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.

Material provided by the teacher

The aim of the course is to provide the tools to critically analyze the scientific literature and the basis for engaging in scientific research.

Basic English to carry out bibliographic research and read scientific papers.

Classroom lessons and hands-on activities with scientific papers.

Attendance at the course is mandatory.It is recommended that you attend the classes with your own PC. Alternatively, you may work in pairs with someone who has a PC.Supplementary materials will be available on the DIR website.Students with physical disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or Special Educational Needs (SEN) can request specific services and tools dedicated to them by contacting the Student Development and Career Coordination Staff and the Student Services team, and by consulting the dedicated page on the university's website: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilitiesStudents with disabilities, DSA, BES, once they have contacted the University Staff, can reach out to the course instructor regarding the exam procedures and didactic aspects.

The exam will consist of a written test with 30 questions (12+18), mostly multiple-choice. The 12 questions related to this module are designed to assess students' knowledge regarding the research process, the structure of a scientific article, and the publication process.

Characteristics of the scientific methodThe research process and its phasesBibliographic research and literature review; bibliographic indicatorsFormulation of research hypotheses and selection of variablesTypes of variables and limitations in subsequent analysisGuided bibliographic research and detailed analysis of a scientific article.Presentation of research results (oral presentation, poster, article).Most common and emerging model organisms.Notes on animal welfare and European and Italian regulations on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (D.L. March 4, 2014, No. 26); the 3Rs principle.

At the end of the course, students are expected to have become familiar with different experimental models and techniques, also through the critical analysis of scientific literature, to engage in their own drafting of an experimental protocol.