Course Title

Methods in Biomedical Research

Course Number

7000408

Instructor Name

Mohammad Qneibi

Contact Information

[email protected]

Semester(s) and academic year(s)

First Semester 4

Compulsory / Elective

Compulsory

This course will cover the following subjects 

• Types of Research • Developing a Research Hypothesis and Proposal • Chance, Bias and Confounding • Accuracy, Reliability and Validity • Types of Data • Statistical Concepts and Techniques • Hypothesis Testing • Regression analysis • Sample size calculation • Data Manipulation • Use of SPSS and PRISM

Teaching and learning methods

A variety of methods will be used including lectures, active participatory methods, e-learning/interactive tools for learning and self-assessment, computer demonstrations and practical exercises using computers, guided reading, group study, and individual study

TYPE                      HOURS

Independent Study    65

Teaching                    35

Total study time      100

To provide the skills to understand how to apply research methods and statistics to evaluate the body of evidence in biomedicine By the end of this module you will be able to: • Understand what a research hypothesis is and the concept of hypothesis testing • Understand the structure of a research hypothesis and how to develop it using aims and objectives • Understand the structure of how to develop a research project from a research hypothesis • Differentiate the value of information from different types of study designs and different sources • Explain the value, nature, uses and limitations of a range of quantitative research methods • Undertake quality checking and data manipulation as necessary • Identify the appropriate use of statistical methods

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• Understand the nature and value of a research hypothesis and what hypothesis testing is.
• Understand how important a research hypothesis is for the development of a research proposal 
• Understand the value, nature, uses, and limitations of a range of research methods 
• Identify and justify the value of different sources of data in drawing conclusions from published literature 
• Understand how to use a variety of statistical techniques
• Understand the differences between various statistical techniques 
• Know how to use SPSS and GraphPad Prism software to manage, present and analyze data 

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Identify the appropriate use of quantitative methods 
• Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate use of statistical techniques 
• Identify and perform appropriate data presentation and summary 

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Use Information Technology to analyze and present research findings 
• Organize your own activities to achieve the desired outcome within a limited amount of time 
• Direct your own learning 
• Exercise initiative and personal responsibility 

Cognitive Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Differentiate the value of information from different types of study designs and different sources 
• Critically assess research carried out by others, evaluate its usefulness for your own practice 
• Differentiate between the different types of data 
• Identify appropriate statistical techniques for data analysis 
• Apply knowledge of effective communication skills in written format 

Assessment Strategy

The assessment for the module provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes.

There will be one assessment: - a report of the analysis of a set of data appropriate to the student’s discipline

Assessment 1: Analysis of a set of data appropriate to your discipline (100%) You will demonstrate that you can:

• Analyze a set of data using GraphPad PRISM

• Modify and transform the data to create derived data

• Summarize the data in tabular or graphical form to publication-quality

• Make a comparison between groups using appropriate statistical techniques

• Report analyses to publication standard.

Assessment requirements

You must pass the module overall at 50% or above. The assessment must be passed. Candidates who fail the module at the first attempt will be permitted to re-sit a supplementary 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%.