introduction to study skills and research methods unit leader: dr james betts unit code: hl10040...

Introduction to Study Skills and Research Methods

Unit Leader: Dr James Betts

Unit Code: HL10040

J.Betts@bath.ac.uk

Objectives:

• Develop your computer skills• Introduce you to the scientific method• Expand your understanding of research design• Learn to describe and analyse data appropriately• Gain the ability to independently assess the value

of scientific evidence • Improve your ability to write scientifically.

Lecture Schedule• Tuesdays 1115• All in room 6W 1.2 (i.e. here)• Weeks 1-9. • Reading for next week:

• Greenhalgh 2006 (at least Ch. 3 & 4)

Lecture Schedule

Week Topic

23

4

5

6

7

8

9

Recognising Research

Descriptive Statistics II

Reliability and Validity

Measurement Errors

Mid-Term Test

Hypothesis Testing

Careers Session & Revision.

Descriptive Statistics I

Computer Laboratory Classes

• Thursdays 10.15 am• Room CB 5.13

• Thursdays 11.15 pm• Room CB 4.17

• Weeks 2-10.

Surnames A-J

Surnames K-Z

CPU Lab ScheduleWeek Topic

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Computer Skills I

Information Retrievals

Introduction to SPSS

Descriptive Statistics

Computer Skills II

Normal Distribution

Inferential Statistics I

Inferential Statistics II.

Information Retrievals

Seminars and Tutorials• These are scheduled for on Tuesdays at 0915• Exact time and location dependant on personal tutor• Seminars in weeks 4, 7 & 10 (PG)• Tutorials in weeks 5, 8 & 11 (Personal Tutor)

• Topics:

‘Critically Evaluating Scientific Literature’

Seminars and Tutorials• These are scheduled for on Mondays at 1615• Exact time and location dependant on personal tutor• Seminars in weeks 4, 7 & 10 (PG)• Tutorials in weeks 5, 8 & 11 (Personal Tutor)

• Topics:

‘Referencing Styles’

Seminars and Tutorials• These are scheduled for on Mondays at 1615• Exact time and location dependant on personal tutor• Seminars in weeks 4, 7 & 10 (PG)• Tutorials in weeks 5, 8 & 11 (Personal Tutor)

• Topics:

‘Scientific Writing’

www.bath.ac.uk/~jb335/

Assessment• Mid-Term Test (40%)

– A variety of short answer questions covering the lecture material delivered up to week 7.

• Coursework (60%)– A range of research scenarios will be described to

you in week 6 (5th November)– You will need to review the area of investigation,

analyse the data and evaluate the research design.

Scientific ‘Truth’

Research Questions:

1 - Does smoking cause cancer?

2 - Is it safer to give birth at home or in hospital?

3 - Does regular breakfast facilitate weight-loss?

4 - Does homeopathy alleviate backache?

5 - Does the MMR vaccine cause autism?

6 - Do Statins reduce heart disease risk?

Possible Considerations:

-Study Population (who, how many & why?)

-Experimental Design (what to compare & how?)

-Context (where, when & why?)

-Intervention (define and justify)

-Outcomes (define and justify)

-Sources of Bias

-Ethics

J.Betts@bath.ac.uk @DrBSteamjets