| Unit name | Statistics & Research Methods |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MEDIM4003 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Harris |
| 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 Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
This unit will help you understand key features of study design and how to design effective studies to address common research questions. You will also be able to describe the core statistical concepts necessary to be able to accurately interpret and present statistical analyses, which will equip you with important research skills. By engaging with this unit your confidence around understanding study design and statistical interpretation of published research will increase, which will enable you to review and critically appraise scientific literature.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
Being confident around research approaches and statistical analyses will enable a sound basis for your other units on the MSc in Reproduction and Development, especially your research project, BRMSM0034. This unit will improve your ability to critique and understand research-driven evidence.
An overview of content
The majority of the materials are delivered using a “flipped-classroom” model, where you will complete reading material and preparatory work asynchronously, and work on live problem-solving during synchronous tutorials. This method will enable you to be introduced to new concepts in pre-recorded materials that can be engaged with more than once, then these ideas will be discussed and brought to life in an interactive live tutorial. You will be introduced to simple and more complex statistical concepts and will have the opportunity to collectively work through examples in tutorials. Study design aspects will be delivered via a mixture of lectures and tutorials.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will have increased confidence when reading scientific papers, in understanding numerical output and interpreting findings. You will also have a more trained critical eye for understanding study design issues.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this unit, students will be able to:
This unit is composed of a mixture of live, online (synchronous) and asynchronous learning including small group tutorials, tasks and lectures meaning you will study by a flexible blended-learning approach. You will be required to engage with asynchronous pre-recorded materials before the complementary online live tutorial sessions that are timetabled to run at the beginning of the first teaching block, and live in-person tutorials at the beginning of TB2. Asynchronous resources are available to you when you start your studies and can be accessed at any time.
Collaborative discussion forums will support your engagement and virtual presence on the unit, providing opportunities for peer learning, support and feedback to foster a feeling of belonging to our online community of practice.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
A short formative task using data extracted from a study will be used to prepare your second summative assessment. Students will be expected to prepare a table of summary data and a CONSORT flow diagram. Feedback will be provided individually and in a group session. This task will be set during the January teaching workshop or soon afterwards.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Coursework - Paper Interpretation (40%) (ILO1)
Coursework – Scientific Report (60%) (ILO2)
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. MEDIM4003).
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 assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
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.
