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 "Research and Quality Improvement and Outcomes" is structured into the following modules: Evidence-Based Practice, Quality, Patient Safety and Assessment of Healthcare Outcomes, Statistics for Research, and Qualitative Research.
The exam consists of a written test and an oral test.
The written test consists of 22 questions (11 on Quality, Patient Safety and Assessment of Healthcare Outcomes and 11 on Statistics for Research, mostly multiple-choice, for a maximum score of 22 points) aimed at assessing the knowledge regarding the principles of quality and patient safety, assessment of healthcare outcomes, quality indicators, continuous improvement processes, clinical audit, risk management, as well as fundamental concepts of statistics applied to research and data interpretation. Additionally, the ability to read, understand, and interpret the results of a scientific article will be evaluated. The text of the article will be made available before the test to allow students adequate time for reading and critical analysis. Students may access the oral test only after achieving at least 60% of the maximum score on the written test.
The duration of the written test is 30 minutes.
In the oral test, the ability to apply acquired knowledge through the critical reading of a scientific article of specific nursing interest (quantitative/qualitative, primary/secondary literature) will be evaluated.
The oral test will be considered passed if candidates demonstrate sufficient knowledge of theoretical concepts as well as an adequate critical understanding of a scientific article (for example, correct identification of the research question starting from the abstract, correct interpretation of results tables, forest plots, the process of conducting a qualitative study, etc.).
Failing the oral test will require repeating the entire exam (written and oral), regardless of a positive result on the written test.
To achieve a grade of 30/30 with honors, candidates must demonstrate an excellent and integrated knowledge of all topics covered in the course, as well as a strong capacity for critical reading of scientific literature, data interpretation, and the application of Evidence-Based Practice principles and qualitative research methodologies.

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.