Medicine, Research Overview & Design, Second Cycle, 15 credits

Aims and objectives

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall

• further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
• develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
• develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Course objectives

For a pass grade, the student shall demonstrate:

Knowledge and understanding

• The ability to describe ethical issues and study design in relation to a scientific project

Skills and abilities

• The ability to autonomously plan, describe and discuss a scientific study and apply aspects of research ethics
• The ability to autonomously plan and write an application for research funding for a scientific study
• The ability to autonomously conduct adequate searches for information and to manage references according to the instructions
• The ability to inform the scientific community and the general public in a manner suitable for the target group

Judgement and approach

• The ability to discuss and evaluate study design and ethical considerations in medical research
• The ability to discuss and evaluate applications for research funding
• The ability to discuss aspects of scientific communication

Main content of the course

• Research design
• Applications for research funding
• Research ethics
• Statistics
• Scientific communication

Teaching methods

Lectures, tutorial groups and seminars. Obligatory attendance at seminars and some lectures, as stated on the course timetable and in the study guide. In case of absence from obligatory elements of the course, the course coordinator will decide the way in which this should be compensated. Teaching is in English.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Research Design, 5 credits (Code: A001)
The examination is divided in two parts:
a) Individual written report
b) Participation at a seminar about research design, contributing as a student reviewer with a thoroughly substantiated analysis of an assigned part of the material presented at the seminar.
Opportunity to compensate for missing participation in an obligatory course element is given by the course coordinator/examiner. Re-examination and additional re-examinations are given in accordance with local regulations at Örebro University.

Grant Application, 5 credits (Code: A002)
The examination is divided in two parts:
a) Individual written report
b) Participation at a seminar about research design, contributing as a student reviewer with a thoroughly substantiated analysis of an assigned part of the material presented at the seminar.
Opportunity to compensate for missing participation in an obligatory course element is given by the course coordinator/examiner. Re-examination and additional re-examinations are given in accordance with local regulations at Örebro University.

Research Presentation, 2 credits (Code: A003)
The examination is divided in two parts:
a) Individual written assignment
b) Participation at a seminar about research design, contributing as a student reviewer with a thoroughly substantiated analysis of an assigned part of the material presented at the seminar.
Opportunity to compensate for missing participation in an obligatory course element is given by the course coordinator/examiner. Re-examination and additional re-examinations are given in accordance with local regulations at Örebro University.

Tutorial Group Work, 3 credits (Code: A004)
Participation at tutorial group work with discussion, contributing with a thoroughly substantiated analysis of the task.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Research Design
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Grant Application
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Research Presentation
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Tutorial Group Work
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

The grade for the full course will be composed of the results from the separate examinations, in accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929 with appendix).

Specific entry requirements

Degree of Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Laboratory Science, Degree of Master of Science in Medicine, Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Degree of Bachelor of Science Diagnostic Radiology Nursing, Degree of Master of Science in Dental Surgery, Degree of Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine, Degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiogherapy or Bachelor of Science in Sport Science. Additional requirements: English 6/English B.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

The course is mandatory in the programs Methods in Medical Diagnostics and Sports Physiology and Medicine.

All teaching is carried out in English.

The course ends with a course evaluation.

Transitional provisions

Should the course undergo changes to such an extent that it is not possible to examine the student in accordance with this course syllabus, opportunities for special examination sessions will be provided in accordance with the university's local guidelines. If this occurs, the university will inform the students involved.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

CODEX - regler och riktlinjer för forskning (CODEX - rules and guidelines for research)
http://www.codex.vr.se

World medical association declaration of Helsinki
http://www.wma.net/en/20activities/10ethics/10helsinki/

Ämnesguide i medicin (Subject Guide in Medicine)
http://oru.se/ub/Soka/Amnesguider/

Bland, Martin (latest edition)
An introduction to medical statistics
Oxford University Press

Day, Robert A & Gastel, Barbara (latest edition)
How to write and publish a scientific paper
Cambridge University Press

European Medicines Agency
ICH Topic E6 (R1) Guideline for Good Clinical Practice
http://www.emea.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Scientific_guideline/2009/09/WC500002874.pdf

Vetenskapsrådet. (2011)
Good research practice
Vetenskapsrådets rapportserie 3:2011

Additions and Comments on the Reading List

Individual management of scientific publications and other relevant material.
Articles and scientific publications will also be used as literature for the course.
The latest edition of books listed is always the edition to be used.