About the course The course Research methodology 1 is designed to cover the basics of research methodology and statistics. It is a 4 credit course. This course is offered for PhD and MD.
Course Syllabus
Learning Objectives:
· To understand the methodology of research
· To introduce basics of biostatistics
· To give exposure to scientific writing
· To give hands on training in data tabulation, and graphical presentation
Unit 1. Research Methodology (20 hours)
Introduction to research methodology – definition of research, types of research, need for Yoga research
The research process
Literature review – PubMed, Google Scholar, Shodhganga, S-VYASA Digital library
Ethics of research – Laboratory ethics, Publication ethics, Ethical bodies – IEC & IRB, Guidelines for good clinical practice
Sampling methods - Population and Sample; Simple Random Sampling, Systematic Sampling, Stratified Sampling, Cluster Sampling
Types of variables – Independent, dependent, confounding variable
Types of research design – Experimental design, cross sectional studies, Case study, Survey
Types of Biological data (Scales of measurement) – nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio
Measurement tools: Observation, questionnaire, and others
Reliability: Test-Retest Reliability, Internal Consistency, Inter rater Reliability
Validity: Construct Validity, Face Validity, Content Validity, Criterion Validity, Convergent & Discriminant Validity
Introduction to Probability
Unit 2. Biostatistical analysis (20 hours)
i. Descriptive statistics
Frequency distribution
Measures of central tendency – mean, median, mode
Measures of dispersion – range, variance and standard deviation
Graphical presentation of data – Bar graphs, Pie chart, line diagram, scatter plot
Normal distribution – Skewness and kurtosis characteristic of normal curve, empirical rule
Z distribution – calculating z score
Measures of correlation - Pearson’s r Correlation and Spearman Correlation
ii. Inferential statistics
Introduction to inferential statistics
T – distribution – the characteristics of t distribution
Effect size, Power and sample size, errors in hypothesis testing
Introduction to methods of comparing means - T tests – One sample t test, Paired samples t test, Independent samples t – test
Unit 3. Scientific communication (20 hours)
Synopsis writing
Reference writing - different styles viz., Harvard, Vancouver, APA using Mendely
Writing a case report
Publication process
Research grant writing
Thesis writing
Research paper presentations
Conference presentations - Oral and Poster
Visit to research lab
Reference Books:
1. Medical Research – R L Bijlani
2. Research Methodology - C R Kothari