COURSE INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION INFORMATION


Course Name
Research Skills in Biomedical Sience
Code
Semester
Theory
(hour/week)
Application/Lab
(hour/week)
Local Credits
ECTS
MED 220
Fall/Spring
3
0
3
5
Prerequisites
None
Course Language
English
Course Type
Elective
Course Level
First Cycle
Mode of Delivery -
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course
Course Coordinator
Course Lecturer(s)
Assistant(s)
Course Objectives The aim of this course is to guide students about general concepts of biomedical research and the major skills for project writing.
Learning Outcomes The students who succeeded in this course;
  • 1. identify a research question
  • 2. review literature
  • 3. write a research proposal
  • 4. present a research proposal
  • 5. overview research studies with critical appraisal
Course Description Within this course, the key elements of scientific thinking and key points for writing a scientific project along with ethical issues in research will be covered in detail within the scope of Biomedical Research. The key elements of scientific thinking, will cover observation, asking critical questions, developing a testable hypothesis, collecting and analysing data and making a logical conclusion. The key points for writing a scientific project will cover the title, aim, literature review, project uniqueness, methods, project and risk management, common domains and reporting the findings. Ethical issues will also be covered within the scope of the course.
Related Sustainable Development Goals

 



Course Category

Core Courses
Major Area Courses
Supportive Courses
X
Media and Managment Skills Courses
Transferable Skill Courses

 

WEEKLY SUBJECTS AND RELATED PREPARATION STUDIES

Week Subjects Required Materials
1 Introduction to Scientific Enterprise / Why do Research? –I (Learning outcomes, LOs) After this section you will be able to: • Define research and its importance • Explain the purpose of research • Develop strategies to find a topic Chapter 1. Pages:10-20, What is research?, Research Skills for Medical Students (2012)
2 Introduction to Scientific Enterprise / Why do Research? –II After this section you will be able to: • Describe alternative research designs • Describe importance of critical thinking • Explain the original scientific research Chapter 1. Research Design, Pages:20-30, Research Skills for Medical Students (2012)
3 NIH grant proposals After this section you will be able to: • Define basic principles of research grant application writing • develop a research proposal throughout the semester https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/format-and-write/write-your-application.htm
4 Background Search/ Reviewing the literature I After this section you will be able to: • Explain what a literature review and its purpose • Explain the difference between a narrative and a systematic literature review • Lists the benefits of literature review results to patients and practitioners Chapter 2. Pages: 31-40, What is literature review? Research Skills for Medical Students (2012)
5 Background Search/ Reviewing the literature II After this section you will be able to: • Write a research question • Perform literature research using keywords and bibliographic databases • Appraise and report information you retrieved Chapter 2. Pages: 40-54, Literature search, Research Skills for Medical Students (2012)
6 Critical Appraisal After this section you will be able to: • Explain critical appraisal • Critically appraise the literature to your research using different study design • Use your knowledge of the practical issues associated with data collection to critically appraise the credibility of your research • Apply these skills to your own research in interpreting your results and writing up your prospective study Chapter 3. Pages:55-71, Research Skills for Medical Students (2012)
7 Evaluation and Research Methods: Selecting an appropriate study design After this section you will be able to: • Construct a scholarly argument for your research rationale • Explain how your decision will be affected by the paradigm you have adopted • Describe the research process • Outline the limitations of alternative research designs • Evaluate what others performed in their research • Discuss the ethical aspects of research Chapter 4. Pages: 72-90, Research Skills for Medical Students (2012)
8 Data Collection and Information Gathering to Knowledge After this section you will be able to: • Identify and use a wide range of appropriate sources of information • Explain factors affecting data collection from different sources • Explain how different types of data are collected and how the data collection methods are affected by the research paradigm you used • Explain how to verify the data • Decide what data you need for your research and how to access it • Describe how to store and dispose of your data Chapter 5. Pages: 91-115, Access, Research Observation, Skills for Medical Students (2012)
9 Data Processing and Analysis After this section you will be able to: • Prepare data for analysis • Construct a coding frame • Explain basic principles of classification and measurement • Construct tables and other means to summarize data and present clearly and appropriately • Plan your analysis and make an accurate and meaningful interpretation of study findings Chapter 6. Pages: 116-138, Processing, Analysing Research Skills for Medical Students (2012) and instructor’s notes. Pages: 8-11, On Being Scientist: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in Research, National Academy of Science, 3rd Ed. 2009.
10 Interpreting the Implications of Research After this section you will be able to: • Explain the difference between analysis and interpretation • Evaluate the broader implications of research • Interpret graphs, tables and other ways of representing data visually • Apply research findings to clinical decision-making Chapter 7. Pages: 139-155, Research Skills for Medical Students (2012), and instructor’s notes.
11 Communicating the Outcomes of Research and Evaluation After this section you will be able to: • Identify the ethical responsibilities of the authors • Explain intellectual property and copyright • Write up your findings clearly in an appropriately structured way • Tell others about your findings through academic reports (Specific emphasis on plagiarism ,authorship and the allocation of credit) Chapter 8. Pages: 156-177, Academic products, Research Skills for Medical Students (2012), and instructor’s notes. Pages 35-48, On Being Scientist: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in Research, National Academy of Science, 3rd Edt. 2009.
12 Evaluation of Student Projects-I
13 Evaluation of Student Projects-II
14 Evaluation of Student Projects-III
15 Special topic: “Choosing and using your advisor” Page 124, Writing Up Your University Assignments and Research Projects: A Practical Handbook (2008)
16 Feedbacks /Evaluation of the Course
Course Notes/Textbooks

