;

be consistent; first author does the final editing

A good paper ???

• The attractiveness of the title cannot be overemphasised

• Formulate a good hypothesis: there must be a reason for your doing !

The primary aim of writing a paper is to have it read

A good paper ???Make your writing easier to

read• Use accurate, appropriate, familiar words• Simple words:

– Utilize → use– Commence → begin– finalize → finish– approximately → about

• Avoid jargon• Avoid passive verbs; use active verbs

– Houses were constructed by people from Mekelle– People from Mekelle constructed houses


read• Use strong verbs

– We performed an analysis of the data– We analyzed the data

• Tighten your writing (eliminate redundant words)

– The prior literature– 10 out of 12– During the course of the experiment– Already existing– Different alternatives– Completely eliminate– Repeat again


read• Tighten your writing (eliminate waste words)

– Words that say nothing• It is interesting to note that ...• It should be pointed out that ...• It is significant that ...• In the presence of ...

• Substitution of sentences by a word– Due to the fact that .....because– Prior to the start of ..... before– On a regular basis .... regularly– A second point is .... secondly– Would seem to suggest .... suggests


read• Substitution of sentences by a word

– Despite the fact that ....although– In the event that .... if– In close agreement with .... agrees with– It seems likely that ... likely– The majority of ... Most

• Use “to” in stead of “-ing”– Regression was used for analysing the data– Regression was used to analyse the data

A good paper ???Checklist for editing

1. Has your draft paper been read and critisized by a colleague in your/other field, a person fluent in English ?

2. Did you select the proper journal and did you copy the instructions to authors ?

3. Using the format of (2); did you check the references (list and text)

4. Did you revise the manuscript ? Title, summary, headings, etc...

A good paper ???Checklist for editing

5. Recheck your references; see original reference; agreement between list and text

6. Proof-read the final manuscript for:– Omissions from the original text– Typing errors, spelling, formulae, tables,

graphs, numbering

Where to publish ?

• Factors to consider: quality of the work, extend of the work, interest to others

• First select a journal and than write; look for the different scopes of journals; see the journals used in your reference list.

• Think of: your audience, prestige of the journal, availability, impact factor, publication rhythm, likelihood of acceptance

• Look for instructions to authors and follow them throughout

• Look at some recent issues of the selected journal

Next step: submission

• Editor checks the paper with the scope of the journal

• Sends it to (usually) two referees (scientific merit)

• Peer review: helps the editor to decide upon ... and helps the author to improve its paper

• ...acceptable; acceptable with (minor, major) corrections; non-acceptable

Next step: revising the paper

• Do it promptly; reply politely and completely• Include a document wherein it is clear what

you changed• If you don’t agree with the comments of the

referees: explain why and find a compromise• If accepted: celebrate the publication of your

paper• Check very carefully the proofs

Review process

Research

manuscript

Referee 1

Referee 2

Chief-editor ↓

Author ↓Chief-

editor ↓Journal →

Proof reading →

article

• accept as it is- minor revisions- major revisions- reject

Under review

accepted

In press published

Journal – chief-editorJournal – chief-editor

Review procedure

• Written report• Questionaire

– Fitting within the scope of the journal– Soundness and correctness– Novelty– Structure– References– Language– .....

THE BEST WAY TO LEARN SCIENCE IS TO

WRITE SCIENCE

Janssen, Denmark

6. POSTER PRESENTATION

When a poster or a presentation ?

• Presentation• Time restrictions• Limited time for

discussion• Varied audience• Difficult to keep

attention• Many distractions

• Poster• Time for discussion• Specific audience

with high level of interest

• Personal contact• Use as display

The situation


• Presentation• More formal;

contact one to many

• Speaker standing; audience sitting

• Moderator helps to introduce, buffer the audience, keep time

• Poster• More formal;

contact one to few• Both speaker and

audience standing• No moderator,

direct contact, no buffer

The situation


• Poster• Materials: poster,

tape …• Know your subject• Prepare answers to

likely questions• Get ready early;

construct poster, review and revise

• Presentation• Materials: slides,

disc, memory stick• Know your subject• Prepare formal

speech, slides …• Get ready early;

practice, review and revise

Preparation


• Presentation• Time limit

formalized• Audience more

captured• Declamation, short

questions• Handouts possible;

less likely to exchange addresses

• Poster• Time limit flexible

• Audience is free

• Chiefly question/answer

• Handouts helpful, easy to exchange addresses

Your audience ?

