BSc Healthcare Science (Audiology)

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This module looks at basic graphical and statistical techniques for summarising data, comparing groups of data and investigating simple relationships between two sets of data.  

The course unit uses the SPSS software package to develop practical skills in data analysis.  

The research methods lectures focus on a range of research methods. Topics include research principles and terminology, research ethics & governance, critical appraisal, framework/classification of research designs (research with single cases/groups, observational and experimental designs). 

To develop students’ knowledge and understanding of research and statistics so that students can:

• Design, conduct and analyse a clinical research project
• Understand the statistical issues described in research papers
• Present, analyse and interpret data using a range of graphical and statistical procedures using the SPSS software

• Research principles.  
• Research in the NHS.  
• Ethics.  
• Framework/classification of research designs (experimental and observational).  
• Research with single cases and research with groups.  
• Introduction to important features of a study - main research question, target population, outcome, explanatory factors, and sample.  
• Principles of graphs (theory & practice).  
• Types of Summary statistics
• Group comparisons (theory & practice).  
• Hypothesis tests (t-test and chi squared) (theory & practice).  
• Introduction to Analysis of variance (theory & practice).  
• Correlation (theory & practice).  
• Interpretation and reporting

Lectures and computer-lab practicals; online demonstrations/tutorials of statistical procedures using SPSS; online formative assessments (MCQ); formative mock assignment.

• Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between clinical research and audit, and clinical practice.  
• Demonstrate awareness of the Dept. of Health's policies on evidence-based practice. 
• Demonstrate understanding of the principles and practice of research ethics, research governance and intellectual property regulation.  
• Demonstrate understanding of the concept and limitations of sampling.  
• Consider the value and limitations of a range of quantitative research designs.  
• Demonstrate ability to search for, and begin to critically evaluate, published research findings.  
• Demonstrate a good theoretical understanding of the issues described below under 'syllabus'.  
• Demonstrate knowledge of a range of statistical tests and how to use and interpret their results. 

• Describe and explain the benefits of different experimental designs.  
• Ability to summarise and interpret data and its analysis.  
• Interpret and report statistical results in a scientifically and clinically meaningful way. 

• Demonstrate correct usage of the SPSS software to enter, present and analyse data. 

• Make use of IT, and in particular SPSS, for the purpose of data analysis.
• Interpret, and use this to show and understanding research in a healthcare context. 

Mock written assignment (formative)

Written assignment (1500-2000 words) - 100%

Individual feedback as and when students complete in-class tasks.

Group feedback (presentation) on mock-assignment. 

• Field, A. (2017) Discovering Statistics using IBM SPSS 5th edition. Sage.
• Coolican H. (1996) Introduction to research methods and statistics in psychology. 2nd ed. London: Hodder & Stoughton.
• Greenhalgh T. (2010) How to read a paper. The basics of evidence based medicine. 4th ed. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
• Robson C. (2002). Real World Research: A resource for social scientists and practitionerresearchers. 2nd ed. Oxford: Blackwell.
• Gonick L & Smith, W. (1993) The Cartoon Guide to Statistics. Harper Collins, New York. Jaisingh, L. (2000) Statistics for the Utterly Confused. McGraw-Hill, New York.