Research Methodology in Agricultural Sciences

Erscheinungsjahr 2026
ISBN: 978-981-951891-3
Verlag: Springer

Buch, Englisch, 689 Seiten, Format (B × H): 215 mm x 285 mm, Gewicht: 1976 g

This authored textbook provides a comprehensive guide to the methods and methodologies currently used in agricultural research, covering the entire process from conceptualisation to reporting. Recognising the interdisciplinary nature of agricultural science, the book integrates both biophysical and social science approaches, including experimental design, on-farm research, surveys, qualitative and mixed-methods research, and impact evaluation. It also addresses both quantitative and qualitative data analysis.

In addition to methodological guidance, the book offers practical support in scientific writing, thesis development, journal article publication, and science communication. Theories and concepts are clearly explained using real-world examples, flow diagrams, photographs, and case studies to enhance understanding.

Designed to support students and early-career researchers, this book helps ease the steep learning curve associated with conducting credible, ethical, and impactful research. It will be a valuable resource for students, faculty, researchers, professionals, agricultural scientists, and policy makers in both national and international contexts.

Zielgruppe

Upper undergraduate

Autoren/Hrsg.

Njeri Mugwe, Jayne

Runo, Steven

Fachgebiete

• Technische Wissenschaften Verfahrenstechnik | Chemieingenieurwesen | Biotechnologie Biotechnologie
• Mathematik | Informatik EDV | Informatik Daten / Datenbanken
• Naturwissenschaften Agrarwissenschaften Agrarwissenschaften

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Part 1. NATURE OF RESEARCH.- Chapter 1. Foundations of agricultural research.- Chapter 2. The research process, key concepts and terminologies.- Chapter 3. From topic selection to research objectives and hypothesis.- Chapter 4. Literature review.- Part 2. RESEARCH PROPOSAL AND ETHICS.- Chapter 5. Research proposal.- Chapter 6. Literature review.- Part 3. RESEARCH DESIGNS.- Chapter 7. Overview of research designs.- Chapter 8. Fundamentals of experimentation.- Chapter 9. Common experiments and field layout.- Chapter 10. Farming systems research and on-farm experimentation.- Chapter 11. Research designs for impact evaluation studies.- Chapter 12. Non-experimental designs-surveys.- Chapter 13. Non-Experimental designs-qualitative and participatory research approaches.- Chapter 14. Common designs for qualitative research.- Chapter 15. Mixed research designs.- Chapter 16. Sampling.- Part 4. DATA COLLECTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES.- Chapter 17. Data collection in biophysical experiments.- Chapter 18. Methods and tools of data in non-experimental designs I.- Chapter 19. Methods and tools of data in non-experimental designs II.- Part 5. DATA PROCESSING, ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION.- Chapter 20. Quantitative data analysis i.- Chapter 21. Quantitative data analysis ii.- Chapter 22. Survey data analysis using statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS).- Chapter 23. Qualitative data analysis.- Chapter 24. Data presentation and visualization.- Part 6. REPORTING AND DISSEMINATION OF FINDINGS.- Chapter 25. Disseminating  research findings.- Chapter 26. Structure of a scientific paper.- Chapter 27. Journal selection, submission, and review of manuscript.- Chapter 28. Scientific writing skills and presentations.

Über Autor(innen)

Prof. Jayne Mugwe is an Associate Professor of Integrated Soil Fertility Management in the Department of Agricultural Science and Technology at Kenyatta University. She joined the university in 2009 after a 20-year tenure at the Kenya Forestry Research Institute. Prof. Mugwe has taught research methods courses at the University level for about 17 years and brings immense experience from over 30 years of active research.. She has held several leadership roles at Kenyatta University, including Departmental Chair and Acting Registrar of Research, Innovation, and Outreach. Prof. Mugwe has implemented numerous multidisciplinary research projects and has supervised more than 40 master’s and doctoral students. She has published extensively, with over 140 publications in journals of international repute.

Prof. Steven Runo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology at Kenyatta University. Prof Runo specializes in molecular biology and biotechnology with research interests on leveraging modern tools in molecular biology to overcome biotic and abiotic constraints of food production. He has coordinated several research projects, particularly in parasitic plant biology and has published extensively in this field. Prof. Runo currently heads a laboratory investigating the molecular interactions between parasitic plants and their host crops, aiming to mitigate their impact on agricultural productivity in Africa. In recognition of his scientific contributions, he was awarded the Royal Society Africa Prize in 2020.