• Those who work in the same area and who are familiar with your work

• Those who work in a similar area

• Those who work in a different area

You as presenter

You as presenter

Do• Know your subject• Nice appearance• Be friendly• Be PROFESSIONAL• Display your photo• Have business

cards• Hand carry poster

Don’t• Be distracted• Be discouraged by

lack of audience• Forget pins, tape …• Leave your poster• Ship your poster

ABC of Poster presentation

AudienceBrief

ClearDevoted

Enthousiastic

7. GENERAL SUGGESTIONS FOR

ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Presentations

• How to communicate ?• Composition of the slides• Tips and tricks

Presentations

What is important in a presentation ?– Words– Voice– Body language

Presentations

• The most important = NON verbal

Words 7%

Voice 38%

Body 55%

Presentations

Structure the presentation• scenario• sequence of data, idea• presentation

Preparation !presentation

20%preparation 80%

Presentations

Composition of the slides

1 6 61 idea per slide6 words per line6 lines per slide

Presentations


• 166• Simple• Clear

Presentations

Composition of the slidesFirst visual effect

Text comes afterwards

Presentations

Composition of the slides% influence of the five senses:

seeing

hearing

touching

tasting

smelling

Seeing 73%Hearing 11%Touching 7%Tasting 4%Smelling 3%

Presentations


Style ‘telegram’

Simple words, short sentences

Rounded figures

Light page layout

Presentations


Sober background

Bring the essential

items

Explain visual items

Presentations

Reading direction

Presentations


Finish a slide with strength

You are the best

You are the best

You are the best

You are the best

Presentations


Text

Let it appear ….…..line by line

Presentations


Letter type:- as homogeneous as possible- lower case better than caps- max. 1 or 2 letter types (no salad)- max. 3 sizes of letters (min. 22 p.)

Presentations


Character choise:

- italic to indicate a difference- bold or underlined to indicate the importance- put enough distance between sentences- avoid too much centering (sow effect)- no continuous text with capitals

Presentations


Use of coloursPay attention to contrast

background/text

Colour Color Colour

Presentations


General suggestion:

- Keep enough white and empty space

- The presentation should …. breathe

- Provide animation…but don’t make the

audience dizzy

Presentations

Conclusion ?

KISS

8. (LITERATURE) REVIEW

(Literature) review•Characteristics of a review: work from several sources is reported, rather than from one experiment or research programme•Common in journals and conference proceedings, in university training•In shorter form in Introduction of a paper•In longer form in thesis

•Important requirement: critical: compare and contrast published findings

•Brings data together: leads to new knowledge; identifies gaps in knowledge

(Literature) review

Content:• Introduction: what you are reviewing and why• Various subsections: separate the body into themes or topics, put in a logic order• (Discussion)• Conclusions: see scientific paper• References: see scientific paper

9. ABSTRACT

Abstract/extended abstract

• Is almost any brief account of a longer document

• Informative abstract/descriptive abstract

• Abstract of a scientific paper is well structured

• Extended abstract is much shorter than a full paper


• Descriptive abstract– Describes the content, needs to be

accompanied by the document– Is helpful for the reader to decide to

read the entire paper– Contains too little information and detail

that refereed journals expect


• Informative abstract (like in paper)– It shows the reader very quickly whether

the full report is valuable for further study

– To be extracted from the full paper for separate publication

– To furnish terminology to help literature search

Abstract/extended abstract• Informative abstract

– Short, concise, but completely self-explanatory, often submitted on beforehand

– Includes:• Research objectives, rationale for conducting

the research• The basic methods used• The results and significant conclusions that can

be drawn• No literature review or discussion; no visuals• 200 – 250 words; 3 – 5% of text: one paragraph


o Start with motivation or justificationo State the objective, aim, purposeo Summarise essential methodso Summarise important resultso End with important conclusions and

impact

10. GROUP COMMUNICATION

Group Communications

Round-table discussionBoard or committee meetingStanding committeeAd hoc committeeTask force

