Ateneo - UPO

Introduction to research and scientific method.
Bibliographic research and critical revision of the literature.
Planning a research study: choice of the research design, variables, data collection, analysis, and interpretations, dissemination of results.
Approaches for controlling artifact and bias.

Title: Essentials of Research Design and Methodology
Authors: Marczyk G, DeMatteo D, Festinger D
Editor: Wiley
ISBN: 978-0-471-47053-3

Aim of the course is to provide the tools to critically analyze the scientific literature as well as the bases to engage in scientific research.

Basic English to read scientific papers.

Classes with slide presentations; off-line lessons with videos and scientific articles.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request
specific services and tools via the
, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-
students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination
modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam will consist of a written test and an oral examination. The written test will consist of 32 mostly multiple-choice questions (totaling 24 points) designed to assess: 1) the student's knowledge regarding the research process, structure of a scientific article, publication process, evidence-based practice, main study designs, functioning of the internet and online research; 2) the student's ability to read and understand the results of a scientific article (the article text will be provided before the test to allow sufficient time for reading). Students will be eligible to take the oral examination only if they have achieved a total score of at least 60% of the maximum possible score. The duration of the written test will be 40 minutes. In the oral examination, the ability to apply the acquired knowledge will be assessed through critical reading of a scientific article of specific nursing interest (quantitative/qualitative, primary/secondary literature). The oral examination will be considered successful if the candidate demonstrates sufficient knowledge of the theoretical concepts as well as adequate critical understanding of a scientific article (e.g., correctly identifying the research question based on reading the abstract, interpreting result tables, forest plots, process of conducting a qualitative study, etc.). Failure to pass the oral examination will require repeating the entire exam (written and oral). To achieve a score of 30/30 with honors, the student must demonstrate excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course.

Characteristics of the scientific method
The research process and its steps
Bibliographical research and literature revision; bibliographical indexes
Advancing hypothesis and selecting the variables
Types of variables and consequent limitations in their analysis
Main types of research designs
Approaches for controlling artefacts and bias
Sampling
Internal and external validity
Diffusion of the results (oral presentation, poster, paper)

At the end of the course, students are expected to have acquired familiarity with methodological approach of scientific research, identification of the variables, data collection, analysis, and interpretation of the results in order to both critically evaluate scientific literature and engage in their own research.