Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Introduction to Research
Course Code
MF_055
Branch of Science
Basic medicine
ECTS
1.50
Target Audience
Medicine
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Rudīte Koka
Structure Unit Manager
Jana Pavāre
Structural Unit
Faculty of Medicine
Contacts
Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, mf@rsu.lv, +371 67409125 +371 67409255
About Study Course
Objective
To develop or promote research thinking and action skills, cooperation, and co-responsibility skills for study programme "Medicine" students.
Preliminary Knowledge
Compulsory content in general secondary education (acquired skills: critical thinking and problem solving; creativity and entrepreneurship; self-directed learning; collaboration and digital literacy).
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Understanding of the scientific method; systematic methodology in evidence-based research; understanding how the scientific method is applied in scientific research; contrasting the different types of health research types and designs; relating how clinical research question arise; develop a research question using the PICO format; analyze a research question using the FINER frameworks; describe the relation between a research question, research objectives, tasks and research hypothesis; describe the structure of PubMed; identify the tools available on PubMed to identify scientific studies using keywords; Conduct a PubMed search using MeSH and/or keywords; apply search filters in PubMed when searching for scientific studies; conduct an efficient basic or advanced search in the Cochrane Library; Identify the main variables in a scientific study; distinguish between the independent and dependent variable; describe NOIR measurement scales; distinguish measurement scales in relation with study variables; differentiate between accuracy and validity of measurements.; describe the main sources of random error and bias in health research; calculate summary measures (mean, median, mode), measures of central tendency (standard deviations, reference range), and variability for quantitative variables using software; calculate summary measures for qualitative variables using a software (proportions, odds, ratios).; identify the structure of a scientific research paper; analyze the structure of a scientific research paper; understand how to plan a scientific manuscript; develop a strategy on how to read scientific publications efficiently; and know the basic principles of scientific writing.
Skills
1.Cooperate in a group; formulate the purpose and tasks of the research; analyze the theoretical literature; perform a PubMed search using MeSH and/or keywords using keywords; apply PubMed search filters; choose appropriate methods for the research; perform descriptive statistics calculations for quantitative and qualitative variables (mean, median, standard deviation, proportions, coefficients) using a statistical processing program; collect data; analyze data; present the results, evaluate the work of group members, recommend proposals for improving the work, perform mutual evaluation and reevaluation.
Competences
1.Combining theoretical knowledge with skills, will be able to integrate them in the development of the next studies and then also in the working career.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
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1.
Individual work |
-
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-
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Selection of the research topic and discussion of responsibilities in the group; presenting an understanding of the topic to the supervisor; formulation of the goal and tasks of the research work; theoretical literature research; writing and improving theoretical chapters according to the recommendations of group colleagues and supervisor; selection of research method/methods, data acquisition and analysis, compilation of results and preparation of the presentation.
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
-
|
-
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|
Final grade is cumulative evaluation of successful course completion and it consists of:
the evaluation of the reviewer (35% from Final grade);
the evaluation of the supervisor (30% from Final grade);
the evaluation of the Labor Defense Commission (20% from Final grade);
the mutual evaluation of the work of the groups (15% from Final grade).
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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1
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Topics
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Introduction to health research
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-
Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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1
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Topics
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Developing a research idea
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-
Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
1
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Topics
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Choosing a topic and applying in e-studies
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Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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1
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Topics
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Individual preparation for the working group meeting
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Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
|
1
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Topics
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The group's first meeting with the supervisor. Analysis of the topic, creating a unified vision of the topic, distribution of duties and responsibilities.
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Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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1
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Topics
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Search for scientific literature
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-
Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
|
1
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Topics
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Planning the measurements: Precision, accuracy, and validity
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-
Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
|
1
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Topics
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Descriptive statistics
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-
Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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1
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Topics
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Scientific writing
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-
Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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1
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Topics
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Developing a research introduction.
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Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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1
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Topics
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Discussion of the research introduction in the working group.
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Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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1
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Topics
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Submission of the research introduction to the supervisor.
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Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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1
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Topics
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Presentation of the research introduction to the supervisor.
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Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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1
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Topics
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Improvement of the research introduction.
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Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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1
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Topics
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Creation of a plan for the theoretical basis of the research and discussion with the supervisor.
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Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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1
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Topics
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Development of the theoretical basis of the research, analysis of the literature, creation of references.
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Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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1
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Topics
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Submission of the theoretical part of the research to the supervisor.
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-
Unaided Work
|
Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
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Study trip
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1
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Topics
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Presentation of the research theoretical part to the supervisor.
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-
Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Study trip
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1
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Topics
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Improvement of the research theoretical part.
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-
Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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1
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Topics
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Development of the plan for the practical part of the research (choice of methods).
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-
Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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1
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Topics
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Development of the practical part of the research.
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-
Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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1
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Topics
|
Submission of the practical part of the research to the supervisor.