Decision making involves alternativesProblem solving no obvious alternatives

brainstorming


Group communications with no audienceto make plans for research projectsto decide policyto evaluate a fellow employee’s progress


Procedure for group problem solvingthe problem is clearly defined; objectives are set forth and understood by all members

members of the group plan their individual and collective actions. They may devide responsibilities for gathering information and offering options

As individuals and as a group they devise a plan of action

They act on the plan and analyse outcomesThey evaluate the results of their actions and

determine whether the solution was acceptable


Group communication with an audiencePanel discussionSymposiumForum


•Set a specific goal, but keep plans simple•Start on time ! End on time !. Each issue an appropriate time•Every participant should know the format and what goal is pursued•Think individual•Work toward the prescribed goal, summarize along the way, and avoid digressions•Maintain a professional attitude•Sustain equitable participation•The physical situation should be comfortable for everyone and conducive to good communication

11. THE PROPOSAL

The proposal

• Types– research proposal– grant proposal

• Distinction:- different audience

- different purposes- different guidelines

The grant proposal

• Be sure you are ready to write– The idea must be good and must fit

what the funding agency wants (see colleagues)

• Proposal must be scientifically sound – study the topic

• Outline a plan and review it carefully• Consider what personnel, money,

equipment, time is needed and how it fits into the rest of your work load

The grant proposal

Prepare for questions and answers related to:

1. Originality and scientific merit or benefit to the grantor

2. Importance to the discipline or the immediate problem

3. Feasibility4. Rationale and methodology5. Ability and experience of the investigators6. Budget, facilities, and time required7. Appearance and adherence to guidelines

The grant proposal

Almost any proposal contains the following:1. Title page and executive summary2. Purpose or hypothesis and specific objectives3. Justification4. Review of work done or being done (literature)5. Materials and methods6. Discussion of possible outcomes (conclusions)7. References8. Time frame, budget, biography of the

investigator(s)

The grant proposal

Justification is based on:1. Reason and logic2. Preliminary research3. Scientific principles4. Previous research (literature)5. Feasibility of methods6. Use of or benefit from the results

The grant proposal

Additional considerationsMany proposals are rejectedReduce your frustration by recognizing

the beneficial side effects:writing skills, knowledge on

the subject, literature, colleagues, resubmission

The written research proposal

• Helps to plan the work in advance• To review what is done• To foresee the pitfalls ahead of you• To remain on the right track

(objectives – goals)• Can serve as ‘draft’ for thesis or

papers

Project Cycle Management (PCM)

- Problem tree- Objective tree- Logic framework matrix- Indicative operational plan- Detailed budget

Food insecurity

Low animal production

Low income Post harvest losses

Low nutritional quality

Low crop production

Poor organisation ofthe agricultural sector

Insufficient fodder

Diseases

Theft

Low productprices

High transportcosts

Lack of marketinformation

Unfair pricesetting

Pests and diseases

Low-tolerancegermplasm

Low soilfertility

Lack of phyto-sanitary inputs

Low cropdiversity

Poor nutri-tional habits

Inadequateagronomy

Low yieldinggermplasm

Unfavourableclimate

Inherently poor soils

Little externalinputs

Excess nutrientmining

Non-adaptedtechnologies

Lack of farmerknowledge

Insufficient research

Insufficient capacity

Lack of infrastructure

Lack of opera-tional funds


Problem tree


objective treeImproved food insecurity

Improved animal production

Improved income Lesspost harvest losses

Improved nutritional quality

Improved crop production

Appropriate organisation ofthe agricultural sector

Sufficient fodder

Less diseases

Theft

Higher productprices

High transportcosts

Good marketinformation

More fair pricesetting

Less pests/ diseases

Tolerantgermplasm

Better soilfertility

Lack of phyto-sanitary inputs

Greater cropdiversity

Better nutri-tional habits

Goodagronomy

Improvedgermplasm

Unfavourableclimate

Inherently poor soils

Minimal use ofinputs

Excess nutrient mining

Adaptedtechnologies

Good farmerknowledge

Relevant research

Sufficient capacity

Improvedinfrastructure

Opera-tional funds

IR 2.

