Research Reporting

Oswald Van Cleemput

Faculty of Bioscience Engineering
Ghent University
Belgium
Oswald.Vancleemput@Ugent.be
http://www.isofys.UGent.be

07/21/10
Research reporting
Content
1. Introduction
2. General information
3. Writing structure
4. A good paper ?
5. Poster
6. (Literature) review
7. Abstract
8. Group Communication
9. General suggestions for presentations
10. Proposal
11. Nice to cite ...
12. Suggested readings
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 INTRODUCTION

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 Science development
• Know the existing knowledge
– reading/reviewing
• Develop research
– present data
• upgrade/increase existing
knowledge
– reading/reviewing
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 To Be Read/To Be Heard/To
Be Seen
• Know the target public

• Proper channel
journal/bulletin/audience
• Proper language

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 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

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

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 Communication avenues
Extension and popular Research
communications communications
o extension manuals o research journals
o newspaper reports o research reviews
o magazine articles o conference papers
o radio broadcasts o theses
o films and video o book chapters
o audiovisual shows o annual reports
o practical o newsletters
demonstrations o project proposals
o cartoons o lectures
o photographs o leaflets
o posters
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 Verbal

Written

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Types of written Communications
Document Example
o Memo o Transmittal of
document
o Annual summary
o Report o Recommendation
o Letter o Instrumentation
o Manual o Exercise/duties
o Summary for ley
o Description audience
o Popular article o Journal article

o Scientific paper
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Scientific versus popular science writing

Scientific paper Popular science article

Different target group

Different organization
Different language, layout

 New knowledge  Knowledge review

 Enables others to repeat  Arouse interest
 Logical and clear IMRAD  Teach:Influence the reader
 Technical terms  Illustrations as tool to read
 Tables, figures and understand
 References  Examples

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 Scientific versus
popular science writing
The same topic: presentation differently
different audience

New research: written form

oral presentation
poster

Written conference paper: same rules

no peer review

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 Scientific versus
popular science writing
Written conference paper: same rules
no peer review
New research results: scientific journal
standard way: IMRAD
peer review

New research results: communication to public

audiences (popular science publishing,
presentations)

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 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
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 Gunning Fog Index

- A test designed to measure the readability

of a sample of English writing (R. Gunning,
1952)

- Texts for a wide audience generally require

a Fog Index of less than 12; the ‘ideal’ Fog
index is 7 or 8

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 Gunning Fog Index
How to calculate ?
- Count the number of words
- Count the number of sentences
- Count the number of big words (3 or more
syllables)
- Calculate average sentence length
(words/sentences)
- Calculate the percentage of big words (big words/
words)
- Add the avg sentence length to % big words
- Multiply by 0.4
 FOG INDEX
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 Gunning Fog Index
Worldwide, grasslands cover about 3500 million hectares, more than the
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
have first of all a pure agricultural destination. They serve as primary
food for wild herbivores and domesticated ruminants. Now, grasslands,
being a mixture of different grass species, legumes and herbs, act as
carbon sinks, erosion preventives, birds directive areas, habitat for small
animals, nitrogen fixation source, etc…In this situation grasslands are in
perfect harmony and in balance with the environment. Since mankind,
human activities have influenced grassland management. The most
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
grass species were bred for amenity purposes, parks and sport fields.

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 Gunning Fog Index
The number of words 144
The number of sentences 9
Big words (3 or more syllables) 41
Average sentence length (words/sentences) 16
Percentage of big words (big words/words) 28,47%
Avg sentence length + % big words 16 + 28
Multiply by 0.4
(16 + 28) x 0.4 = 18

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 Research without marketting

• Bar without beer

• river without water
• zoo without animals
• meeting without people

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 General information

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 The research process
Inform others Question

What is known ?
New knowledge

Formulate problem
Interpretation,
conclusion
Hypothesis

Analyse, Results Project plan

Experiment
Collect data

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• Inviting people for • Doing research
dinner

