Introduction to Research

Important Details
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All course information is available from any Internet-connected computer, go to the course web site at http://sahs.utmb.edu/pellinore/intro_to_research. Note: Some links open web pages in a second window. This window may sometimes end up behind your main browser window.

Password-Protected Pages

The Gradebook page is password-protected to allow access only by the student. Use your UTMB email user name and password.

Course Philosophy

Introduction to Research (2 credits) is totally web-based and can be done at your own pace. You may complete the four assignments at any time that is earlier than the due dates in the schedule. Each assignment must be turned in on or before the due date. Thus, you can pace the course to fit your schedule. There are no tests. Your grade is based solely on the assignments.

Class Organization

Other than on days specified in the schedule as expected, you do not need to attend class. The course is designed to provide all the resources you need via web-based elements, the work of the class is organized around assignments that are computer-based, and there are several ways to interact with your instructor.

Further, you may email your instructor, Dr. Bruce Niebuhr, at any time (bniebuhr@utmb.edu ).

Assignments

All assignments are to be be handed in via e-mail using MS Word. You must send an email message to your instructor with your assignment attached in the form of a MS Word file. You may use other word processors, but the file you send to your instructor MUST be capable of being viewed and edited using MS Word. Please use your UTMB Exchange email account. You may use other email services, but you are responsible for it being able to send an attachment. .

INSTRUCTOR

Bruce R. Niebuhr, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Departments of Physician Assistant Studies and Preventive Medicine & Community Health.

OFFICE: Room 3.650, School of Allied Health Sciences\School of Nursing Building

PHONE: 772-9561    E-MAIL: rmarion@utmb.edu

OFFICE HOURS: Drop in or by appointment (it is best to make appointments by e-mail).

TEXT

There is no paper textbook for the course. All of the assigned assigned readings are on the Internet. See each assignment for details.

COURSE ABSTRACT

The overall purpose of this course is to give you the opportunity to demonstrate skill in: 1) the interpretation and evaluation of scientific studies in your discipline, 2) the design and conduct of research investigations, 3) the use of current modes of information gathering and communication.

The objectives of the course ise listed below:

Objective #1: The student will have the opportunity to gain a basic understanding of the scientific method and elements of the research process. Specific Objectives: The student will have the opportunity to:

  1. Discuss the research process.
  2. Define basic research terminology.
  3. Define basic statistical terminology.
  4. Identify what specific clinical research questions can be answered by each of a variety of research designs.
  5. Describe the hypothesis testing procedure.
  6. Identify the use and misuse of statistics.
  7. Distinguish between good and poor research designs.
  8. Understand the ethical issues in research.

Objective #2: The student will have the opportunity to learn how to conduct a literature search and how to design an elementary research project. Specific Objectives: The student will have the opportunity to:

  1. Obtain information about a clinical area to be researched.
  2. Draw clinical implications from results of prior research.
  3. Conceptualize the research problem.
  4. Translate the problem into specific measurable statements.
  5. Recognize and control threats to validity and reliability.

Objective #3: The student will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of basic statistical concepts.

Objective #4: The student will have the opportunity to learn how to read, understand, and critique published research findings.

COURSE ACTIVITIES

Student understanding of each topic will be achieved through several sources of information (text, lecture, computer programs, and supplemental readings) and by several activities. The activities are described in the table below.

ASSIGNMENT OF GRADES

Grading will be done on your performance in course activities. The values of the activities are as follows:

Introduction to Research
(2 credits)
Assignment Points
1 200
2 200
3 200
4 50
Total 650

Grades
A 90 - 100% of total possible points
B 80 - 89% of total possible points
C 70 - 79% of total possible points
D 60 - 69% of total possible points
F < 59% of total possible points

Academic Progress

Information regarding the Student's academic progress in this course will be shared with their Academic Advisor and/or Department Chair. Student's making unsatisfactory progress may be referred to the Office of Student Affairs for assistance.

University Statement on Equality, Tolerance and Affirmative Action

Please indicate by the end of the 2nd week of the course if you will need accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (Public Law 101-336). If the need for ADA accommodations should arise during the semester you will need to make your request known to the ADA Coordinator in the Office of Student Affairs.

Academic Integrity

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, and any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such an act.

Procedures to be followed in the event of alleged academic dishonesty are described the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System, and the SAHS Student Handbook found at http://sahs.utmb.edu. Alleged academic dishonesty issues should be reported to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

Course Evaluations

Students will be given the opportunity to evaluate the performance of the instructor and course near the end of the course/semester. When submitting course evaluations students must follow the guidelines provided by the course instructor or department.

Some Web Links for SAHS Policies and Guidelines

DETAILS - (The Fine Print)

  1. Assignments. Each assignment has a written product that is graded. Unsatisfactory work can be redone outside of class for a maximum of 10% less than the original credit.

  2. Late Assignments. Late assignments will be reduced 10% unless you missed class due to illness or other real emergency. Some assignments have several parts and only the part that was late is affected by the reduction.

  3. Question Asking: You are encouraged to ask questions on any area of research at any time. Consider your instructors as a resources and guides to research. They are available at all times and are truly interested in helping you to learn about research. Please ask questions.

  4. Special Considerations. Should a student's overall course performance drop to where their course grade may be less than a C, the student may be allowed to redo assignments, in order to improve his/her grade. Students who want to take advantage of this consideration need to see the instructor. All alternative work will be done outside of class at the instructor's convenience. It is the goal of this course that all students be allowed the maximum opportunity to successfully complete the course.

  5. Grading Philosophy. For all assignments a minimally correct answer is worth 10% less than the maximum of the possible points. Maximum points are reserved for answers that exceed the minimum and approach excellence.