成人大片

PUB HLTH 3009 - Experiments with Humans

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

Principles in research studies with humans in the health and medical sciences will be examined by considering the interpretation and critical appraisal of conventional and controversial publications of studies using the CONSORT guidelines which will be built upon throughout the course. Features of `gold standard? randomised controlled trials will be showcased to demonstrate how knowledge of their principles can translate to effective and meaningful design, analysis, and robust results for other experiments while acknowledging their limitations and potential biases. Practical skills in the statistical analysis of results will also be developed in this course. These topics will include the construction of research hypotheses, principles of statistical inference, confidence interval estimation, and differences in statistical approaches in the clinical trials setting. Students will undertake analyses of study data where outcomes are continuous or binary, and understand the role of univariable and adjusted analyses. Students will carry out sample size calculations appropriate to different study designs and continue to consider the relevance of all CONSORT guidelines in the context of motivating real-life studies with humans.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PUB HLTH 3009
    Course Experiments with Humans
    Coordinating Unit Public Health
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites PUB HLTH 2007 (or approval by course coordinator)
    Assessment Tutorial and Practical preparation, Assignments, Exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Angela Gialamas

    Course Coordinators: Associate Professor Amy Salter and Dr Angela Gialamas

    Please contact Dr Gialamas for any queries related to this course
    Phone: +61 8313 0962 
    Email: angela.gialamas@adelaide.edu.au 
    Location: Level 4, Rundle Mall Plaza, North Terrace Adelaide
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

    Timetable details are located on MyUni.
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1   Apply common clinical trial design features appropriately in addressing research questions

    2   Distinguish between primary and secondary outcome variables and demonstrate knowledge of different types of variables

    3   Apply a range of simple and complex statistical analysis techniques commonly used in clinical trials, including intention to treat, per protocol and as treated approaches

    4   Demonstrate statistical reasoning skills correctly with unadjusted and adjusted parallel group analyses

    5   Interpret and communicate critiques of published literature against the CONSORT statement

    6   Use ‘Stata’ statistical software proficiently to conduct unadjusted and adjusted parallel group analyses and interpret relevant output

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1 - 6

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1 - 6

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1 - 6

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1,5

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    NA

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    3,4,6

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    2,5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    The textbooks for this course are:
    1. Matthews N.S. Introduction to Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials (2nd edition). 2006; Chapman and Hall.
    2. Bland M. An Introduction to Medical Statistics (4th edition). 2015; Oxford University Press.

    Please note: The text book by Matthews and the first edition of the text by Bland (with equivalent recommended readings) are available online via the Barr Smith Library.

    Recommended Resources
    A list of recommended resources that will supplement the lectures, text book and readings, will be provided on MyUni ahead of each teaching week.
    Online Learning
    MyUni
    As an enrolled student, you will have access to the University’s online teaching facility, known as MyUni. MyUni is accessible from the 成人大片’s home-page: www.adelaide.edu.au

    You will need your student login name and a password.

    If you do not have access, then either you are not enrolled or the administrators of MyUni do not know of your enrolment. Please call Ask Adelaide on 8313 5208 or the MyUni help desk 8313 3000 for assistance with MyUni difficulties.

    Course materials will be placed on MyUni including lecture slides, lecture recordings, tutorials, and practicals. Note also that Announcements about the course will be made on MyUni.

    Email
    We assume that you have access to email and that your address is the 成人大片 student address that was assigned to you on enrolment.

    Access to Stata 
    While we will be accessing the Statistical software package Stata in a computing laboratory on campus, it is also freely available to download for all students. Please see: /technology/your-services/software/software-for-students

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures are intended to introduce concepts and illustrate their use.

    Tutorials
    and Computer Practicals provide an interactive forum to apply concepts from lectures and clarify understanding. In the series of computer practicals a statistical package (Stata) will be used to analyse data.

    Assignments provide an opportunity for independent application and exploration of key concepts, for wider reading and for synthesis of concepts and literature.

    The exam provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they have learnt, drawing together concepts and showing that they understand key concepts in the design and analysis of experimental studies.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Enrolment in Experiments with Humans begins with the assumption that students are active participants in the learning process, rather than passive recipients of information. We assume that you are willing and able to prepare fully for classes, to participate in discussions and to carry your share of the workload.

    As a general rule, in any university course you will need to allow a minimum of 3 independent study hours for every hour undertaken in formal class work contact. This means that you will have to set aside at least a further 9 hours per week for reading around topics, preparation for class activities, and work on assignments.

    You are urged to bear this in mind when planning your university timetable, particularly if you are also engaged in paid employment. In our experience, students may not be able to demonstrate their full capacity if they are working full-time and studying full-time.
    Learning Activities Summary
    A detailed timetable of classes and assessment tasks will be available in the course Handbook, and on MyUni. The topics covered in lectures, tutorials and practicals include the following materials within the context of real-life motivating experiments:

    - History of clinical trials
    - Phase I-IV trials
    - Governance and Regulatory framework
    - Features of a Randomised Controlled Trial
    - The CONSORT statement
    - Constructing Research Hypotheses
    - Principles of Statistical Inference
    - Confidence interval estimation
    - Sample size estimation
    - Statistical analyses of continuous and binary outcomes
    - Univariable and adjusted analyses
    - Critical appraisal of published study results using the CONSORT guidelines
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    Assessment Task                         Task Type                        Weighting                  Learning Outcome

    Tutorial & Practical preparation       Summative                        10%                            1 - 6 
    and participation

    Assignment 1: Importance of          Summative                         5%                            1, 2
    Randomised Controlled Trials

    Assignment 2: Addressing the         Summative                        25%                           1, 2, 5
    CONSORT statement

    Assignment 3: Analysis and            Summative                        25%                            3 - 6
    reporting of RCTs

    Exam                                            Summative                        35%                            1 - 6


    Assessment Related Requirements
    A basic proficiency with numerical methods and a familiarity with statistical concepts introduced in PUB HLTH 2007 or equivalent is assumed. The level is somewhere around that of Year 10 of secondary school. 

    To pass this course, a student must submit all three assignments and score at least 50% overall (for combined component assessments).
    Assessment Detail
    Tutorial and practical preparation and participation (10%)
    Unless otherwise indicated, each week you will be required to prepare answers to tutorial and practical questions prior to class. Further details can be found in the Course Handbook and on MyUni.

    Assignment 1 (5%)
    Understanding the importance of Randomised Controlled Trials

    Assignment 2 (25%)
    Addressing the CONSORT statement

    Assignment 3 (25%)
    Analysis and reporting in Randomised Controlled Trials

    Examination (35%)

    All assessment tasks will be made available on MyUni at least 2 weeks prior to the date of submission. All assessment tasks will be assessed according to the University’s M10 mark scheme.

     
    Submission
    Assignments should be submitted online through MyUni. Assignments must be submitted by 11:59pm on the due date.

    A mixture of typeset and handwritten assignments are acceptable (especially for mathematical work) provided that they are neat and legible. All assignments must be scanned and submitted electronically (as word or pdf documents).

    Each page of an assignment should be numbered and the total number of pages should appear on each page (e.g. “page 2 of 4” or “2/4”). The first page should bear the student’s name and student number; each subsequent page should bear, at least, the student’s initials.

    Marked assignments will be available through MyUni.

    Extensions
    All extensions for assignments must be requested, at the latest, by the last working day before the due date of submission. Extensions will generally be granted only on medical or genuine compassionate grounds. Supporting documentation must be provided at the time a student requests an extension. Without documentation, extensions will not be granted. Late requests for extension will neither be accepted nor acknowledged.

    Only the Course Co-ordinator may grant extensions.

    Supporting documentation will be required when requesting an extension. Examples of documents that are acceptable include: a medical certificate that specifies dates of incapacity, a police report (in the case of lost computers, car & household theft etc.), a letter from a Student Counsellor, Education and Welfare Officer (EWO) or Disability Liaison Officer that provides an assessment of compassionate circumstances, or a letter from an independent external counsellor or appropriate professional able to verify the student’s situation. The length of any extension granted will take into account the period and severity of any incapacity or impact on the student. Extensions of more than 10 days will not be granted except in exceptional circumstances.

    Late submission
    Marks will be deducted when assignments for which no extension has been granted are handed in late.

    All assignments, including those handed in late, will be assessed on their merits. In the case of late assignments where no extension has been granted, 5 percentage points of the total marks possible per day will be deducted. If an assignment that is 2 days late is awarded 65% on its merits, the mark will then be reduced by 10% (5% per day for 2 days) to 55%. If that same assignment is 4 days late, the mark will be reduced by 20% (5% per day for 4 days) to 45%, and so on.

    Assignments submitted after the due date may not be graded in time to be returned on the listed return dates. The School of Public Health reserves the right to refuse to accept an assignment that is more than 7 days late.

    Students submitting examinable written work who request (and receive) an extension that takes them beyond the examination period are advised that there is no guarantee that their grades will be processed in time to meet usual University deadlines.

    Resubmission
    If a student is dissatisfied with an assessment grade they should follow the Student Grievance Resolution Process </student/grievance/>. Students who are not satisfied with a particular assessment result should raise their concerns with Course Co-ordinator(s) in the first instance. This must be done within 10 business days of the date of notification of the result. Resubmission of any assignment is subject to the agreement of the Course Co-ordinator(s) and will only be permitted for the most compelling of reasons.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through .

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

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