Curricular Unit:			Code:
Research Support Instruments			908IAIV
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
1	Master	Clinical Microbiology	6 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
		Portuguese	78
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
1. To understand the development of a research strategy, based on a problem and in a hypothesis. 2. To understand of the importance of developing ethical scientific conduct and to be aware of ethical issues concerning human biomedical studies and animal studies. 3. To be capable of conducting a comprehensive bibliographic search and to correctly manage scientific references. 4. To develop good scientific communication skills, both orally and in writing. 5. To understand statistical analysis techniques, through practical examples and situations. 6. To build a solid base in data treatment, in order to effectively handle experimental data. 7. To develop student's critical thinking.
Syllabus:
Introduction to research methodology. Objectives and planning of a research strategy; Ethics and scientific conduct; Ethics in human biomedical studies and in animal studies; Literature searches and reference management; Scientific communication. Quantitative analysis (Univariate analyses). Descriptive statistics: type of variables, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion. Frequency measures. Statistical Inference. Bivariate analyses. Correlation measures. Sampling data techniques. Sampling size determination. Statistical inference. Confidence intervals: for the mean, for the variance, for the proportion, for RR and OR. Parametric and non-parametric hypothesis testing: approaches to hypothesis testing, type I and type II errors. Most common tests. Linear regression and non linear regression (logistic regression).
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
The syllabus is coherent with the suggested learning outcomes. Below is a list of the syllabus points corresponding to each suggested outcome: - Syllabus point relative to Outcome 1. - Syllabus point relative to Outcome 2. - Syllabus point relative to Outcome 3. - Syllabus point relative to Outcome 4. - Syllabus points relative to Outcomes 5 and 6. - Syllabus point relative to Outcomes 7.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
Teaching methodologies will include presentation and debate of theoretical relevant concepts, as well as guidance of students' autonomous study, through recommended bibliography. Brainstorming about pertinent questions related to syllabus contents will be encouraged. Data analysis will be addressed with the aid of data analysis software (IBM SPSS statistics). Data from didactic sources and scientific papers related to Masters topics will be used. Evaluation will include a written test and the preparation and presentation of a "mini-review" scientific paper. The test will account for 60% and the mini-review will account for 40% of the final classification.
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
Teaching methodologies (theoretical presentations, debates and guidance of self-study) are fully consistent with the curricular unit outcomes. The workload of each syllabus content is also well suited to learning outcomes: Test and paper presentations: 4 hours 1. Introduction: Research Methodology Scheduled time: 12 hours of contact (C); 20 hours of individual study (IS) 2. Quantitative analyses Scheduled time: 8 C e 20 IS 3. Inferência estatística Scheduled time: 30 C e 62 IS The test will be used for knowledge assessment, allowing evaluation of learning outcome fulfilment. Preparation of the mini-review will contribute to stimulate scientific curiosity, to promote effective learning in bibliographic search and reference management, and to exercice scientific communication skills.
Reading:
1. Laake, P., Benestad, H.B., Olson, B.R. Research in Medical and Biological Sciences. Elsevier/Academic Press, 2015 2. Wisker, G. The Postgraduate Research Handbook, 2nd Ed. Palgrave MacMillan, 2007 3. Dawson, B., Robert G.T. Basic & Clinical Biostatistics, 4th Ed. McGraw-Hill, 2004. 4. Gouveia de Oliveira, A. Bioestatística Descodificada. 2ª edição, LIDEL, 2014. 5. Maroco, J. Análise Estatística - Com Utilização do SPSS. Edicões Sílabo, Lda., 3ª edição, 2007.