• Decide what to offer

• Research plan; objectives
• Gathering data
• Shopping list and buy
• Analyse data
• Prepare food; follow
recipe
• Communicate attractively
• Serve attractively
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 Science communication
• 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
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 Science communication
Effective 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
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Kinds of scientific communication
Reports
Journal articles
Proposals
Theses
Abstracts
Speeches or slide presentations
Poster presentations

Books
Chapters
Review papers
Group communications
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Kinds of scientific communication
Master studies / Ph.D. studies
Thesis proposal, thesis or dissertation

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

Scientists
Grant proposal, journal article, abstract, slide
presentation, poster

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Kinds of scientific communication
Common characteristics
simplicity
precision
clarity
always honesty
Important advice
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
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 General rules for 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

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 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

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 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

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 Writing structure

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 Construction of papers
Structure

Component Conference Journal

Opening sentence Sentence to make an None
impact
Introduction 40% of total (time) 5-10% of total (space)
Methods and results 40% of total (time) 40-60% of total (space)
Discussion 20% of total (time) 30-60% of total (space)
Closing sentence Clear resumé or main None
point

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 Construction of papers
Subject matter

Component Conference Journal

Ideas One very 3 minutes No limit
Repetition Highly desirable Very little
Length To finish just before time As short as possible
Accessory material Slides, memory stick Only relevant tables,
Humour figures
Style Desirable, not essential Undesirable
References Conversational, simple Formal, simple
The least possible Required number for
sound arguments
Acknowledgement
The least possible Brief, but adequate
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 The research process
Inform others Question

Scientific paper
What is known ?
New knowledge

Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion
Results
Formulate problem
Interpretation,
conclusion
Hypothesis
Materials and
Methods

Analyse, Results Project plan

Experiment
Collect data

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 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 ...)

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 IMRAD

Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results and
Discussion

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

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

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 A good title
Avoid Examples
o Effects of ...
o Observations of ...
o Influence of ...
o Studies of ...
o Estimation of ...
o Investigations ...
o Prediction of ...
o Examinations of ...
o Impact of ...
o A note on ....
o Modelling of ...
o Evidence of ...
o Control of ...
o Measurement of ...
o Use of ...

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 Abstract

See further

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 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 ?

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 Introduction
Motivation and justification

Gap

Objectives

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 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

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 Results
• Summarise and illustrate the findings
logically with tables and figures

• Figures & Tables: see other course

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 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

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 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

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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

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Conclusions or Implementations
Objectives and approach

Conclusions and impact

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 Acknowledgements
• General acknowledgement
– Institution, research project, source of funds

• Specific acknowledgement
– Colleagues or technicians
– Reviewer

• Dedication

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 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

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 Appendix
Provides supplemental material
numerical examples
details of analytical procedures
novel computer programmes
mathematical proofs

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 A good paper ?

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 Summary

Twelve steps to develop an

effective first draft of
your manuscript

http://www.sfedit.net

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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
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An effective first draft (2)

• 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

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An effective first draft (3)

• 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

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An effective first draft (4)

• 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

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

• The attractiveness of the title cannot

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

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 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 Limburg
– People from Limburg constructed houses

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 A good paper ???
Make your writing easier to 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

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 A good paper ???
Make your writing easier to 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

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 A good paper ???
Make your writing easier to 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

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 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...
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 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

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 A good paper ???
Next step
• Editor checks the paper with the scope
of the journal
• Send it to (usually) two referees
(scientific merit)
• ...acceptable; acceptable with
corrections; non-acceptable

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 Review process
Research
↓
manuscript
Under review

Referee 1 Referee 2 • accept as it is

- minor revisions
- major revisions
Chief- editor - reject
↓
Author
↓
Chief-editor
accepted ↓
Journal → Proof reading → article

In press published
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 Poster Presentation

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When a poster or a presentation ?
The situation

• Presentation • Poster
• Time restrictions • Time for discussion
• Limited time for • Specific audience
discussion with high level of
• Varied audience interest
• Difficult to keep • Personal contact
attention • Use as display
• Many distractions
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When a poster or a presentation ?
The situation
• Presentation • Poster
• More formal; contact one • More formal; contact
to many one to few
• Speaker standing; • Both speaker and
audience sitting
audience standing
• Moderator helps to
introduce, buffer the • No moderator, direct
audience, keep time contact, no buffer

