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Experimental Design and Analysis

Module description

This module explores the fundamental principles of experimental design and scientific research, including hypothesis development, evaluation, and testing. You will examine key study designs, understanding their strengths, limitations, and appropriate applications. Emphasis is placed on the role of controls, replication, randomisation, and confounding factors in ensuring research validity and reliability. Ethical and sustainability considerations in research design and dissemination are also explored. You will develop key skills in communicating scientific ideas, applying feedback for personal development, and working collaboratively in research settings. A strong focus on the data life cycle ensures readiness for further study and professional careers. This module provides the foundation for all future higher modules in the degree programme.

To take CSC1010 you must normally have an A Level (or equivalent) in Biology.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module you will gain essential skills in biomedical sciences, focusing on research methodologies, ethics, and scientific communication. It covers experimental design, including hypothesis formulation and variable control, alongside ethical considerations such as research integrity and participant recruitment. Proper data management, critical appraisal of studies, and understanding confounders, covariates, and causality are emphasised to ensure high-quality research. You will gain insight into randomised control trials, their design, limitations, and ethical concerns. You will analyse the historical and contemporary impact of unethical scientific practices on marginalised populations and propose strategies to uphold research integrity while fostering social justice in scientific and academic institutions. Finally, you will develop skills in effectively communicating and disseminating scientific findings through research papers, presentations, and public engagement.Assessment will take the form of a public patient involvement recruitment flyer and dissemination report.

Graduate attributes: as part of this module, you will develop the key employability skills of communication and team working skills. Also, the ability to map your skills attainment over the course of your degree.

The module aligns with sustainable development goals (SDGs) SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) ensuring knowledge into physiology and healthy lives along with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Identify and describe the principles of scientific research, including hypothesis development, evaluation, and testing, within experimental and applied contexts.
• 2. Explain the role of controls, replication, randomisation, and confounding factors in designing robust experiments, and apply appropriate strategies to mitigate biases and ensure research validity.
• 3. Differentiate between key classes of experimental design, critically assess their strengths and limitations, and justify their application to specific research scenarios.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Demonstrate an awareness of appropriate controls and strategies to mitigate biases in experimental designs to ensure research validity and reliability.
• 5. Evaluate the ethical and sustainability considerations inherent in the design and dissemination of scientific research.
• 6. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the data life cycle, including ethical, practical, and regulatory aspects, and apply this knowledge to research projects.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Communicate complex scientific ideas effectively by tailoring content and delivery methods to diverse audiences, including academic and non-specialist groups.
• 8. Reflect on personal development by incorporating feedback to enhance academic and professional skills.
• 9. Collaborate effectively in group settings, demonstrating teamwork and shared responsibility to achieve common objectives.

Syllabus plan

1. The introduction session will provide an overview of biomedical sciences, its interdisciplinary nature, and its role in healthcare, research and innovation. Key themes of the module will be introduced, including the impact of experimental design and statistical analysis.
2. Ethics and Data Management explores historical ethical breaches, modern frameworks, and responsible participant recruitment. Students will examine research integrity, compliance with ethical guidelines, and best practices for data handling, storage and security to ensure reproducibility.
3. Experimental Design will cover principles of robust and reproducible experiments, including hypothesis development, variable selection, control measures, and bias minimisation. Practical examples will highlight the impact of design choices on research validity.
4. Critical Appraisal and Research Methodology develops skills in evaluating research literature, assessing study quality, and identifying bias. Topics include confounders, covariates, and causality, with a focus on the strengths and limitations of study designs, particularly randomised controlled trials.
5. Scientific Communication and Dissemination focuses on structuring scientific writing, presenting data clearly, and tailoring communication for academic and public audiences. Students will gain practical experience in writing, presenting, and discussing research findings.

Accessibility Statement:

As part of this module, you will undertake workshop sessions that are of 2 hrs in duration. Breaks are possible, and students are able to leave the teaching space for short periods. These workshop sessions will be undertaken in small groups, with students contributing to associated group discussions. 

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral - if you have failed the module (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Farrimond, H., 2012. Doing ethical research. Bloomsbury Publishing.
• Cottrell, S., 2019. The study skills handbook (Vol. 30). Bloomsbury Publishing.
• Boyle, J. and Ramsay, S., 2023. Writing for science students. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Module ELE page containing formative quizzes and access to on-line learning resources

Key words search

Experimental design, hypothesis testing, randomisation, confounding factors, research ethics, data life cycle, study validity, scientific communication, bias mitigation, sustainability in research.