2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MEDR5320M Capturing and Handling Data in Research

15 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Rebecca Hawkins
Email: r.hawkins@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisite qualifications

As per students parent programme

Module replaces

MEDR5100M: Capturing data for researchMEDR5110M: Handling data in research

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

This proposed module is an introduction to the collection and handling of health research data. It will include topics on: social inclusion in research; sampling from populations; types of data; collecting data through questionnaires; how scales and tests are used to collect data; and how data are collected and described using various fractions such as rates, ratios, risks and odds; recording quantitative and qualitative data in suitable formats; using computers in the analysis of data; the importance of the statistics that summarise quantitative data; and an introduction to the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. Critical appraisal of published research will underpin theory.

Learning outcomes
Once a student has successfully completed the module and its assignments he or she should be able to:

- select subjects for a research study sample - including the taking of random samples from study populations
- sample populations in a way that takes account of social inclusion and diversity
- determine whether clinical tests and research measures are repeatable and valid - including the calculation of sensitivity, specificity and predictive value;
- describe, explain and understand standardization, prevalence, incidence and other routinely collected data;
- calculate from research findings: basic rates, ratios, risks and odds
- understand the differences between types of data;
- appraise critically descriptions of samples, scales, tests and measures in the healthcare literature.
- collect and record data in a form suitable for its efficient analysis;
- use flexibly a range of methods to enter data into a computer application that is designed for the analysis of research data;
- understand the importance of differences between types of data;
- carry out data analysis using a computer application;
- describe data using text, tables, charts and figures;
- calculate and understand descriptive statistics - especially summaries and distributions;
- appraise critically descriptions of data, their distribution, and summary measures of average and spread.

Skills outcomes
This module provides students with a critical awareness of research planning and methods and develops their research skills. It will include topics on: social inclusion in research; sampling from populations; types of data; how scales and tests are used to collect data; how data are collected and described using various fractions such as rates, ratios, risks and odds; and critical appraisal of published research. This module provides students with a critical awareness of research planning and methods and develops their research skills. It will include topics on: recording quantitative and qualitative data in suitable formats; using computers in the analysis of data; the importance of the statistics that summarise quantitative data; an introduction to the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data; and critical appraisal of published research.

Syllabus

The teaching style for this module will be active and participative. In a series of seminars with group activities, students will be introduced to: social inclusion in research, sampling from populations and types of data. A problem-based learning method will be used to lead students to knowledge and understanding of: how to select representative samples of subjects; how to understand and calculate population fractions, rates, and standardized rates and ratios; how scales and tests perform in research and clinical practice - their repeatability and validity (sensitivity, specificity and predictive value); how to display qualitative data; and how to undertake simple quantitative data analysis and display findings in tables, charts and figures. In a lecture, students will be introduced to: data distributions, central measures and spread. A problem-based learning method will be used to lead students to knowledge and understanding of: research. A quiz format with accompanying mini-lecture will be used to reinforce learning on basic statistics and introduce one new statistical concept. In a practical class students will learn how to use the computer for the analysis of data. The class will work together to appraise critically how research data are introduced, described and dealt with in published research.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Problem Based Learning	1	2.00	2.00
Problem Based Learning	1	4.25	4.25
Problem Based Learning	2	3.00	6.00
Interactive Lecture	1	1.50	1.50
Lecture	1	1.50	1.50
Practical	1	2.50	2.50
Seminar	2	1.00	2.00
Seminar	2	1.75	3.50
Independent online learning hours			5.00
Private study hours			121.75
Total Contact hours			23.25
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Independent online learning will follow on from the formal classes and will make use of a portfolio of materials. Students will also be expected to work in their own time, researching taught and online course work, building up their knowledge using the guidance provided by formal taught and online components of the module.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative assessment will involve monitoring students’ progress through discussion during and following seminars and group activities. In addition students will complete in their own time an online test (e.g. MCQ/EMQ) with automated feedback that will be marked as a formative assessment

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Problem Sheet	Individual completion of workbook begun in class activity	30.00
Critique	~~1000 Words	40.00
Practical Report	Locating and critically apraising summary statistics in published literature	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The dates on which coursework is set and submitted varies each time the module is delivered. Clear guidance will be given to students at the start of the module.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 06/04/2016

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