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MD Research Skills 2 (MEDS90036)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 25Online
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2 (Extended)
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 (Extended) - Online |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Due to the impact of COVID-19, this subject is being undertaken by the Doctor of Medicine Year 3 2020 cohort only, in lieu of MEDS90026 MD Research Project 2.
This subject will expand on the research principles introduced in MD Research Skills 1 and will focus on the application of study design methodologies, critical evaluation of scientific literature and statistical analysis in clinical research.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of this subject, students will be able to:
Advanced Study Design
- Describe the principles and application of a range of study design methodologies including epidemiological/ population studies, health services research, randomised controlled trials, quantitative studies and qualitatative studies
Critical Analysis of the Scientific Literature
- Demonstrate competency in critical analysis of the literature by discussing strengths and weaknesses of selected scientific manuscripts
- Compare and contrast commonly used tools/instruments/approaches to assess the validity of sources of medical information
- Demonstrate a systematic approach to the critical evaluation of the validity, reliability, and applicability of health-related research and literature
- Appropriately communicate issues associated with the validity of medical information to clinical colleagues, patients and the general public
- Apply the principles of critical analysis to the preparation of a systematic review in an area of clinical interest/relevance
- Assess sources of bias and variation in published studies and threats to study validity (bias) including problems with sampling, recruitment, randomisation, and comparability of study groups
Statistics in Medical Research
- Distinguish between variable types (e.g. continuous, binary, categorical) and describe the implications for selection of appropriate statistical methods
- Demonstrate competence in the evaluation and interpretation of research data using statistical methods appropriate for the data and research question
- Describe the basic principles and practical importance of probability, random variation, commonly used statistical probability distributions, hypothesis testing, type I and type II errors, and confidence limits
- Describe the potential misinterpretation of results in the presence of multiple comparisons
- Explain, using appropriate examples, the components of sample size, power, and precision
Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)
- Describe the principles of EBM, and how they are applied to healthcare
- Develop, and demonstrate, analytical skills for integration of research evidence into decision-making in healthcare
- Design approaches to assist patients and the general public make sense of the huge variety of medical information available; improve patient and the general public's understanding of the implications, and applications, of medical research; and, counter the spread of disinformation around medical research
- Compare and contrast the distinction between using research to inform clinical decision making versus conducting research
- Describe approaches to engaging patients in the decision-making process, using shared decision making, including explaining the evidence and integrating their preferences
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
In order to undertake this subject students must have successfully completed MEDS90035 - MD Research Skills 1
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Module 1 - Advanced Study Design written assessment
| Week 2 | 0% |
Module 2 - Critical Analysis written assessment
| Week 5 | 0% |
Module 3 - Statistics weekly online quizzes (x7)
| From Week 6 to Week 14 | 0% |
Module 3 - Statistics final online quiz
| Week 15 | 0% |
Module 4 - Evidence Based Medicine written assessment
| Week 12 | 0% |
Research activity written report
| Week 13 | 0% |
Research activity oral presentation
| Week 13 | 0% |
Professional Behaviour Hurdle requirement: Satisfactory standard in professional behaviour, as demonstrated by Professional Behaviour Assessment | Throughout the semester | 0% |
Additional details
Note that the weeks referred to above are the teaching weeks for MDRS2 and differ from the University's standard semester weeks
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2 (Extended) - Online
Principal coordinator Kesha Rana Mode of delivery Online Contact hours Total time commitment 340 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 13 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 (Extended) contact information
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022