IR 3.

IR 4.

IR 5.

VLIRinvestsin theproject

IR 1.


Project description

Overal objectives

Objectively

verifiable indicators

Sources of verification

Assumptions and

preconditions

Specific objectives

" " "

Intermediate Results

" " "

Activities Means Costs "

logical framework matrix

A B C D

PROJECT DESCRIPTIONINTERVENTION LOGIC

OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE INDICATORS (OVIs) SOURCES OF VERIFICATION

(SOV)

ASSUMPTIONS AND PRE

CONDITIONS

1 Overall objectives (if both are applicable) (OO)To improve food security and human nutrition of rural populations in the two provinces while sustaining the natural resource bases (Developmental).To strengthen human and equipment capital through training and services provided by the project (Academic).

By 2015, Millenium Development Goal assessments show positive trends for the indicators related to rural livelihoods in the target areas. By December 2010, at least 2 researchers at the partner institute, trained in the framework of the current project, are taking up leading roles in projects on soil fertility management and writing proposals on ISFM to get extra funding.

National, provincial, and district-level statistics.Poverty assessment reports. Draft project proposals written by national partners.

Political stability.

2 Specific objectives (if both are applicable) (SO)Developmental:1. To arrest resource degradation and enhance food security and human nutrition through widespread adoption of sustainable resource management technologies for cassava-based systems based on improved varieties and system diversification.Academic: 2. To build local stakeholders’ capacity to apply and disseminate improved agricultural technologies with a special focus on strengthening research-for-development capacity at the target universities through degree-related training and improved laboratory capacity.

By December 2005, universities, international scientists, NGO partners, and farmers are planning and working together on the implementation of the project.By December 2007, extension services and NGO’s dealing with agricultural development and working in the target areas are aware of the ISFM interventions developed in the framework of this project and disseminating them to other areas not initially targeted.By 2010, at least 20% farmers in targeted villages use improved proven ISFM technologies that arrest resource degradation and enhance their food security and nutrition.

Annual IARC and NARS, and NGO reports.Newspaper articlesPeer-reviewed journal articles.Quarterly report to VLIR.

Linkages maintained among research and development organizations.Economic policies provide incentives for socially profitable agricultural diversification and resource conservation. Effective systems for technology dissemination and demonstration.Sufficient availability of appropriate Sufficient regional scientific staff capacity.


OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE INDICATORS (OVIs) SOURCES OF VERIFICATION

(SOV)

ASSUMPTIONS AND PRE

CONDITIONS

3 Intermediate results (ideally 3 to 7 results)1. Farming system domains identified and characterized for developing ISFM options for cassava-based systems (Characterization) (Research-Capacity-Extension).2. New knowledge obtained on soil processes (e.g., restoration of depleted soils, improved nutrient use efficiency) for the efficient design of management practices that enhance soil productivity in cassava-based systems (New knowledge).(Research-Capacity)3. Appropriate field management practices based on ISFM for cassava-based systems developed and tested on farmers’ fields (Management practices). (Capacity-Extension)4. ISFM technologies for cassava-based systems validated and adapted on farm in benchmark areas (Adaptation and adoption). (Extension-Capacity)5. Capability of NARS to undertake ISFM research for development enhanced (Capacity building). (Capacity)