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When a poster or a presentation ?
Preparation
• Poster • Presentation
• Materials: poster, tape • Materials: slides, disc,
… memory stick
• Know your subject • Know your subject
• Prepare answers to • Prepare formal speech,
likely questions slides …
• Get ready early; • Get ready early;
construct poster, practice, review and
review and revise revise

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When a poster or a presentation ?
• Presentation
• Time limit formalized
• Audience more
captured
• Declamation, short
questions
• Handouts possible; less
likely to exchange
addresses
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• 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

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 You as presenter

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 You as presenter
Do Don’t
• Know your subject • Be distracted
• Nice appearance • Be discouraged by
• Be friendly lack of audience
• Be PROFESSIONAL • Forget pins, tape …
• Display your photo • Leave your poster
• Have business cards • Ship your poster
• Hand carry poster

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 ABC of Poster presentation
Audience
Brief
Clear
Devoted
Enthousiastic

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 (Literature) review

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 (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
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 (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

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 Abstract

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 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
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 Abstract/extended abstract
• 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

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 Abstract/extended abstract
• 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

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 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

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 Abstract/extended abstract

o Start with motivation or justification

o State the objective, aim, purpose
o Summarise essential methods
o Summarise important results
o End with important conclusions and impact

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 THE BEST WAY TO
LEARN SCIENCE IS TO
WRITE SCIENCE

Janssen, Denmark

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 Group Communication

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 Group Communications
Round-table discussion
Board or committee meeting
Standing committee
Ad hoc committee
Task force

Decision making involves alternatives

Problem solving no obvious alternatives

brainstorming

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 Group Communications

Group communications with no audience

to make plans for research projects
to decide policy
to evaluate a fellow employee’s progress

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 Group Communications
Procedure for group problem solving
the 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 outcomes
They evaluate the results of their actions and
determine whether the solution was acceptable

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 Group Communications
Group communication with an audience
Panel discussion
Symposium
Forum

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 Group Communications
•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
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 General suggestions for
presentations

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 Presentations

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

What is important in a presentation ?

– Words
– Voice
– Body language

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 Presentations

• The most important = NON verbal

Words 7%

Voice 38%

Body 55%

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 Presentations

Structure the presentation

• scenario
• sequence of data, idea
• presentation
Preparation !
presentation 20%
preparation 80%

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 Presentations

Composition of the slides

1 6 6
1 idea per slide
6 words per line
6 lines per slide

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 Presentations

Composition of the slides

• 166
• Simple
• Clear

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 Presentations

Composition of the slides

First visual effect

Text comes afterwards

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 Presentations

Composition of the slides

First visual effect

Text comes afterwards

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 Presentations

Composition of the slides

% influence of the five senses:

Seeing 73%
seeing
hearing
Hearing 11%
touching
tasting
Touching 7%
smelling Tasting 4%
Smelling 3%

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 Presentations

Composition of the slides

Style ‘telegram’
Simple words, short sentences
Rounded figures
Light page layout
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 Presentations

Composition of the slides

Sober background
Bring the essential items
Explain visual items

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 Presentations

Reading direction

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 Presentations
Composition of the slides
Finish a slide with strength

You are the best

You are the best

You are the best

You are the best

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 Presentations
Composition of the slides

Text

Let it appear ….
…..line by line

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 Presentations
Composition of the slides

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.)

