Foundations in Statistics and Research Methods module (BE52004)
Build the research and statistical skills needed for postgraduate biomedical engineering study. Cover ethics, study design, and evidence searching
A rigorous understanding of the research process, and the related research skills, are essential for effective practice in biomedical engineering. This module gives you a solid grounding in the methods and tools needed to engage with evidence critically and confidently.
You will explore the full research process: formulating research questions, searching electronic databases, critically appraising literature findings, planning studies, assessing and addressing risks. Research ethics and governance are addressed throughout.
The module covers quantitative statistics in depth, including descriptive statistics, parametric and non-parametric comparative methods, and associative statistics. Qualitative research methods are also explored, ensuring you can work across both approaches.
Practical sessions use current statistics software to support hands-on data analysis. The module assessment includes a mini-lab report in which you carry out and interpret a real analysis, alongside a written exam covering the range of topics taught.
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- Develop foundational research skills, enabling you to formulate clear and solid research questions, and to access and interpret evidence bases.
- Understand the ethical principles underpinning research in biomedical engineering.
- Explore quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Analyse and manage risks involved in performing research activities.
- Gain hands-on experience with statistics, including the use of leading statistics software.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate critical awareness of research methods and study designs.
- Formulate research questions with confidence.
- Design search strategies and construct appropriate research questions to apply to existing datasets.
- Critically appraise relevant literature.
- Understand and apply the core principles of statistics necessary for biomedical engineering research.
- Analyse quantitative and qualitative data using leading statistics software.
- Judge the correct descriptive statistics and tests for a given dataset or research question.
- Understand the core principles of risk appraisal in research settings.
- Demonstrate awareness of ethical issues, of the related governance, and apply them to research in health and social care settings
Assignments / assessments
This module is assessed through:
- A lab report on statistics during the second half of the module (50%)
- An exam at the end of the module (50%)
Teaching methods / timetable
This module is organised with in-person sessions over all of Term 2. Sessions will include:
- Weekly seminars by University staff.
- Hands-on workshops and practical sessions in a computer lab. For these, you will need to do some preparatory work ahead of the workshops.
Courses
This module is available on the following courses: