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LSC-20056 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

LSC-20056 - Research and Analytical Skills
Coordinator: David Hulse Room: HUX204B Tel: +44 1782 7 33640
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

Though much authentic scientific research takes place in the lab and field, other types of scientific research exist also. For example, systematic reviews, bioinformatics and pedagogic studies (research into how we learn).
Within this module you will explore the different forms of scientific experimental design that you may encounter in your final year experimental projects and onwards into the postgraduate study. You will learn more about scientific data analysis, how to correctly undertake a range of statistical tests and draw conclusions from them that make sense in the context of the biological research.
You will complete three assessments, one a group task where you will present at an online conference a critical appraisal of a paper you have selected from a suitable range. The other two assessments involve completion of a series questions about a given dataset. By the time you have successfully completed this module you will be well-prepared for your final year research projects.

Aims
To train students in research and analytical skills that are relevant to a wide range of life science disciplines and are transferable to many professional and vocational careers.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/lsc-20056/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Compare and contrast various forms of scientific research: 2,3
Use appropriate software to undertake descriptive and inferential statistical analyses of biological data and interpret the results in a statistical and biological context: 2,3
Work effectively in a group to communicate a critical appraisal of a selected piece of scientific research: 1

Study hours

Asynchronous online content (screencasts, sways, quizzes) 22 hours
In-person support sessions in computer lab 11 hours
Online conference presentation/attendance 4 hours
Group presentation preparation and planning 12 hours
Statistics report assessment 16 hours
Independent study 85 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Group Presentation weighted 25%
Group presentation at online conference
Students will be presented with a range of scientific papers relevant to their programmes, they will select a single paper of interest and then be allocated to a group (max 4), who have all selected the same paper. The group will then prepare a 10-minute presentation which discusses the hypotheses of the research, any ethical issues raised and evaluates the chosen data analysis. Group presentations will take place at an online (Teams) conference. Group marks will be determined as follows: 50% of the mark is from the staff assessor 50% taken from the mean of all peer assessment (marks that are outside 10% of the staff assessor¿s mark will be discounted). Individual marks will be the same as the group mark, any student who has not attended the presentation or contributed to the preparation of the presentation will score zero.

2: Computer Task weighted 40%
Statistics report 1 - analysis of a large dataset
The students will be given a set of data which they will analyse and present in appropriate tabular/graphical form. They will manipulate it using appropriate software packages and draw appropriate conclusions. They will then answer a series of detailed questions about statistical analysis of this dataset via the KLE.

3: Computer Task weighted 35%
Statistics report 2 - analysis and evaluation of statistical outputs
The students will be given various datasets about which they will be asked a series of questions via the KLE.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 13 February 2024