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 Presentations
Composition of the slides

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
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 Presentations
Composition of the slides

Use of colours
Pay attention to contrast
background/text
Colour Color Colour

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 Presentations
Composition of the slides

General suggestion:

- Keep enough white and empty space

- The presentation should …. breathe
- Provide animation…but don’t make the audience
dizzy
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 Presentations

Conclusion ?
KISS

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 The proposal

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 The proposal
• Types
– research proposal
– grant proposal
• Distinction:
- different audience
- different purposes
- different guidelines

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 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

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 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. Feasibility
4. Rationale and methodology
5. Ability and experience of the investigators
6. Budget, facilities, and time required
7. Appearance and adherence to guidelines

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 The grant proposal
Almost any proposal contains the following:
1. Title page and executive summary
2. Purpose or hypothesis and specific objectives
3. Justification
4. Review of work done or being done (literature)
5. Materials and methods
6. Discussion of possible outcomes (conclusions)
7. References
8. Time frame, budget, biography of the investigator(s)

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 The grant proposal
Justification is based on:
1. Reason and logic
2. Preliminary research
3. Scientific principles
4. Previous research (literature)
5. Feasibility of methods
6. Use of or benefit from the results

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 The grant proposal
Additional considerations
Many proposals are rejected
Reduce your frustration by recognizing the
beneficial side effects:
writing skills, knowledge on the
subject, literature, colleagues,
resubmission

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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

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Project Cycle Management (PCM)

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

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Project Cycle Management (PCM)
Problem tree
Food insecurity

Unfavourable Low crop Low nutritional Low income Low animal Post harvest
climate production quality production losses
Low product
prices
Pests and Low yielding Low soil Inadequate Low crop Poor nutri -
diseases germplasm fertility agronomy diversity tional habits
High transport
Diseases
costs

Low -tolerance Inherently poor

Unfair price
germplasm soils Theft
setting

Lack of phyto - Little external Lack of market Insufficient

sanitary inputs inputs information fodder

Excess nutrient
mining
Non -adapted Lack of farmer
technologies knowledge

Insufficient Poor organisation of

research the agricultural sector

Insufficient
capacity

Lack of
infrastructure

Lack of opera -
tional funds

07/21/10
Project Cycle Management (PCM)
objective tree
IR 1. Improved food insecurity

Unfavourable Improved crop Improved nutritional Improved income Improved Less

climate production quality animal post harvest
production losses
Higher product
prices
Less pests/ Improved Better soil Good Greater crop Better nutri -
diseases germplasm fertility agronomy diversity tional habits
High transport Less
costs diseases

Tolerant Inherently poor

More fair price
germplasm soils Theft
setting

Lack of phyto - Minimal use of Good market Sufficient

sanitary inputs inputs information fodder

IR 3.
Excess nutrient
mining
Adapted Good farmer
technologies knowledge
IR 4.
IR 2.
Relevant Appropriate
research organisation of
the agricultural sector
Sufficient
capacity
IR 5.
Improved
infrastructure
VLIR
invests Opera -
in the tional funds
project

07/21/10
Project Cycle Management (PCM)
Project
description
Overal Objectively Sources of Assumptions and
objectives verifiable verification preconditions
indicators
Specific " " "
objectives
Intermediate " " "
Results
Activities Means Costs "

07/21/10
 logical framework matrix
A B C D

PROJECT DESCRIPTION OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE INDICATORS (OVIs) SOURCES OF ASSUMPTIONS

INTERVENTION LOGIC VERIFICATION AND PRE
(SOV) CONDITIONS

1 Overall objectives (if both are applicable) •By 2015, Millenium Development Goal assessments show positive •National, provincial, •Political stability.
(OO) trends for the indicators related to rural livelihoods in the target areas. and district-level
To improve food security and human •By December 2010, at least 2 researchers at the partner statistics.
•Poverty assessment
nutrition of rural populations in the two institute, trained in the framework of the current project, are
reports.
provinces while sustaining the natural taking up leading roles in projects on soil fertility management
•Draft project
resource bases (Developmental). and writing proposals on ISFM to get extra funding.
proposals written by
To strengthen human and equipment
national partners.
capital through training and services
provided by the project (Academic).

