LSC-20056 - Research and Analytical Skills

Coordinator: David R Hulse Room: HUX204B Tel: +44 1782 7 33640

Lecture Time: See Timetable...

Level: Level 5

Credits: 15

Study Hours: 150

School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

This module looks at the skills and techniques used by scientists to collect, analyse and present scientific information to a specialist and wider audience. It includes specific skills such as writing, experimental design, data analysis and presentation within an ethical framework. In addition these skills will be invaluable for 3rd year projects and dissertations.
Indicative content:
- Analysis of the structure and content of scientific papers, with particular reference to the design and analysis of scientific experiments within an ethical dimension.
- How data is arranged (tables, graphs, figures), presented using Word, Excel and PowerPoint, summarized (summary statistics) and compared.
- Searching for scientific information on the internet, electronic databases, libraries and its collation and oral presentation in a seminar.
- Statistical analysis of the data is a major component of the module with in-depth study of the most commonly used statistical analyses, including: T-test, ANOVA, regression, correlation, non-parametric tests, categorical data, linearity, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and precision.

Aims

To train students in research and analytical skills that are relevant to a wide range of life science disciplines and are transferable to many professional and vocational careers.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/lsc-20056/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

evaluate suitability and validity of an analytical method or data set for the purpose required: 1,3
use statistical tests to analyse scientific data: 1,3
summarize and present in a public forum or report, data in both tabular and graphical forms comparing outcomes of data analysis and drawing appropriate conclusions: 1,3
work effectively in a group: 2
critically evaluate, assess and communicate the results of a data analysis exercise in a word-processed report: 1,3
locate, evaluate and retrieve information from a variety of resources including textbooks, primary literature and the internet and assess, summarise and orally communicate information accurately: 2,3
use relevant software to compile, analyse, compare and interpret data derived from experiments: 1,3
analyse and communicate the ethical, sustainability, health and safety concerns related to basic and applied scientific research: 2,3
communicate complex scientific information accurately and concisely through the design and delivery of a group presentation: 2,3

Study hours

Lectures - 19
Computer based practicals - 9
MCQ test - 1
PowerPoint presentation (including preparation) - 5
Private study (including statistics report) - 116
Total - 150

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Coursework weighted 40%
Statistical analysis of data
The students will be given a set of data which they will analyse and present in appropriate tabular/graphical form. They will manipulate it using appropriate software packages and draw appropriate conclusions.

2: Group Presentation weighted 10%
Group presentation
Students will give a short group presentation on experimental design, health and safety, ethical and sustainability issues related to their final year project titles. A group mark will be awarded which will be up or down graded based on peer assessment of each group member's contribution to the discussion, planning, research and delivery of the presentation. Students not assigned to a final year scientific experimental project can be allocated a relevant group presentation topic.

3: Online Tasks weighted 50%
Online test
This paper will be released as a timed test in Blackboard. Students will find a link to this test on KLE on the day of the assessment. Once started, students will be given 2 hrs to complete. This is 1 hour more than we expect most students will actually need. International students will be asked to notify the School if they need an extension due to different time zones. The test will comprise 50 MCQ questions on all aspects of the module.

LSC-20056 - Module Specification School of Life Sciences Faculty of Natural Sciences

LSC-20056 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences