Postgraduate Course: Research Methods and Data Analysis (B) (VESC11234)
Course Outline
| School | Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The research methods and data analysis course focuses on an understanding of scientific and statistical concepts; scientific investigation including the importance of collecting data of the highest possible quality; efficient data analysis using appropriate statistical methods and statistical and data software packages (the main stats package used will be R); as well as gaining the appropriate ethical approval. |
| Course description |
This five-week course is fully taught online through a mixture of recorded presentations, formative activities and asynchronous discussion.
The course will cover a range of topics over the five weeks, including scientific & research methods; hypothesis and quantitative and qualitative study design; research data & statistics; data analysis and presenting data.
At the end of this course, students will be able to apply scientific and statistical methods to actual research projects.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Block 2 (Sem 1) |
| Course Start Date |
24/10/2022 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 13,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
85 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Formative:
- Weekly MCQs based on key topics.
- Discussion Boards
Summative:
1) 20 MCQs at week 3 (50%)
2) 20 MCQs at the end of the course (50%)
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| Feedback |
All assignments will be marked and feedback provided within a period of 15 working days following submission (excluding holidays periods whereby the University of closed, e.g. over the Christmas period).
Opportunities for informal feedback arise within the course discussion boards and live sessions as well as through email discussions. Formal feedback and feedforward will be provided only on coursework assignments and on formative activities.
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of scientific and basic statistical concepts
- Undertake critical evaluations of a range of numerical and graphical data and understand how to communicate findings
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Reading List
| The course reading list will be provided via the University¿s Resource List service and a link will be provided on the Learn course. A maximum of three essential reading items will be given each week with further reading as required. Additional resources will be provided, making full use of university electronic library, Learn, Media Hopper and other online resources. Other support material will be available through external open-access websites. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Knowledge and skills will include:
A. Research and Enquiry
Graduates of the University will be able to create new knowledge and opportunities for learning through the process of research and enquiry. This may be understood in terms of the following:
- be able to identify, define and analyse problems and identify or create processes to solve them
- be able to exercise critical judgment in creating new understanding
- be ready to ask key questions and exercise rational enquiry
- be able to critically assess existing understanding and the limitations of their own knowledge and recognise the need to regularly challenge all knowledge
- search for, evaluate and use information to develop their knowledge and understanding
- have an informed respect for the principles, methods, standards, values and boundaries of their discipline(s) and the capacity to question these
- understand economic, legal, ethical, social, cultural and environmental issues in the use of information.
B. Personal and Intellectual Autonomy
Graduates of the University will be able to work independently and sustainably, in a way that is informed by openness, curiosity and a desire to meet new challenges. This may be understood in terms of the following:
- be independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning, and are committed to continuous reflection, self-evaluation and self-improvement
- be able to make decisions on the basis of rigorous and independent thought, taking into account ethical and professional issues
- be able to use collaboration and debate effectively to test, modify and strengthen their own views
- be intellectually curious and able to sustain intellectual interest
- be able to respond effectively to unfamiliar problems in unfamiliar contexts
C. Communication
Graduates of the University will recognise and value communication as the tool for negotiating and creating new understanding, collaborating with others, and furthering their own learning. This may be understood in terms of the following:
- make effective use of oral, written and visual means to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding
- use communication as a tool for collaborating and relating to others
- further their own learning through effective use of the full range of communication approaches
- seek and value open feedback to inform genuine self-awareness
- recognise the benefits of communicating with those beyond their immediate environments
- use effective communication to articulate their skills as identified through self-reflection
D. Personal Effectiveness
Graduates of the University will be able to effect change and be responsive to the situations and environments in which they operate. This may be understood in terms of the following:
- appreciate and use talents constructively, demonstrating self-discipline, motivation, adaptability, persistence and professionalism
- be able to manage risk while initiating and managing change
- be able to flexibly transfer their knowledge, learning, skills and abilities from one context to another
- understand social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities and issues
- be able to work effectively with others, capitalising on their different thinking, experience and skills.
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| Keywords | Research,study design,data,science,communication,evidence-based |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Verity Bowell
Tel: (0131 6)50 6259
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Angela Harding
Tel: (0131 6)51 7363
Email: |
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