2 Specific objectives (if both are applicable) •By December 2005, universities, international scientists, NGO •Annual IARC and •Linkages
(SO) partners, and farmers are planning and working together on the NARS, and NGO maintained among
Developmental: implementation of the project. reports. research and
1. To arrest resource degradation and •By December 2007, extension services and NGO’s dealing with •Newspaper articles development
enhance food security and human nutrition agricultural development and working in the target areas are •Peer-reviewed organizations.
through widespread adoption of sustainable aware of the ISFM interventions developed in the framework of journal articles. •Economic policies
resource management technologies for this project and disseminating them to other areas not initially •Quarterly report to provide incentives
cassava-based systems based on improved targeted. VLIR. for socially
varieties and system diversification. •By 2010, at least 20% farmers in targeted villages use profitable
Academic: improved proven ISFM technologies that arrest resource agricultural
2. To build local stakeholders’ capacity to degradation and enhance their food security and nutrition. diversification and
apply and disseminate improved resource
agricultural technologies with a special conservation.
focus on strengthening research-for- •Effective systems
development capacity at the target for technology
universities through degree-related training dissemination and
and improved laboratory capacity. demonstration.
•Sufficient
availability of
appropriate
•Sufficient regional
scientific staff
07/21/10 capacity.
 logical framework matrix
PROJECT DESCRIPTION OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE INDICATORS (OVIs) SOURCES OF ASSUMPTIONS
INTERVENTION LOGIC VERIFICATION AND PRE
(SOV) CONDITIONS

3 Intermediate results (ideally 3 1.1. By the end of 2005, at least two target villages in each of the two •Annual project •Sufficient
to 7 results) provinces are identified and bio-physically (soils, nutrient balances, etc) progress reports. secondary
1. Farming system domains and socio-economically (farmers’ resource endowments, access to •Peer-reviewed information
identified and characterized for markets, etc) characterized. scientific papers, at available.
developing ISFM options for cassava- 2.1. By the end of 2006, the potential role of at least two selected least two per DRC •Best-bet options
based systems (Characterization) legumes to enhance the productivity of cassava-based systems is promoter at the end developed
(Research-Capacity-Extension). unravelled and their contributions quantified both at the biophysical and of the project. elsewhere have
2. New knowledge obtained on soil socio-economic level. •University records. potential for
processes (e.g., restoration of 2.2. Throughout the project life, strategic research issues are addressed, •VLIR-documents. adaptation to
depleted soils, improved nutrient use based on questions identified during activities under IRs 3 and 4. •Annual Planning conditions in the
efficiency) for the efficient design of 3.1. By the end of 2005, a basket of best-bet ISFM options for cassava- workshop reports. DRC.
management practices that enhance based systems is identified in collaboration with national scientists, NGO •Dissemination •Effective
soil productivity in cassava-based partners, and farmer organisations in the target areas. materials in local participation of
systems (New knowledge). 3.2. By the end of 2006, at least 2 most promising ISFM options for languages. farmers and
(Research-Capacity) cassava-based systems are holistically evaluated under on-farm development
3. Appropriate field management conditions. partners.
practices based on ISFM for cassava- 4.1. By the end of 2007, seasonal field days, associated with on-farm
based systems developed and tested demonstration sites for ISFM, attract at least 200 farmers in each of the
on farmers’ fields (Management four target villages.
practices). (Capacity-Extension) 4.2. By end of 2010, guidelines and recommendations for ISFM in
4. ISFM technologies for cassava- cassava-based systems are developed and distributed to extension and
based systems validated and research institutions, operating in the target areas and beyond.
adapted on farm in benchmark areas 5.1. Each year, starting 2005, a planning and evaluation workshop is
(Adaptation and adoption). organised with the NARS.
(Extension-Capacity) 5.2. By end of 2010, at least 2 PhD and 6 MSc students obtain their
5. Capability of NARS to undertake degree within the project.
ISFM research for development 5.3. By end of 2010, at least 5 technicians from national systems and
enhanced (Capacity building). NGOs receive on-the-job training in ISFM for cassava-based systems.
(Capacity) 5.4. By end of 2010, a national symposium on ISFM is organised.

