Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Introduction to Biomedical Research. Speciality in Clinical Oncology
Other languages of instruction: English,
Teaching staff
Specific module:
Dr Ramon Salazar (ramonsalazar@iconcologia.net)
GENERAL Module and course coordination:
Dr. Carlos García Forero (cgarciaf@uic.es)
Introduction
A basic aspect of scientific research is the method. If anything deserves to be called a "scientific method," it is the simple but fundamental process by which every new idea must be put to the test. In this course, we will try to explain what the scientific method is and how it is applied to biomedical research, how to establish a research question, and what are the particularities of biomedical research in specific fields.
This course consists of two modules:
a) A GENERAL module consisting of an introduction to science and the scientific method, which explains the basic procedure used by science to try to understand natural phenomena. In addition, we will learn are the basic concepts for formulating research questions and hypotheses, and how major designs answer these questions.
b) A SPECIFIC module dedicated to the application of the scientific method in the field of the oncology clinic.
This subject extends concepts and competences acquired in Biostatistics and Introduction to Epidemiology (2nd). The subject is integrated in the undergraduate research curriculum, which is continued in the subjects Clinical Epidemiology and Public Health (5th) and the Final Degree Project TFG (6th)
Pre-course requirements
None
Objectives
Specific objectives for the General module are:
a.1) Know the purpose and scope of science.
a.2) Meet the criteria to be satisfied by a correct observation of natural phenomena.
a.3) Distinguish hypothesis theory and learn to recognize the different types of explanations using science. Knowing the value of the correlations and the preferable approach to assessing competing explanations.
a.4) Be able to design an appropriate strategy to test an explanation. Know the common mistakes in designing to test an explanation.
a.5) Know the different types of causal studies, the degree of strength of evidence they provide and the considerations to be taken into account when designing or evaluating the results of a causal study.
A. 6) Know how to recognize the clues that reveal at pseudoscientific explanations.
Specific objectives for the specific module are:
• Understand the design of a clinical trial
• Evaluate patient eligibility
• Translate a case to a question in an essay analyzable
• Interpret the results of a clinical trial.
• Apply to a case the results of a clinical trial
• Become familiar with a protocol of a clinical trial.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 28 - Obtaining and using epidemiological data and assess trends and risks in health related decision-making.
- 31 - Understand, critically evaluate and know how to use sources of clinical and biomedical information to obtain, organize, interpret and communicate scientific and health care information.
- 34 - Ability for critical thinking, creativity and constructive skeptisim with a focus on research within professional practice.
- 35 - Understand the importance and limitations of scientific thinking in the study, prevention and treatment of disease.
- 36 - Be able to formulate hypotheses, collect and critically evaluate information for problem solving using the scientific method.
- 37 - Acquire basic training for research.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Upon completion of this course students should have a better understanding of how scientific thinking operates (or should operate), having acquired the basic skills to recognize and evaluate experimental results as well as the criteria to reject baseless scientific claims.
Sudents should have also have had the opportunity to learn the practical application of scientific procedures in the field of choice, with the help of leading experts whose ultimate goal is to convey the passion for research.
Syllabus
a) GENERAL MODULE CONTENTS:
1. Science and science: Information, knowledge and science. Features of scientific knowledge. The scientific method.
2. Research questions: The research question. Establishment of objectives, and hypotheses. Falsification. Research planning
3. Answer questions: Diagrams of causality (Directed Acyclic Graphs). Bias, confusion and mediation. Observation and generalization.
5. Observational designs: cross-sectional designs, cases and controls, cohort and cohort designs; diagnostic and prognostic designs.
6. The Randomized Clinical Trial: What is and what is not an RCT. Types of RCT. When (not) to do an RCT.
b) Contents of the specific module:
Introduction:
• Cancer as a health problem
• Cancer Research
MACRO Research: Cancer Prevention and Early Detection
• Case: Measuring the risk
• Prevention Prostate
• Early detection and Screening
• Lessons learned: translation to other disciplines
Research MICRO: the cancer patient.
• Case: therapeutic decisions
• Development of research on a particular disease area: incremental development over time in ovarian cancer.
• clinical trial protocols.
• Eligibility.
• Lessons learned: translation to other disciplines
Research Transverse drug development.
• Case: evaluation of data
• Development of a drug from bench to the pharmacy.
• Lessons learned: translation to other disciplines
Annexes.
• Research Diagnostic medical devices. The era of genomics.
• Personalized Cancer Medicine.
Teaching and learning activities
Online
a) The common contents are taught over 6 pnline sessions on theoretical contents directed to the whole group.
b) The specific module is taught over 6 sessions in small-group format. This module alternate theoretical contents with practical examples involving the use of real examples that illustrate how research can be performed in clinical oncology.
Evaluation systems and criteria
Online
a) For the module GENERAL: Proposal of a Research design (60%).
b) For the module SPECIFIC (40%).
Bibliography and resources
a) For the general module:
¿Qué es esa cosa llamada ciencia?. Chalmers, A(, 4rth Ed Stephen S. Carey. Madrid: SXXI (2013).
Research Methodology in the Medical and Biological Sciences, 1st Ed Laake, P, Benestad, HB, Olsen, BR (Eds). Elsevier (2007).
b) For the specific module:
See Annexes instructional materials.