University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: USSJ4D-20-2 Title: EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN AND ANALYSIS Version: 4

Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 20 ECTS credit rating: 10

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: Health and Life Sciences Field: Applied Sciences

Valid from: September 2003 Discontinued from:

Pre-requisites: USSJNT-30-1 Field and Analytical Skills or USSJR6-20-1 Scientific and Analytical Skills

Co-requisites: NONE

Excluded combinations: NONE

Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to:

      • demonstrate an ability to develop experimental strategies to test a variety of experimental hypotheses and implement these strategies for the collection of experimental data

      • apply appropriate statistical analyses to data collected from a variety of experimental approaches

      • demonstrate a competence in the operation of data-handling software

      • draw inferences from the output of a variety of statistical analyses

      • critically evaluate experimental results in the context of existing knowledge

      • report scientific investigations using posters and reports written in the style of a scientific paper.

Syllabus Content:

• The scientific method and experimental design: framing and testing hypotheses; planning and executing experiments; blocking and factorial experiments; collection, analysis and interpretation of data.

• Sources of measurement error/variation: biological variation; technical, systematic and random errors; measuring variation.

• Concepts in measurement: precision, accuracy and sensitivity.

• Relationships between variables: simple, multiple, linear and non-linear regression analysis; correlation.

• Comparing populations: paired and unpaired t-tests; Mann Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests; one- and two-way analysis of variance.

• Comparing frequencies: Chi-squared goodness-of-fit and contingency.

• Data retrieval, analysis and presentation: ‘on-line’ searches, including online journals and the World-Wide Web; use of computer packages (Excel, Mintab, GraphPad Prism, Word) for the analysis of data and the production of ‘publication quality’ tables and figures.

Teaching and learning methods:

Learning approaches will be based on a structured programme of key note lectures, tutorial sessions, and laboratory practicals. Computer- and paper-based resources will be used to facilitate Independent Student Learning. Thus, some important concepts will be introduced in lectures, discussed in tutorials, practised independently by the students, and applied within laboratory sessions. Teamwork will be encouraged, where appropriate.

Reading Strategy

All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.

This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on UWEonline or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.

Texts

Motulsky H (1995) Intuitive Biostatistics

Samuels ML (1989) Statistics for the Life Sciences

Parker RE (1982) Statistics for Biology

Eason G, Coles CW & Gettinby G (1980) Statistics for Bio-Sciences

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 50% B: 50%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A Element weighting

EX3

Examination (3 hours)

1

     
     
 

 

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

OP1

Poster

1

WR1

Written report

4

OP2

Poster Presentation

5

 

 

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes) NO

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

EX3

Examination (3 hours)

1

     
     
 

 

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

OP1

Poster

1

WR1

Written report

4

OP2

Poster

5

 

 

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes. YES

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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