VETERINARY RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE-BASED VETERINARY MEDICINE - 2023/4

Module code: VMS3008

Module Overview

This module provides learning and teaching in veterinary research methods and the practice of evidence-based veterinary medicine.

Module provider

School of Veterinary Medicine

Module Leader

MAILE Charlotte (Vet Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Workshop Hours: 12

Independent Learning Hours: 115.5

Tutorial Hours: 1.5

Captured Content: 21

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Successful completion of Year 2 of the BVMSci programme

Module content

Lectures:
Introduction to Veterinary Clinical Research (qualitative and quantitative) and Evidence Based Veterinary Medicine
Drug discovery and developement in the pharmaceutical industry.

Finding and appraising scientific papers
The research question and establishing the hypothesis
Populations, sampling and Variables
Applied statistics and outcome measures
How many samples/animals/patients are needed?
Study designs: Cohort studies, Cross-sectional, case-control,randomised blinded controlled trials, studies on diagnostic tests
Designing questionnaires
Study implementation
Data management
Writing and reviewing scientific papers
Qualitative research
Ethical and legal considerations
Practicing evidence-based veterinary medicine: identifying information needs, turning information needs into searchable questions, different sources of information, searching for evidence, appraising the evidence, decision making and applications.
Clinical audits in veterinary practice
Practicals – workshops
Finding and appraising scientific papers
The research question and establishing the hypothesis
Study designs, populations, sampling, variables, sample size and power of a study
Appraising scientific paper study designs
Designing questionnaires
Writing and reviewing scientific papers
Qualitative research
Practicing evidence-based veterinary medicine – RCVS online programme
Clinical audits in veterinary practice
EBVM- Creating a knowledge summary
Communicating the outcomes of research studies

Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Coursework LITERATURE REVIEW AND STUDY DESIGN ASSIGNMENT 20
Oral exam or presentation AUDIT GROUP PRESENTATION 10
Oral exam or presentation KNOWLEDGE SUMMARY GROUP PRESENTATION 10
Examination Online ONLINE (CLOSED BOOK) EXAM FIXED START TIME (90 MIN) 60

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your theoretical, practical, and applied knowledge across the module. The table below outlines the summative assessment in the module.

Weightings                                                                           Group          Individual

1) Literature review and study design assignment                                20%

2) Audit presentation                                                           10%

3) Knowledge summary presentation                               10%

4) Written examination                                                                              60%

A total mark of at least 50% must be achieved to pass this compulsory module.

Module aims

  • The aim of the module is to provide the under-pinning skills, knowledge and attributes required to practice EBVM
  • The aim of the module is to provide the under-pinning skills, knowledge and attributes required to perform a veterinary research study
  • The aim of the module is to provide the under-pinning knowledge and attributes required to perform a practice audit and quality improvement

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Describe the scientific concepts and principles used in quantitative and qualatative study designs.(C/K/T) RCVS 1, 2, 3, 11, 17, KU 1, KU 2, KU12 KCT
002 Describe the process which should be followed when performing a scientific study (K/T) RCVS 1, 2, 3, 11, 17, KU1, KU 2 KT
003 Describe the structure of a scientific paper and the functions of each section (K/T) RCVS 2, 3, 11, 17, KU1, KU2 KT
004 Describe the value of using evidence-based veterinary medicine in clinical practice (K/T/P) RCVS 1, 2, 3, 11, 17, KU 1, KU2, KU9, KU 11, KU12 KPT
005 Describe the steps that should be followed when practicing evidence-based veterinary medicine. (K/T/P) RCVS 2, 3, 11, 17, KU1, KU2, KU9, KU12 KPT
006 Describe how to perform a clinical audit (C/K/T/P) RCVS 1, 2, 3, 11, 17, KU1, KU2, KU9, KU11, KU12 KCPT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

 

Lectures will provide an introduction to the underpinning concepts and principles. The workshops are designed to enable engagement and application of the key concepts using a range of group based assignments. Presentations of the outcomes of the group based assignments will share experiences across the class and will enable further engagement and feedback. The individual assignment enable students to further develop their knowledge and understanding of the principles and concepts of experimental design. The principal seminars enable individual reflection and critical appraisal of the core knowledge and concepts.

 

 

 

 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: VMS3008

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Veterinary Medicine and Science BVMSci (Hons) 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.