84244 - Scientific Research Methodology

Learning outcomes

Understand the Scientific Method as the basis for scientific inquiry, with reference to biomedical research. Discuss the principles of evidence-based and translational medicine. Summarize the goals, structure, creation process, and types of scientific literature in the biomedical sciences. Utilize bibliographic and biomedical resourses to locate and critically review scientific literature related to a specific question.

Course contents

Lecture 1

Basic principles of scientific methodology (how to formulate research questions; how to translate concepts into concrete search terms; how to plan the research). The fundamentals of evidence-based medicine. Explanatory and pragmatic randomized clinical trials. Biases and confounding factors.

Lecture 2

Levels of evidence in scientific research and the Cochrane collaboration. How to use biomedical search engines databases and consult guidelines. How to critically read the scientific literature. How to keep up-to-date and follow the most valid and appropriate evidence.

Lecture 3

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses: a basic instruction manual. A practical example of literature search in PubMed databases: how to build evidence-based search strings and filters for the identification of all relevant studies to answer clinical questions.

Readings/Bibliography

Slides and material provided in class.

Teaching methods

Interactive lectures and practical examples of bibliographical research.

Assessment methods

The final exam is a joint written test covering all the teaching units of the Integrated Course. It consists of a paper-based, multiple-choice quiz with 32 questions (each with 4 choices, only one of which is correct). The number of questions for each unit is proportional to its number of CFU:

• History of Medicine: 4 questions
• Ethics and Behavioural Sciences: 8 questions
• Medical Statistics and Epidemiology: 8 questions
• Scientific Research Methodology: 4 questions
• Determinants of Health and Disease: 8 questions

The exam lasts 30 minutes. There are no penalties for wrong or blank answers.

The test is passed with at least 18 correct answers, provided that the student answers at least one question correctly in each module. A score of 31 or 32 correct answers is awarded with 30 cum laude (30L). Students who fail the exam can retake it on the next available date.

Grades will be sent by email to each student's institutional address (@studio.unibo.it). The student has three days to reject the grade by replying to the professor's message. After that, the grade will be considered accepted and recorded.

Reviewing the exam with the professor is possible, upon request, only in case of a failing grade. Details about the test questions or the student's incorrect answers will not be shared by email.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or those with temporary or permanent disabilities are advised to contact the relevant office in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) to arrange appropriate compensatory measures. The request must be submitted to the professor at least 15 days before the exam date. The professor will assess the suitability of the proposed measures in relation to the course's learning objectives.

Teaching tools

Power point presentations.

Office hours

See the website of Davide Gori