1.1. By the end of 2005, at least two target villages in each of the two provinces are identified and bio-physically (soils, nutrient balances, etc) and socio-economically (farmers’ resource endowments, access to markets, etc) characterized.2.1. By the end of 2006, the potential role of at least two selected legumes to enhance the productivity of cassava-based systems is unravelled and their contributions quantified both at the biophysical and socio-economic level.2.2. Throughout the project life, strategic research issues are addressed, based on questions identified during activities under IRs 3 and 4. 3.1. By the end of 2005, a basket of best-bet ISFM options for cassava-based systems is identified in collaboration with national scientists, NGO partners, and farmer organisations in the target areas. 3.2. By the end of 2006, at least 2 most promising ISFM options for cassava-based systems are holistically evaluated under on-farm conditions. 4.1. By the end of 2007, seasonal field days, associated with on-farm demonstration sites for ISFM, attract at least 200 farmers in each of the four target villages. 4.2. By end of 2010, guidelines and recommendations for ISFM in cassava-based systems are developed and distributed to extension and research institutions, operating in the target areas and beyond.5.1. Each year, starting 2005, a planning and evaluation workshop is organised with the NARS.5.2. By end of 2010, at least 2 PhD and 6 MSc students obtain their degree within the project.5.3. By end of 2010, at least 5 technicians from national systems and NGOs receive on-the-job training in ISFM for cassava-based systems.5.4. By end of 2010, a national symposium on ISFM is organised.

Annual project progress reports.Peer-reviewed scientific papers, at least two per DRC promoter at the end of the project. University records.VLIR-documents.Annual Planning workshop reports.Dissemination materials in local languages.

Sufficient secondary information available.Best-bet options developed elsewhere have potential for adaptation to conditions in the DRC.Effective participation of farmers and development partners.



MEANS COSTS ASSUMPTIONS AND PRE

CONDITIONS

4 Activities (3 to 5 activities per result)IR 1: Characterization1.1. Collection of existing geographical information and information related to nutrient dynamics in cassava-based systems.1.2. Diagnosis of farm level availability and current use of mineral and organic soil amendments, their effect on productivity of cassava based farming systems, and other constraints to enhanced and diversified crop production.1.3. Selection of recommendation domains, representative villages, farmer typologies, and participating farm households for targeting nutrient management technologies.1.4. Monitoring existing farm management and its results on nutrient balances, economic performance, and rural livelihood status.IR 2: New knowledge2.1. Characterization of the current and potential sources of mineral and organic plant nutrients available to farmers in the areas and evaluate their short and medium term contributions to soil fertility.2.2. Quantification of the extent and elucidation of the mechanisms (direct nutritional or indirect mulch effects) leading to improvement in nutrient use in cassava based cropping systems after combining organic and mineral inputs.2.3. Biophysical and socio-economic evaluation of the benefits of legumes integrated in cassava systems to overall system productivity.IR 3: Management practices3.1. Farmer-participatory construction of a basket of best-bet ISFM options to enhance productivity and diversification of cassava-based cropping systems.3.2. Researcher-managed, on-farm, holistic (biophysical, socio-economic) evaluation of best-bet options for the development of ISFM packages in cassava cropping systems. IR 4: Adaptation and adoption4.1. Farmers managed trials in collaboration with farmers in selected villages in the target areas.4.2. Train farmers, NGO's, extension workers, and researchers in specific research for development approaches related to the development and dissemination of ISFM packages.4.3. Organize field days on ISFM in selected villages in the benchmark areas. IR 5: Capacity building5.1. Develop manpower resources through country and in-province specialized and individual training and study visits to provide continuity of research on ISFM in collaboration with the two local universities.5.2. Enhance the scientific infrastructure of the local partner universities.5.3. Organize a national symposium on ISFM.

Lab equipment, GPS units, etcVehiclesOffice furniture, computers, etcMaintenance of materialLiquid substancesConsumer goodsDocumentation and booksSmall material, spare partsOffice suppliesFuelCommunicationTopping upTravel in BelgiumLocal travelLocal expertsLong term local scholarships (one PhD and 3 MSc projects per region)International travel expensesBoard and lodging costs (per diems and hotel rates for 8 weeks per year)Shipment of samples for advanced analysis

2000,- €24,000,- €11,600,- €14,900,- €9,400,- €23,400,- €1,900,- €20,600,- €11,350,- €39,500,- €6,000,- €31,500,- €500,- €7,500,- €4,500,- €20,000,- €10,800,- €23,350,- €3,250,- €

Pre conditionsAll conditions are present to allow the project to go ahead as can be seen from the project document and the stakeholder meeting report.


Indicative operational plan

Activity/Sub-activityQ1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

IR 1 Farming system domain identified and characterized for developing ISFM options for cassave-based systems1.1.

