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72056 - Methodology of Research and Evidence Based Practice (BO)

Academic Year 2026/2027

                
                        Docente:
                        Stefano Durante
                    
                        Credits:
                        1
                    
                        SSD:
                        MEDS-26/B
                    
                        Language:
                        Italian
                    
                        Teaching Mode:
                        In-person learning (entirely or partially)
                        
                            Campus:
                            Bologna
                        
                            Corso:
                            First cycle degree programme (L) in
                            Imaging and Radiotherapy techniques (cod. 6063)

                                    Course Timetable
                                
from Oct 19, 2026 to Nov 05, 2026

Learning outcomes

Students acquire knowledge of the different types of research studies, measurements, and social research tools. Students are able to apply these concepts to the development of a thesis as a research tool, and to the publication of an article or poster. Primary studies: sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, and predictive values of diagnostic tools. Secondary studies: Characteristics of secondary studies. Systematic reviews and guidelines.

Course contents

EBM, Evidence-Based Medicine: Definition and History; Limitations, Tools, and Skills. Primary Studies: Sensitivity, Specificity, Diagnostic Accuracy, and Predictive Values of Diagnostic Tools. Secondary Studies: Characteristics of Secondary Studies. Systematic Reviews and Guidelines. Research Design: Types of Studies (Cross-Sectional/Longitudinal; Prospective/Retrospective; Observational/Experimental; Cohort/Case-Control; Randomized Controlled Trial). Measurement and Variables: Types of Measurements and Variables; Types of Characteristics; Relationships Between Variables. Social Research Tools: Questionnaires; Interviews; Experiments; Observations; Use of Sources. Reviews of Medical Statistics: Sampling; Data Collection; Frequency Distributions; Measures of Association. The thesis as a research tool: Choosing the thesis (compilatory/experimental/empirical); Structure and presentation of the thesis. Scientific contributions: Publishing an article; Oral presentation; Poster presentation.

Readings/Bibliography

To pass the exam, knowledge of the course material provided in class is required. For further information: Chiari P., Mosci D., Naldi E., Centro Studi EBN. Evidence-Based Nursing - An Operational Guide to Evidence-Based Nursing. Milan: McGraw-Hill, 2006: 436 pages. Fain J.A. Nursing Research: Reading, Understanding, and Applying It. 2nd edition. Milan: McGraw-Hill, 2004.

Teaching methods

Lectures and individual and group exercises and practical tests.

Assessment methods

Simulation of a research project in the classroom.

Teaching tools

Teaching materials available to students consist of PDF files with links to websites.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Durante