| Unit name | Statistics and Research Methods |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ORDSM0057 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Sam Leary |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Dental School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
Medicine and dentistry are rapidly developing fields; keeping up to date with published literature will be essential in future careers, to be able to provide the best possible clinical care to patients. The aim of this unit is to provide you with the skills needed to understand and critically appraise published research papers; these skills will be essential for your dissertations, and well as your future careers.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit will provide you with the skills to fulfill the following Programme ILOs:
An overview of content
A mix of didactic teaching through e-lectures, and interactive consolidation of learning through tutor-led tutorials will cover the following broad areas: key design features for different study designs; core statistical concepts necessary for accurate interpretation and presentation of basic statistical analyses; reviewing and critically appraising the published scientific literature.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
Evidence-based practice and critical appraisal may have been covered either very briefly or not at all in your undergraduate degree. By the end of this unit, you will have developed confidence in understanding and interpreting published research papers. You will also appreciate that just because a study was published in a peer-reviewed journal does not mean that it is free from error, or that its conclusions are appropriate.
Learning Outcomes:
You will be expected to watch some e-lectures (1 or 2, depending on the topic, maximum 30 minutes per e-lecture) before attending an in person 2 hour tutorial for each of the eight topics included in the course:
Introduction to Study Design
Summarising Data
Randomised Controlled Trials
Understanding Statistical Inference
Observational Studies
Investigating Hypotheses
Assessing Associations
Systematic Reviews and Meta Analysis.
This flipped classroom approach to learning allows you to be introduced to the topic via the e-lecture, then have the didactic content reinforced via interactive tutorials with pre-prepared materials but also plenty of time to ask questions. If necessary, specific sections of the e-lectures can then be rewatched after the tutorial, to ensure that you have a complete understanding of all the content. The e-lectures will remain available, so can also be used for revision at the end of the course.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will watch a series of eight e-lectures, each with an associated in person tutorial. During each tutorial you will take part in either an e-voting quiz or a study design exercise, plus work on sets of questions with support from the tutor. At the end of the course there will be a session to introduce the two summative assignments, and also an exam revision session which will include completion of a mock exam paper with support from the tutor.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Assignment 1 - Interpret and appraise a scientific paper (25%)
Assignment 2 - Write a short scientific report. This will assess your ability to select and present appropriate statistical analyses, accurately interpret results and draw sensible conclusions (35%)
End of unit assessment (40%) - a 2-hour closed book exam consisting of multiple choice and short open answer questions.
Engaging with all the e-lecture viewing, attending tutorials where you will have ample opportunity to ask questions, and taking part in the assignment overview and exam revision sessions will put you in the best position possible to pass all the assessments.
When assessment does not go to plan
If you do not pass the unit, you will normally be given the opportunity to take a reassessment as per the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes. Decisions on the award of reassessment will normally be taken after all taught units of the year have been completed. Reassessment will normally be in a similar format to the original assessment that has been failed.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ORDSM0057).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