Collection of existing geographical information and information related to nutrient dynamics in cassava-based systems

1.2. Diagnosis of farm level availability and current use of mineral and organic soil amendments, their effect on productivity

of cassave based farming systems, and other constraints to enhanced and diversified crop production.1.3. Selection of recommendation domains, representative villages, farmer typologies and participating farm households for

targeting nutrient management technologies.1.4. Monitoring existing farm management and its results on nutrient balances, economic performance and rural livelihood

status.IR 2 New knowledge obtained on soil processes (e.g. Restoration of depleted soils, improved nutrient use

efficiency) for the efficient design of management practices that enhance soil productivity in cassave-based systems

2.1. Characterization of the current and potential sources of mineral and organic plant nutrients available to farmers in the

areas and evaluate their short and medium term contributions to soil fertility.2.2. Quantification of the extent and elucidation of the mechanisms (direct nutritional or indirect mulch effects) leading to

improvement in nutrient use in cassava based cropping systems after combining organic and mineral inputs.2.3. Biophysical and socio-economic evaluation of the benefits of legumes integrated in cassava systems to overall system

productivityIR 3 Appropriate field management practices based on ISFM for cassava-based systems developed and tested on

farmer's fields.3.1. Farmer-participatory construction of a basket of best-bet ISFM options to enhance productivity and diversification of

cassava-based cropping systems3.2. Researcher-managed, on-farm, holistic (biophysical, socio-economic) evaluation of best-bet options for the

development of ISFM packages in cassava cropping systemsIR 4

ISFM technologies for cassava-based systems validated and adapted on farm in benchmark areas

4.1. Farmers managed trials in collaboration with farmers in selected villages in the targeted areas4.2. Train farmers, NGO's, extension workers and researchers in specific research for development approaches related to

the development and dissemination of ISFM packages.4.3. Organize field days on ISFM in selected villages in the benchmark areas.IR 5 Capability of NARS to undertake ISFM research for development enhanced.5.1. Develop manpower resources through country and in-province specialized and individual training and study visits to

provide continuity of research on ISFM in collaboration with the two local universities.5.2. Enhance the scientific infrastructure of the local partner universities.5.3. Organize a national symposium on ISFM.

Semi-annual review of logframe

Annual planning and evaluation workshops with stakeholders

Redaction of annual financial and activity reports

Evaluation of project staff performance

Final report

PROJECT MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

YEAR 4 YEAR 5YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3

PROJECT TITLE:A strategy for reviving the vital breadbasket of the Democratic Republic of Congo through integrated soil fertility management coupled to resilient germplasm in cassava-based systems

Detailed budget

A.

B. 27.800 9.800 37.600

1.000 1000 2.00021.000 3.000 24.0005.800 5.800 11.600

C. 21.850 32.750 39.100 37.250 35.600 166.5501.700 3.300 3.300 3.300 3.300 14.9001.200 1.700 2.300 2.200 2.000 9.4003.000 4.200 5.800 5.400 5.000 23.400

500 500 500 200 200 1.9003.500 4.200 4.600 4.300 4.000 20.6001.750 2.400 2.400 2.400 2.400 11.3504.000 6.500 10.500 9.500 9.000 39.500

1.200 1.200 1.200 1.200 1.200 6.000

3.500 7.000 7.000 7.000 7.000 31.500

250 250 500C 10.3.2. Local travel 1.500 1.500 1.500 1.500 1.500 7.500

D. 500 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 4.500

500 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 4.500E. 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 20.000

E1 Grants

4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 20.000E2 Travel expenses scholarship students

F. INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL EXPENSES 1.700 3.300 800 3.300 1.700 10.800G. 2.650 8.350 1.350 8.350 2.650 23.350

650 2.100 350 2.100 650 5.8502.000 6.250 1.000 6.250 2.000 17.500

H. 650 650 650 650 650 3.25059.150 59.850 46.900 54.550 45.600 266.050

I. MARGIN FOR FOR INSUFFICIENT BUDGETARY ESTIMATE (Max. 5% of the A-H total)2.958 2.993 2.345 2.728 2.280 13.30362.108 62.843 49.245 57.278 47.880 279.353

J. 6.211 6.284 4.925 5.728 4.788 27.935J1 In Belgium (lumpsum 5% A-I) 3.105 3.142 2.462 2.864 2.394 13.968J2 Local (Max. 5% A-I) 3.105 3.142 2.462 2.864 2.394 13.968

68.318 69.127 54.170 63.005 52.668 307.288

All rows need to be completed on submission of the fully-fledged proposal.

