2019/20 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

EPIB3035 Research Methods for Clinical Sciences

10 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Richard Feltbower
Email: r.g.feltbower@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

Pre-requisite qualifications

As per programme specification.

This module is mutually exclusive with

MEDP5321M

Research Methods

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

N/A

Objectives

The objectives of this module are to:

1. Provide an understanding of study design and research methods as applicable to clinical sciences
2. Provide skills in data presentation and appropriate statistical analysis of data to support the research project

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to:

- classify the different types of research study and distinguish which type to use to address a clinical research question
- evaluate ethical issues relating to research projects
- identify and evaluate potential sources of error and bias in laboratory and clinical research
- critically analyse research results and compile in an appropriate format suitable for publication
- critically apply appropriate standard statistical methods to the analysis of experimental data
- interpret output derived from statistical analyses correctly
- use Stata software to process data appropriately and carry out statistical analysis proficiently

Skills outcomes
Appropriate presentation of data in tables and figures
Use of Stata for statistical analysis of data.

Syllabus

Students will learn about different types of research study design, the importance of ethics in research, issues such as uncertainty or bias pertinent to both laboratory research and data analysis, how to undertake descriptive analyses, present research data effectively and how to apply statistical methods (e.g. regression modelling) to the analysis of data through a series of lectures, tutorials and workshops. In particular, hands on workshops will allow students to practice using standard statistical methods in Stata and interpreting their output in order to prepare them for the types of statistical analysis they may need in their research projects.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Practical	6	2.00	12.00
Tutorial	2	1.50	3.00
Independent online learning hours			25.00
Private study hours			50.00
Total Contact hours			25.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Students will work on example problems and scenarios to practice presentation and the summarising of data conveyed in tables and figures, read medical journal papers to identify study type and examples of good and bad practice in data presentation, and practice statistical analysis of data. They will be expected to make use of the module reading list to gain further understanding of the main learning outcomes.
Self-directed reading will cover other additional research methods which may be appropriate to their own Research Project such as ROC analysis, survival analysis, or dealing with repeated measures (longitudinal data) and missing data.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored through classroom discussion with tutors and through feedback from Stata practical questions. This feedback will be both oral, in the work sessions, and written for practice problems. Some feedback will be through the VLE/Minerva and there will be a dedicated Stata drop-in session and exam revision tutorial near the end of the module for students to clarify any questions they may have and to communicate comments about the module.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Computer Exercise	4 questions based on Stata practical sessions	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Resits will be of the same format as the original piece of coursework.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr 30 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 12/12/2018 10:48:53

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