The course aims to provide students with the fundamental skills to understand and apply the principles of research methodology in the healthcare field. The educational objectives include the ability to formulate relevant research questions, design appropriate studies, and critically interpret results. Particular attention will be given to the use of inferential statistics, the various study designs, and methodologies to reduce bias and confounding. Furthermore, students will acquire tools to critically appraise scientific literature, understand the value of secondary studies, and integrate evidence into clinical practice.
Course Prerequisites
Frequenza al corso Statistica Medica, III anno I semestre
Teaching Methods
The course is delivered through lectures in which the main theoretical contents of research methodology are presented. During the lectures, the explanation of concepts is accompanied by the reading and analysis of scientific articles, which serve to illustrate the practical application of research methods and to develop critical skills in the appraisal of scientific literature.
Contents
The course will cover the following topics:
Introduction to research methodology in the medical field Formulating research questions Use of inferential statistics as part of the research process Study designs, clinical trials Observational studies: designs, measures, confounding and bias Case-control studies Prospective studies (cohort studies) Secondary studies (literature reviews and meta-analyses) Main statistical analyses in physiotherapy research studies