BOARD AND LODGING COSTS

G 1 Per diem

G 2 Hotel costs

PERSONNEL COSTS

D 1 Permanently expatriated personnel

SCHOLARSHIPS

C 9 Communication

C 10 Other

SHIPMENT COSTS

ADMINISTRATION COSTS

C 4 Documentation and books

C 5 Small material, spare parts

C 6 Office supplies

D 2 Local experts

C 10.1. Service contracts

C. 10.2. Topping up

C. 10.3. Non-international travel

C 10.3.1. Travel in Belgium

C 7 Fuel

C 8 Reprography

Total

A 2. Others

B 1 Buildings

B 2 Equipment

INVESTMENT COSTS

YEAR 3 YEAR 5PREPARATORY COSTS

A 1. Identification or instruction mission

YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 4

TOTAL A-H:

G. 3.1. Representation during implementation of project

E. 1.1. Short term scholarships in Belgium

E. 1.2. Long term scholarships in Belgium

E. 1.2. Short term local scholarships

E. 1.1. Long term local scholarships

G 3 Representation costs

TOTAL A-I:

OVERALL. TOT. (A-J)

B 3 Vehicles

B 4 Office furniture

B 5 Others

OPERATING COSTS

C 1 Maintenance of material

C 2 Liquid substances

C 3 Consumer goods

G. 3.2. Representation during preparation of project

ANNEX 5: Line based budgetProf. R. Merckx

Country: DR CongoProject title:A strategy for reviving the vital breadbasket of the Democratic Republic of Congo

12. OTHER ITEMS12. OTHER ITEMS

Other items

EthicsFalcification, fabrication, PlagiarismIssues: duplicate publication

conflict of interestsensitive materialpossibly unethical researchownership of dataauthorship

Other items

Authorshipearned (first) versus honorary (last)who should be an author ?

13. NICE TO CITE ...

Nice to cite ....

“If it dies, it’s biology, if it blows up, it’s chemistry, if it doesn’t work, it’s physics”

John Wilkes

“...the greatest truths, poorly comunicated, remain unconvincing”Lois Debakey

“Do not concern the opinion of another because it differs from your own. You both may be wrong”

Dandemis

“Traveler, there is no path; paths are made by walking”Antonio Machado

“I don’t mind if you think slowly, Doctor; but I do mind if you publish faster than you think”

Pauli Wolfgang

Nice to cite....“One can no more be a bit dishonest than one can be a little bit pregnant”

C. Ian Jackson

“Nothing clarfies ideas in one’s mind so much as explaining them to other people”

Vernon Booth

“Blessed is the man, who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us wordy evidence of the fact”

George Eliot

“To speak much is one thing, to speak well another”Sophocles

“Only the composition as a whole determines the good or bad of a piece of graphic work”

Eduard Imhof

Nice to cite....

“The true spirit of conversation consits in building on another man’s observation, not overturning it”

Bulwer Lytton

“If all our commonsense notions about the universe were correct, then science would have solved the secrets of the universe thousands of years ago”

Michio Kaku

“If we ignore what other people are thinking, or have thought in the past, then rational discussion must come to an end, though each of us may go on happily talking to himself”

Karl R. Popper

Nice to cite....

“If you really want to understand something, the best way is to try and explain it to someone else. That forces you to sort it out in your own mind. And the more slow and dim-witted your pupil, the more you have to break things down into more and more simple ideas. And that’s really the essence of programming. By the time you’ve sorted out a complicated idea into little steps that even a stupid machine can deal with, you’ve certainly learned something about it yourself”

Douglas Adams“Science tell us what we can know, but what we can know is little, and if we forget how much we cannot know we become insensitive to many things of great importance”

Bertrand Russell

“Philosophy of science without history of science is empty; history of science without philosophy of science is blind”

Imre Lakatos

Nice to cite....

