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Research Skills and Data Analysis

Module description

In this module you will explore the core principles of research in biomedical and healthcare sciences. You will be introduced to the whole research processes, from formulating a hypothesis to scientific publication.  You will also build awareness of diversity of scientific literature, critical assessment of study designs and published studies, and evaluation of research outputs.  A core focus of the module is developing your skills in data analysis and interpretation of diverse biomedical and healthcare research data, through a series of hands-on workshops.  By developing a research proposal and presentation, the module will help you develop transferrable skills including teamwork, project management and scientific communication. This module provides the foundation for all future higher modules in the degree programme.

Module aims - intentions of the module

In this module you will develop an understanding of the research processes that underlie biosciences and healthcare research. You will explore study design, hypothesis generation and principals of research ethics. You will develop the skills to assess the quality of different sources of information, critically appraise scientific literature, and propose scientific methodologies and experimental designs to address research questions. You will also explore the use and abuse of statistical results, erroneous and misleading presentation of results. Through a series of workshops, you will explore how ethical considerations impact on research design.  The examples used in this module will also build your awareness of wider issues of representation within research, such as representation of the Global South, ethnicity, genetics, and gender/sex. Overall, this module links with our research strengths at Exeter, providing an integrated view of the research environment in biomedical and healthcare sciences.

A key aspect of this module is to build your research and transferrable skills. Through a series of workshops that will draw on real-world research data, you will develop your skills in data analysis. This will build on the content from skills modules in Year 1 and earlier in Year 2, providing further practice in the construction and testing of statistical hypotheses, data management using spreadsheets, use of statistical software, interpretation of statistical results, and presentation of numerical data. Analysis of qualitative data will also be addressed. Assessment will take the form of quizzes and a group research proposal with a presentation.

Graduate attributes: as part of this module, you will develop the key employability skills in teamwork, project management, and preparing and delivering persuasive presentations.

The module aligns with sustainable development goals (SDGs) SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) ensuring knowledge into physiology and healthy lives along with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Propose appropriate study designs in to address questions in pre-clinical and clinical biomedical research, considering the ethical implications of undertaking research on laboratory models and humans.
• 2. Analyse and interpret healthcare research data using frequently used methodologies and explain the ethical implications of healthcare research
• 3. Select and apply appropriate statistical tests to analyse biomedical and healthcare research data.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Identify specific and achievable research questions, based on critical appraisal of research literature.
• 5. Apply a range of computer programs for the analysis of biomedical and healthcare research data.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Work effectively in a team to deliver a project in a specific timeframe.
• 7. Deliver clear and effective scientific presentations.

Syllabus plan

In this module, you will develop essential skills for evaluating and conducting high-quality biomedical research. You start by exploring how to critical appraise scientific literature, helping you assess the reliability and impact of research studies.

1. You will learn about different research methods, from preclinical and animal models to human studies, including randomised controlled trials and cohort data analysis.  You will also look at systematic reviews and meta-analyses, which are key tools for making sense of large amounts of research data.
2. Both quantitative and qualitative methods, from epidemiology to service evaluation will be examined.  You will also explore the use of genetic methods in research, including how population genetic analyses is presented and represented in studies.
3. Finally, we will present the ethical considerations present in both preclinical and clinical research, ensuring you know how to present both responsible and meaningful scientific research.

Accessibility Statement:

As part of this module, you will be required to undertake group work, deliver a presentation in class and actively participate in discussions towards your summative assessment. A clear commitment to group presentations and in class discussions is expected.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

There is no change in format of the  proposal and presentation when you refer or defer your assessment relative to normal reports.  The proposal and presentation will be assessed as an individual piece of work.

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral - if you have failed the module (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Ruxton and Colegrave 4th Edition; Experimental Design for the Life Sciences; ISBN 978-0-19-871735-5. 
• Boyle and Ramsay (2017) Writing for Science Students; ISBN 978-1-137-57151-9. 

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Module ELE page containing formative quizzes and access to on-line learning resources

Key words search

Research Processes, Study Design, Hypothesis Generation, Research Ethics, Critical Appraisal, Data Analysis, Statistical Interpretation, Qualitative Research and Representation in Research