07/21/10
 logical framework matrix
PROJECT DESCRIPTION MEANS COSTS ASSUMPTIONS
INTERVENTION LOGIC AND PRE
CONDITIONS

4 Activities (3 to 5 activities per result) •Lab equipment, GPS •2000,- € Pre conditions
IR 1: Characterization units, etc •24,000,- € All conditions are
1.1. Collection of existing geographical information and information related to nutrient •Vehicles •11,600,- € present to allow
dynamics in cassava-based systems. •Office furniture, •14,900,- € the project to go
1.2. Diagnosis of farm level availability and current use of mineral and organic soil computers, etc •9,400,- € ahead as can be
amendments, their effect on productivity of cassava based farming systems, and other •Maintenance of •23,400,- € seen from the
constraints to enhanced and diversified crop production. material •1,900,- € project document
1.3. Selection of recommendation domains, representative villages, farmer typologies, •Liquid substances •20,600,- € and the
and participating farm households for targeting nutrient management technologies. •Consumer goods •11,350,- € stakeholder
1.4. Monitoring existing farm management and its results on nutrient balances, •Documentation and •39,500,- € meeting report.
economic performance, and rural livelihood status. books •6,000,- €
IR 2: New knowledge •Small material, •31,500,- €
2.1. Characterization of the current and potential sources of mineral and organic plant spare parts •500,- €
nutrients available to farmers in the areas and evaluate their short and medium term •Office supplies •7,500,- €
contributions to soil fertility. •Fuel •4,500,- €
2.2. Quantification of the extent and elucidation of the mechanisms (direct nutritional or •Communication •20,000,- €
indirect mulch effects) leading to improvement in nutrient use in cassava based •Topping up •10,800,- €
cropping systems after combining organic and mineral inputs. •Travel in Belgium •23,350,- €
2.3. Biophysical and socio-economic evaluation of the benefits of legumes integrated in •Local travel •3,250,- €
cassava systems to overall system productivity. •Local experts
IR 3: Management practices •Long term local
3.1. Farmer-participatory construction of a basket of best-bet ISFM options to enhance scholarships (one
productivity and diversification of cassava-based cropping systems. PhD and 3 MSc
3.2. Researcher-managed, on-farm, holistic (biophysical, socio-economic) evaluation of projects per region)
best-bet options for the development of ISFM packages in cassava cropping systems. •International travel
IR 4: Adaptation and adoption expenses
4.1. Farmers managed trials in collaboration with farmers in selected villages in the •Board and lodging
target areas. costs (per diems and
4.2. Train farmers, NGO's, extension workers, and researchers in specific research for hotel rates for 8
development approaches related to the development and dissemination of ISFM weeks per year)
packages. •Shipment of
4.3. Organize field days on ISFM in selected villages in the benchmark areas. samples for
IR 5: Capacity building advanced analysis
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.
07/21/10
5.3. Organize a national symposium on ISFM.
 Indicative operational plan
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

YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 YEAR 4 YEAR 5

Activity/Sub-activity
Q1 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 systems
1.1.
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
productivity
IR 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 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
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 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 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.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