“Being a scientist is like being a musician. You do need some talent, but you have a great advantage over a musician. You can get 99% of the notes wrong, then get one right and be wildly applauded”

Dudley Herschbach

“The easiest way to grow as a person, is to surround yourself with people smarter than you”

“To know two, you must first know one”The fires of heaven – Robert Jordan

“Sapiens nihil affirmat quod non probat”“A wise man states as true nothing that he does not prove”

Nice to cite....

“Tout bien considéré travailler est moins ennuyeux que s’amuser”

Charkles Baudelaire

“The university operates on a basic principle of economics: everything has its costs. We pay to create our future; we pay for the mistakes of the past; we pay for every change we make ...and we pay just as dairly if we refuse to change”

Prelude to Dune – House HarkonnenBrian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson

“...it is afterwards that events are always understood ...”Our Lady of Darkness – Peter Tremayne

“The first thing to writing is writing, not thinking”Finding Forrester – Sean Connery

Nice to cite....

“What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from"

T. S. Eliot

Clarity is the main merit of speechAristoteles

Big people talk about ideasMediocre people talk about thingsSmall people talk about people

It’s nice to be …importantBut it’s more important to be …nice

Poor soils make poor people and poor people make poor soils worse

Roseveldt

Nice to cite....

If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it ?

Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Geen blind verzet tegen vooruitgang, maar verzet tegen blinde vooruitgang

Inspraak zonder inzicht is uitspraak zonder uitzicht

Wie zijn opleiding verwaarloost blijft zijn leven lang kreupelPlato

Het verlangen is mooier dan de bevrediging – het kan wel lastig zijn.

Yesterday is history – Tomorrow is mystery – Today is a gift. Enjoy it

Nice to cite....

Timeo hominen unius libri – Vrees de persoon, die zweert bij één boek !

Thomas van Aquino (1225-1274)

Wedijver onder de geleerden speelt in de kaart van de wetenschap

de Talmud (500 B.C.)

An academic person is a person with his/her two feet firmly planted … in the clouds

Laat de geleerden nooit alleen beslissen; er zijn te veel verstrooide professoren bij

Ervaring is een kam, die de natuur ons geeft als we al bijna kaal geworden zijn.

Nice to cite....

We kennen nog steeds al de antwoorden, maar niemand stelt ons nog de vragen

De toelating tot het emeritaat is de enige benoeming aan de universiteit, die je in de wacht kunt slepen, zonder examen af te leggen, waarvoor geen concurrenten opdagen en het is zelfs een functie waaruit je niet kunt ontslagen worden.

M. Eyskens

Als alles lukt in je leven, dan heb je niet geneog geprobeerd.

Wijsheid vindt men in boeken; wijs zijn moet men verder zoeken

G. Gezelle

Professoren, die hun wijsheid alleen uit boeken hebben, moet men op de boekenplank zetten

Winnaars zijn verliezers die nooit opgeven

Nice to cite....

The best way to learn science is to write scienceH.H. Janzen, Denmark, 1996

14. SUGGESTED READINGS

Suggested readingsDavis, M. (2005). Scientific Papers and Presentations. USA, Massachusetts, Academic Press, 356p.Luellen, W.R. (2001). Fine-Tuning your Writing. USA, Madison, Wise Owl Publishing Company, 346.Malmfors, B., Garnsworthy, P. & Grossman, M. (2002). Writing and Presenting Scientific Papers. Nottingham, UK, Nottingham University press, 133p.

Chicago (The) Manual of Style (2003). 15th Edition, USA, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press, 956p.Ebel, H.F., Bliefert, C. & Russey, W.E. (1990). The Art of Scientific Writing. Germany, Weinheim, VCH, 493p.Gibaldi, J. (2003). MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. USA, New York, The Modern Language Association, 361p.Pollefliet, L. (2009). Schrijven van verslag tot eindwerk. Academia Press, Gent, 242p.

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Scientific Communication Oswald Van Cleemput Faculty of Bioscience Engineering Ghent University...

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