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-
Unaided Work
|
Modality
|
Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study trip
|
1
|
Topics
|
Presentation of the practical part of the research to the supervisor.
|
-
Unaided Work
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study trip
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1
|
Topics
|
Improvement of the practical part of the study.
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-
Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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1
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Topics
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Development of research conclusions, summary, bibliography, attachments.
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Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
|
1
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Topics
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Development of research conclusions, summary, bibliography, attachments, and submission to the supervisor.
|
-
Unaided Work
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study trip
|
1
|
Topics
|
Presentation of research conclusions, summary to the supervisor.
|
-
Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
|
1
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Topics
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Preparation of work for submission.
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-
Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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1
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Topics
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Submission of research in the Moodle system.
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-
Unaided Work
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
|
1
|
Topics
|
Preparation of the presentation.
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-
Unaided Work
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Modality
|
Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Presentation of research work.
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
1.50
Contact hours:
0 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
1. Dhir, S. K., & Gupta, P. 2021. Formulation of Research Question and Composing Study Outcomes and Objectives. Indian pediatrics, 58(6), 584–588.
2.
2. Gemayel R. 2016. How to write a scientific paper. The FEBS journal, 283(21), 3882–3885.
3.
3. Medical Library of Florida International University. [video] Evidence-Based Medicine: Searching with PubMed.
4.
4. Medical Library of Florida International University. [video] Understanding Results and Refining your Search.
5.
5. Medical Library of Florida International University. [video] PubMed: Searching with MeSH.
6.
6. Medical Library of Florida International University. [video] Evidence Based Medicine: Using Limits and Retrieving Full Text Articles.
7.
7. Medical Library of Florida International University. [video] Evidence Based Medicine: Using Limits and Retrieving Full Text Articles.
8.
8. Medical Library of Florida International University. [video] Evidence-Based Medicine: Point of Care Resources.
9.
9. Portney, L. Gross., & Watkins, M. P. 2000. (pēdējais izdevums) Principles of Measurement. In: Portney, L. Gross., & Watkins, M. P. Foundations of clinical research: applications to practice / Leslie Gross Portney, Mary P. Watkins. (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall Health. P 46-60
10.
10. Voit E. O. 2019. Perspective: Dimensions of the scientific method. PLoS computational biology, 15(9), e1007279.
11.
11. Whitley, E., & Ball, J. 2002. (pēdējais izdevums) Statistics review 1: presenting and summarising data. Critical care (London, England), 6(1), 66–71.
Additional Reading
1.
1. Alexandrov A. V. 2004. How to write a research paper. Cerebrovascular diseases (Basel, Switzerland), 18(2), 135–138.
2.
2. Aslam, S., & Emmanuel, P. 2010. Formulating a researchable question: A critical step for facilitating good clinical research. Indian journal of sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS, 31(1), 47–50.
3.
3. Cummings S.R., Browner W.S., Hulley S.B. 2013. Conceiving the research question and developing the study plan. In: Hulley S.B., Cummings S.R., et al. Designing Clinical Research. 4th edition. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. P 14-22
4.
4. Duquia, R. P., González-Chica, D. A., Bastos, J. L., Martínez-Mesa, J., & Bonamigo, R. R. 2017. Describing numerical variables: which are the most appropriate parameters to describe the data?. Anais brasileiros de dermatologia, 92(6), 841–843.
5.
5. Farrugia, P., Petrisor, B. A., Farrokhyar, F., & Bhandari, M. 2010. Practical tips for surgical research: Research questions, hypotheses and objectives. Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie, 53(4), 278–281.
6.
6. Grimes, D. A., & Schulz, K. F. 2002. An overview of clinical research: the lay of the land. Lancet (London, England), 359(9300), 57–61.
7.
7. Grimes, D. A., & Schulz, K. F. 2008. Making sense of odds and odds ratios. Obstetrics and gynecology, 111(2 Pt 1), 423–426.
8.
8. Iskander, J. K., Wolicki, S. B., Leeb, R. T., & Siegel, P. Z. 2018. Successful Scientific Writing and Publishing: A Step-by-Step Approach. Preventing chronic disease, 15, E79.
9.
9. Kaliyadan, F., & Kulkarni, V. 2019. Types of Variables, Descriptive Statistics, and Sample Size. Indian dermatology online journal, 10(1), 82–86.
10.
10. Röhrig, B., du Prel, J. B., Wachtlin, D., & Blettner, M. 2009. Types of study in medical research: part 3 of a series on evaluation of scientific publications. Deutsches Arzteblatt international, 106(15), 262–268.
11.
11. World Health Organization. 2000. Association and Causation. In: World Health Organization. R.O.F.T. Health research methodology : A guide for training in research methods : who pacific regional office, education in action series, number 5. WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific. P. 125-128