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

07/21/10
 Detailed budget ANNEX5 :Lineb
Pro
a s
f.R
edb
.M
u
e
dg
rc
e
k
t
x
Co untry
:D RCo ngo
Projecttitle:AstrategyforrevivingthevitalbreadbasketoftheD
emocraticR epu blicofCongo
YEAR1 YEAR2 YEAR3 YEAR4 YEAR5 Total
A
. PREPARA
TORYCOST
S
A1
.Id
entifica
tio
norin
stru
ctio
nmissio
n
A2
.Oth
ers
B. INV
E ST
M E
N TCOST
S 27.800 9.800 37.600
B1Bu
ild
ings
B2Eq
uip
m ent 1 .000 1000 2 .000
B3Ve
hicles 21.000 3.000 24.000
B4Officefu
rniture 5 .800 5.800 11.600
B5Oth
ers
C. OPERA
TINGC
O S
TS 21.850 32.750 39.100 37.250 35.600 166.550
C1M
ainte
nanceo
fma
teria
l 1 .700 3 .300 3.300 3 .300 3 .300 14.900
C2L
iqu
idsu
bstance
s 1 .200 1 .700 2.300 2 .200 2 .000 9.400
C3C
onsu
m erg
oods 3 .000 4 .200 5.800 5 .400 5 .000 23.400
C4D
ocu
m e
n ta
tiona
n dboo
ks 500 500 500 200 200 1.900
C5S
m all ma
teria
l,spareparts 3 .500 4 .200 4.600 4 .300 4 .000 20.600
C6Officesupp
lies 1 .750 2 .400 2.400 2 .400 2 .400 11.350
C7F
uel 4 .000 6 .500 10.500 9 .500 9 .000 39.500
C8R
epro
graph
y
C9C
ommu
n ica
tion 1.200 1.200 1.200 1.200 1.200 6.000
C1
0Other
C1
0 .1
.Se
rvicecontracts
C.10.2
.To
ppin
gup 3.500 7.000 7.000 7.000 7.000 31.500
C.10.3
.No
n-in
tern
ationa
l tra
vel
C10.3
.1.Tra
vel inB
elg
ium 250 250 500
C1
0 .3
.2.L
oca
l tra
vel 1.500 1.500 1.500 1.500 1.500 7.500
D. PERSONNE
LCOST
S 500 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 4.500
D1P
erma
n e
ntlyex
p atria
tedp
e rso
n n
e l
D2L
ocale
xperts 500 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 4 .500
E. SCHOL
A RSHIP
S 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 20.000
E1 Gra
n ts
E.1
.1.Sh
orttermsch
o la
rsh
ipsinBe
lgiu
m
E.1
.2.L
o n
gte
rmsch
o larshipsinBe
lgiu
m
E.1
.2.Sh
orttermlo
cal sch
o la
rships
E.1
.1.L
o n
gte
rmlo
cal schola
rsh
ips 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 20.000
E2 Trav
e le
xpen
sesschola
rsh
ipstude
n ts
F. INT
E RNA
TIONA
LTRA
VELE
X PENSES 1.700 3.300 800 3.300 1.700 10.800
G. BOA
RDA
NDLODGINGCOS
TS 2.650 8.350 1.350 8.350 2.650 23.350
G1P
erdie
m 650 2.100 350 2.100 650 5 .850
G2Ho
telc
o sts 2.000 6.250 1.000 6.250 2.000 17.500
G3Re
pre
senta
tioncosts
G.3.2
.Re
pre
senta
tiond
u rin
gpre
para
tiono
fpro
ject
G.3
.1.Re
p re
sen
tatio
ndu
ringimpleme
n ta
tio
nofp
roje
ct
H. SHIPMENTCOS
TS 650 650 650 650 650 3.250
T
O T
A LA
-H: 59.150 59.850 46.900 54.550 45.600 266.050
I. MA
RGINF
O RF
O RINS
U FF
ICIE
N TBUD
G E
TARYESTIMA
TE (M
ax.5
% o
ftheA-Hto
tal) 2 .958 2.993 2.345 2 .728 2.280 13.303
TOTALA
-I: 62.108 62.843 49.245 57.278 47.880 279.353
J. A
DMINISTRAT
IONC
O S
TS 6 .211 6.284 4.925 5 .728 4.788 27.935
J1 InBelgium(lump
sum5%A-I) 3 .105 3.142 2.462 2 .864 2.394 13.968
J2 Loca
l (M
ax.5
% A
-I) 3 .105 3.142 2.462 2 .864 2.394 13.968
OVERA
LL.T
O T
.(A
-J) 68.318 69.127 54.170 63.005 52.668 307.288
All rowsn
eedtob
eco
m p
lete
dons
u b
m iss
iono
fth
efu
lly
-fle
d g
edp
ropo
sal.

07/21/10
 Other items
Ethics
Falcification, fabrication, Plagiarism
Issues: duplicate publication
conflict of interest
sensitive material
possibly unethical research
ownership of data
authorship

07/21/10
 Other items
Authorship
earned (first) versus honorary (last)
who should be an author ?

07/21/10
 Nice to cite ...

07/21/10
 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
07/21/10
 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
07/21/10
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

07/21/10
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
07/21/10
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”

07/21/10
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 Harkonnen
Brian 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
07/21/10
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

07/21/10
 Suggested Readings

07/21/10
 Suggested readings
Davis, 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.

07/21/10