Newcastle University

Aims

This module aims to familiarise students with potential designs of studies for clinical research. In particular the module aims to: familiarise students with the differences between qualitative and quantitative research; to develop familiarity and confidence with different methods of data handling; to develop skills of interpreting data, preparing for presentation and presenting itself; to facilitate effective reading and critical appraisal of published literature.

It is proposed that all three modules for the Certificate in Clinical Research will be delivered on a study day (long thin) format with either 1 2 or 3 days delivery. All are 20 credit modules. The modules should be delivered in the order presented here starting in semester 1 with the first module running through semesters 1 and 2 with the second module and then 2 and 3 for the third module. Depending the level of interest these module may be run on more than one occasion throughout the University year.

Outline Of Syllabus

• Quantitative Research
• Qualitative Research
• Quality of Life in a Clinical Setting
• Data Handling and Databases
• Statistical Analysis
• Interpretation of Results
• Interpretation of Evidence
• Presentation of Data and Evidence

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This module will be a mixture of lectures and tutorials/workshops. The Statistics will be delivered as lectures (maybe as e-based lectures or tutorials) and assessed via Blackboard as a MCQ. The study design will be taught as a mixture of lectures, tutorials and mini-workshops. Students will get formative feedback at the tutorials and mini-workshops. Students will be assessed through a mixture of written work – in the tutorials, the statistics MCQ and a short presentation of data in the seminars (with group-based formative assessment).

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Computer literacy and numeracy will be assessed in the statistics MCQ and in the presentation. Written and oral presentation skills will be assessed in the written work and in the presentation. The written study design will test knowledge and understanding of different modes of clinical research and the different components of a research project as well as of differences between qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Study design will be practiced in the tutorial/workshops and will require some evidence of teamwork, planning, inter-personal communication and adaptability.