Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Research Methodology and Ethics (Cross-Disciplinary. Research)
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish
Teaching staff
The student should contact by email to arrange a meeting.
Dr. Natalia Felipe (nfelipe@uic.es)
Dr. Adrian González (agonzalezm@uic.es)
Introduction
The scientific methodology is the fundamental axis of research in the health sciences. The knowledge is essential to produce new ideas, to build theoretical models of innovation processes, as final, theoretical and empirical evidence that contributes to a better understanding of reality. The methodology facilitates the detection and resolution of specific problems. The knowledge and implementation ensures scientific rigor.
Pre-course requirements
Not required
Objectives
This course is intended to give basic skills and attitudes to meet a research study in the health Sciences, specifically in dentistry, as well as training to evaluate the research of others work groups. The knowledge of research methodologies and evaluation to enable the integration of theoretical perspectives and research experience in the design and implementation of an effective intervention. Design search questions about areas of uncertainty in clinical practice. The knowledge of the main sources of information based on evidence. Skills and attitudes to communicate new ideas and research results in health, both researchers and other health professionals and society in general.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CB6 - Students should have and understand knowledge that provides the basis for or opportunity to be original in terms of the development and application of ideas, often within a research context.
- CB7 - Students should know how to apply the knowledge they have acquired and be able to resolve problems in new or little known environments within a broader (or multidiciplinary) context, related to their area of study.
- CB8 - Students should be able to incorporate knowledge and tackle the complexity of making judgements based on information which, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibility linked to the application of their knowledge and judgement
- CB9 - Students should know how to express their conclusions, and the knowledge and reasoning these are based on, to specialised and non-specialised audiences in a clear and unambiguous way.
- CE1 - Students should be able to undertake a proper analysis and an extraoral diagnosis, and underline the aesthetic and functional aspects of the teeth and the soft areas of the lower part of the face as well as a analysis and clinical and lab-based diagnosis, using diagnostic and therapeutic wax models, in order to rehabilitate dental occlusion with good functional and aesthetic balance, while taking into account multidisciplinary factors related to the masticating apparatus.
- CE10 - Students should acquire the ability to apply scientific methods, and apply the knowledge acquired to resolving problems in a scientific field. They should learn how to develop research projects both in vitro and in vivo, within the fields of mechanics, biology and microbiology applied to prosthetic and restorative dentistry and dental implants.
- CE11 - Students should be autonomous in terms of developing and applying new technologies to aesthetic restorative dentistry and searching for new scientific information, as well as acquiring the ability to evaluate and undertake the research and development projects the industry offers in an ethical way, and manage the financial and human resources, as well as be aware of the strategic basis for the transfer of new knowledge to the industry.
- CE2 - Students should be able to work as a clinical professional and/or researcher in the field of aesthetic restorative dentistry, and act as a real specialist or expert in the material; as well as know how to diagnose, treat, prevent and research oral disorders and have updated knowledge of the diagnostic and treatment-related advances which continue to arise throughout their professional life.
- CE4 - To acquire the ability to make oral preparations on mucosa, teeth, and dental implants, to build dental prostheses in patients with advanced oral and multidisciplinary disorders; as well as identify and undertake the procedures and various checks for the prosthetic components during construction.
- CE5 - To be able to give public presentations on your own clinical cases based on the scientific literature, and correctly use the scientific terminology related to temporomandibular dysfunction and aesthetic restorative dentistry.
- CE6 - To acquire the ability to make scientific informed opinions so as to choose the type of material a dental prosthesis is built of in order to fit the patient with it, as well as know how to continuously update your knowledge of the dental biomaterial used in the field of aesthetic restorative dentistry, know how to manipulate it, and about its properties, indications, biocompatibilities, toxicity and environmental impact.
- CE7 - To be able to search for, organise and analyse, from a critical point of view, and using biomedical sources of information, scientific literature on issues related to temporomandibular dysfunction and aesthetic restorative dentistry, in order to pursue continuing education in a self-directed and autonomous way.
- CE8 - To know how to apply epistemological, ethical, legislational and humanitarian factors to research and the disclosure of scientific data in the field of aesthetic restorative dentistry.
- CE9 - To recognise and interpret images and specialised diagnostic techniques that are significant in research, as well as know how to apply bioinformatic tools and new technologies to the fields of prosthetic and restorative dentistry and dental implants.
- CG2 - To be autonomous in terms of obtaining a patient's anamnesis and oral explorations in patients with pathologies that might be either advanced or multidisciplinary in nature; and fill in their medical record and other clinical paperwork using scientific language and terminology that is suited to an aesthetic restorative dentistry professional.
- CG4 - To know how to apply protocols for the use of the equipment in the dental laboratory-workshop to the point of undertaking the necessary procedures that help in oral rehabilitation or the treatments common to a restorative dentist.
Learning outcomes of the subject
- To formulate appropriate research questions.
- To understand the fundamental concepts related to epidemiology and the scientific process.
- Know how to read scientific literature critically and recognize parts.
- To understand and interpret the fundamental and specific concepts of biostatistics related to research in dentistry.
- Know how to use statistical tools in order to complete the analysis of their research data.
- To use specific literature search tools.
Syllabus
- Introduction to scientific knowledge
- The process of scientific knowledge
- Characteristics of scientific knowledge
- Evidence-based practice. Critical thinking
- Introduction to critical reading of scientific articles *
2. Research in Health Sciences
- Importance of research in dentistry
- Approach to the research question
- Introduction to the literature review *
- Main lines of research in dentistry nationally and internationally
3. Principla guidelines / standards development project *:guide CONSORT, STROBE , AGREE, SPIRIT
4. Development of a research project
- Project Summary
- Rationale of the study
- hypothesis
- Aims and objectives
- methodology
- Introduction to the design of studies *: ( quasi-experimental , pre -post studies , pure ) observational (descriptive , analytical ) , experimental
- Study types : transverse , longitudinal prospective ( cohort ) , restropectivos ( case - control), clinical trial
- Study population and selection techniques sample : probability sampling and non- probabilistic
- Selection criteria for the study sample
- Intervention: randomization techniques ( treatment arms) , blinded procedures ( single blind , double blind, triple blind )
- Procedures per visit
- Data Collection
- Definition of measuring instruments : concepts of reliability and validity , development and adaptation of a questionnaire
- Bias concept
- Calculation of sample size
- Basics: alpha and beta errors , statistical power
- Calculation of the sample depending on the type of study
- Drafting estadísco analysis
- Concepts of internal and external validity
- ethical Considerations
- Limitations of the study
- bibliometric impact
- Work schedule
- financial Report
- Annexes
5. Introduction to scientific communication
- Transfer knowledge
- Importance of scientific communication
- Scientific communication formats
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Learning activities: 2 ECTS CT
Teaching activities: CM, MC y TRB
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Mandatory attendance
Continous evaluation - EC (25%)
Resolution of cases - RC (25%)
Final exam - PFE (50%)
Bibliography and resources
Narváez, V. P. D. (2009). Metodología de la investigación científica y bioestadística: para médicos, odontólogos y estudiantes de ciencias de la salud. RiL Editores.