| Unit name | Oral Health Research |
|---|---|
| Unit code | DENT20800 |
| Credit points | 0 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Hague |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Dental School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
The Teaching Unit comprises 3 Elements: 1. Research Methods 2. Critical Appraisal Projects 3. Elective Research Project. This Unit spans years 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Dental Curriculum and introduces students to oral health research, including epidemiological and clinical trial study design, critical appraisal, data interpretation and evaluation of evidence. The Elective Research Project may include qualitative or quantitative research, and this Unit aims to provide students with the knowledge and experience that they will need to be able to design, implement and report on a study of their own. The Unit has its own Blackboard course 'Oral Health Research' which is used throughout the Unit for learning activities, resources and weblinks, student feedback and staff feedback to students. In year 2 the Element of Research Methods provides a series of e-lectures and tutorials to cover the different types of study design, and also interpretation of different methods of statistical analyses. In Year 3 Critical Appraisal Projects will be applied by evaluating scientific papers related to a specific topic in dentistry. The work will involve self-directed learning, both independently and as a team. This Element will be coordinated through Blackboard and will entail the production of a Wiki (i.e. a series of web pages on Blackboard) by each group. A Seminar at the end of term 3.1 will detail the way the Element works and will demonstrate how to make a Wiki within Blackboard. In addition students will critically appraise one chosen scientific paper and relate the findings to at least two other papers. At the end of year 3, two introductory lectures will prepare students to think about the elective and will cover issues such as the difference between research and clinical audit. Guidance will be given through the ethical procedures needed prior to conducting the project. Year 4 will involve preparation for the project, including a literature review of a student's chosen area of study. The Elective research period is normally 4 weeks in July at the end of year 4. Students subsequently give a presentation on their project to tutors and the rest of the year. The completed written report will be handed in at the end of October in year 5.
