Unit details

APHB4003 Research Design and Analysis Part 2

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

If this unit does not have an online alternative, then students who are presently unable to enter Western Australia and whose studies would be delayed by an inability to complete this unit, should contact the unit coordinator (details given on this page) to ascertain, on an individual case-by-case basis, if alternate arrangements can be made to support their study in this unit.

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.

Details for undergraduate courses

• Honours core unit in Anatomy and Human Biology; Neuroscience; Physiology [Bachelor of Science (Honours)]

Content

This unit is taken over two successive semesters and parts 1 and 2 must be completed to fulfill the requirements of the unit. Students can commence the unit in either semester 1 or semester 2.

Part 1 consists of an induction process which contains lectures and demonstrations relating to safety procedures and responsibilities in the use of laboratories, special equipment and chemicals, in field work and in interactions with the public. Instruction is provided in issues relating to human and animal ethics, confidentiality and other legal requirements governing research, and in intellectual property. A series of workshops are conducted on the design and formulation of the research question and statistical analysis of scientific data. Participation in research group meetings further contributes to project design and analysis. Students submit a short project plan followed by a proposal seminar detailing the experimental question, design, methods and data analysis presented by students to the School.

Part 2 comprises modules on advanced data analysis techniques used in the biological sciences. Students complete specific data analysis modules and statistical modules relevant to their research projects. Students receive specific data analysis and presentation modules including: (1) Data management and safety; (2) Graphpad Prism data analysis and graphical presentation; (3) SPSS statistical software.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) obtain appropriate certifications for working with animals, radioactive materials, electron microscopy, micro-organisms, field work, etc.; (2) understand and follow procedures required for safe operation; (3) rigorously formulate research questions and appropriately design experiment(s) to address it; (4) understand and apply statistical analysis techniques; and (5) describe advanced data analysis techniques relevant to their field of study and the application of these techniques.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) project plan; (2) proposal seminar; (3) statistics and data analysis modules; and (4) supervisors assessment. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Jeremy Smith and Associate Professor Tony Bakker

Unit rules

Prerequisites:

enrolment in the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (BH004) or the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) (BH005)

Co-requisites:

APHB4008 Scientific Communication Part 2 and [(APHB5516 Honours Dissertation Part 3 and APHB5517 Honours Dissertation Part 4) or (NEUR5516 Neuroscience Honours Dissertation Part 3 and NEUR5517 Neuroscience Honours Dissertation Part 4)]

Advisable prior study:

Students are expected to have an undergraduate major in the field of biomedical or health sciences. Students without this background should contact the unit coordinator before enrolling.

Contact hours

seminars: 1 hour per week; workshops/tutorials: 2–4 hours per week each