Essential Skills for Science and Technology

The essential guide for any student embarking on their studies in the sciences or technology, this book introduces the core academic skills students need to learn effectively in this area and to prepare them for success in their (science) university science studies. It focuses on three key skills areas: research, argumentation and critical analysis; quantitative methods; and the conventions of written and oral communication.It explains how to read scientific literature and understand its different language style, terminology, data and argument analysis, and conflicting interpretations. The book also explains how to take data from a range of sources to help student's construct-or arrive at-their own perspective on a scientific issue and how to present and communicate it in both written and oral forms. It also explains in great detail the basic laws of mathematics for the basis to learning in any branch of science and can be used as a reference tool and source. KEY FEATURES * New design to ensure maximum accessibility of information * Step-by-step skills development in each chapter * Clarifies how to read scientific literature and understand its different language style * Explains how to collate data and construct a unique perspective on a scientific issue and present it in both written and oral forms * Provides instruction in the fundamentals of mathematics and quantitative methods * Addresses common hurdles faced by students, based on the authors' years of experience in the Student Learning Centre at Flinders University