Ateneo - UPO

The course will provide the statistical bases useful for critical reading and understanding the results of a scientific paper

M. Pagano & K. Gauvreau, Biostatistica (II edizione italiana). Ed. Idelson Gnocchi, Napoli 2003

The course aims to provide the statistical bases that allow students to critically read a scientific article and to understand its contents.

None

Lectures and reading of scientific articles on the topics covered in class

The material used in class will be made available on the DIR platform
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, 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 course "Evidence-Based Practice and Implementation Methodologies" is organized into the following modules: Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methodology, Statistics for Research, and Implementation of Evidence into Practice.
The exam consists of a written test and an oral examination.
The written test comprises 21 questions (7 on research methodology and 14 on statistics for research, mainly multiple-choice, for a maximum score of 21 points) aimed at assessing:
students' knowledge of the research process, the structure of a scientific article, the scientific publication process, the main study designs, and the fundamental concepts of statistics applied to research;
the ability to read, understand, and interpret the results of a scientific article. The text of the article will be made available before the test, in order to allow students adequate time for reading and critical analysis.
Students will be admitted to the oral examination only after achieving at least 60% of the maximum score of the written test.
The written test lasts 30 minutes.
The oral examination is aimed at further exploring students' knowledge of evidence-based practice and implementation science. It will also assess the ability to apply the knowledge acquired through the critical appraisal of a scientific article relevant to the nursing professions (primary and/or secondary source).
In particular, the following abilities will be assessed:
identifying the research question and the objectives of the study;
recognizing the study design and its main methodological features;
correctly interpreting the results presented in tables, graphs, forest plots, or other data representations;
critically discussing the validity of the results, the quality of the evidence, and its transferability to clinical practice.
During the oral examination, students' ability to apply the main strategies and models for implementing evidence in healthcare settings will also be assessed.
The oral examination is considered passed if the candidate demonstrates sufficient mastery of the theoretical concepts and an adequate capacity for critical analysis and application of scientific evidence to professional practice.
Failure to pass the oral examination requires repeating the entire exam (both the written test and the oral examination), regardless of a positive outcome in the written test.
To achieve a grade of 30/30 cum laude, the candidate must demonstrate excellent and integrated knowledge of all the topics covered in the course, as well as an outstanding ability in the critical reading of scientific literature, data interpretation, and application of the principles of Evidence-Based Practice and of evidence implementation methodologies in professional practice.

Descriptive statistics (frequencies, position and variability indices)
Basics of probability and normal distribution
Elements of inferential statistics (confidence intervals and hypothesis tests)
Chi-square and t-test for independent and paired samples
Elements of correlation and linear regression
Operational features of a diagnostic test
Disease frequency and association measures

Knowledge:
Students will know the basics of descriptive and inferential statistics (hypothesis tests and confidence intervals) as well as the disease frequency measures and association measures.
Skills:
Students will be able to understand the results of a scientific article
Transversal skills:
Students will be able to critically read a scientific article in order to evaluate what information is already available in the scientific literature regarding a specific question and consequently direct their research.