Research Skills for Biomedical Science 2

Learning Outcomes

Cognitive Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Differentiate the value of information from different types of study design and different sources (Programme LO A4 and B1)
• Critically assess research carried out by others, evaluate its usefulness for your own practice (Programme LO A2, A4 and D2)
• Identify appropriate statistical techniques for data analysis (Programme LO A2, A4.B1, B2, B4 and B5)
• Apply knowledge of effective communication skills in written format (Programme LO A2, A3, B1, B2, B5, C4 and D2)
• Differentiate between the different types of data (Programme LO A4, B1 and B5)

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Identify and perform appropriate data presentation and summary (Programme LO C3, C4 and D2)
• Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate use of statistical techniques (Programme LO B1, B2 and B5)
• Identify the appropriate use of quantitative methods (Programme LO A2, B1, B2, B4 and B5)

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Understand how to use a variety of statistical techniques (Programme LO C3)
• Understand the differences between various statistical techniques (Programme LO C3)
• Understand the value, nature, uses and limitations of a range of research methods (Programme LO A2)
• Know how to construct a research hypothesis and develop it into a research proposal (Programme LO A4, B1, B2, B4, B5, C4 and D2)
• Identify and justify the value of different sources of data in drawing conclusions from published literature (Programme LO A4)
• Identify what appropriate Research Governance would be required for a research project (Programme LO A3)
• Know how to use SPSS and GraphPad Prism software to manage, present and analyse data (Programme LO C4))

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Direct your own learning (Programme LO C1, C2, C3 and C4)
• Use Information Technology to analyse and present research findings (Programme LO C3and C4)
• Use Information Technology to analyse and present research findings (Programme LO C3and C4)
• Exercise initiative and personal responsibility (Programme LO C1, C2, C3 and C4)

• Types of Research
• Developing a Research Hypothesis using aims and objectives
• Develop a three year PhD project from a research hypothesis
• Apply appropriate statistical methods to analyse collected data.
• Research impact

Teaching and learning methods

A single half-day workshop will be held at the beginning of the module which will include a recap of the content of RSBS1 and interactive sessions where students will be able to discuss their first rotation project using the mark scheme from this module.

Students will also have a minimum of 2 opportunities to discuss their project proposal with their proposed supervisor during the course of the module.

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

Statistics for the terrified.

SPSS.

PS: Power and sample size calculation.

Confidence interval analysis.

UCLA Statistical Computing Resources.

Textbooks

Campbell MJ, Machin D & Walters SJ (2007). Medical Statistics: A textbook for the health sciences.

Bland M (2000). An Introduction to medical statistics. Oxford: Oxford Publications.

Bowling A (2001). Eesearch Methods in Health: Investigating health and health services. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.

Kirkwood BR & Sterne JAC (2003). Essential Medical Statistics. Blackwell Science Ltd.

Machin D & Campbell MJ (2005). The design of studies or medical research. John Wiley & Sons.

Field A (2009). Discovering statistics using SPSS for Windows. Sage Publications.

Assessment strategy

The assessment for the module provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes. There will be one assessment:

• The development and written presentation of a research proposal.

Assessment: Develop a research proposal including a literature review and protocol design (2000 words) (100%)

You will consider all aspects that contribute to a successful proposal for a research question related to your PhD project.

You will:

• Identify an area of research interest.
• Establish the context for the study and demonstrate a need for it.
• Establish a research hypothesis with aims and objectives.
• Show how the proposed study will meet that need, using the methods proposed.
• Give assurances that the study will be ethical.
• Indicate how the information will collected and analysed.
• Indicate what the future implications of the study will be.

You must pass the module overall at 50% or above. The assessment must be passed, no compensation allowed. Candidates who fail the module at the first attempt will be permitted to submit a re-written assessment as agreed by the module lead. Candidates who achieve at least 50% overall at the second attempt will be permitted to pass the module and the module mark will be capped at 50%.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.