Ann K. Allen. Research Skills for Medical Students (2012), Edt. Becky Taylor, SAGE Publications Inc., Learning Matters Imprinting, London. (ISBN 978-0-85725-837-3)

Suggested Readings/Materials
  1. On Being Scientist: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in Research (2009), National Academy of Science, 3rd Edt.
  2. Neil Murray, Geraldine Hughes. Writing Up Your University Assignments and Research Projects: A Practical Handbook (2008), Open University Press (ISBN-13: 978-0335227174)

 

EVALUATION SYSTEM

Semester Activities Number Weigthing
Participation
1
20
Laboratory / Application
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
Presentation / Jury
Project
1
50
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterm
Final Exam
1
30
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade
70
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade
30
Total

ECTS / WORKLOAD TABLE

Semester Activities Number Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
3
48
Laboratory / Application Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
1
Study Hours Out of Class
0
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
Presentation / Jury
Project
1
38
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterms
Final Exams
1
30
    Total
132

 

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS RELATIONSHIP

#
Program Competencies/Outcomes
* Contribution Level
1
2
3
4
5
1

Explain the normal structure and functions of the human body at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and system levels, associate them with suggestions, practices and clinical situations (nutrition, exercise, vaccination, mental health, etc.); to protect and improve the health of individuals.

2

Describe the mechanisms of diseases at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and system levels and make evidence-based decisions by associating them with disease findings, diagnosis and treatment approaches.

3

Consider the ethical principles, scientific facts, legal regulations and the biopsychosocial and cultural characteristics of the patient in the medical decision making process. Place importance and respect the autonomy of patients and the confidentiality of patient information, within the framework of the law and the provisions of healthcare application standards.

X
4

Prioritize patient safety to minimize malpractice by carrying out risk assessment, take the necessary precautions, perform the necessary medical practice and record them.

X
5

Communicate healthily, openly and effectively with healthcare workers, patients and their relatives, with the communication structured on empathy and care, trust and constructiveness; while being respectful to language, belief, race and cultural characteristics.

X
6

By bearing in mind the patients’ values, beliefs, priorities, and needs; provide evidence-based options and include them in the decision making process.

7

Preserve our planet’s resources and consider its effects on the public and individual’s health, advocate to disseminate healthy lifestyle behaviors and modify factors that affect health adversely.

8

Reach current, valid and reliable information effectively using technology. Critically evaluate this information for solving problems in an evidence-based medical decision-making process, bearing in mind prevention, diagnosis, and management of diseases.

9

Identify problems, create hypotheses, conduct research and employ teamwork to analyze results for generation and dissemination of health-related scientific knowledge.

X
10

By taking feedback and evaluating their performance, determine the areas and options for improvement and implement them within a plan.

11

Care for their own personal health, safety and appearance, take the necessary precautions in order to set an example for their colleagues and society.

X
12

Continuously renew themselves in their medical knowledge by always bearing in mind their commitment to lifelong learning principles.

X
13

Using various communication tools, share their professionally gained knowledge in the field of healthcare, opinions, experiences, and evaluations with institutions, colleagues and the public.  Advocate for healthcare and contribute to developing policies to protect and improve it.

X

*1 Lowest, 2 Low, 3 Average, 4 High, 5 Highest