Summary IBMS
Lecture 1: The Empirical Cycle
Empirical research: based on observation and measurement of phenomena
- Empirical evidence: objective evidence that appears the same, regardless of the
observer
The empirical cycle: process of creating hypotheses which are then tested against
empirical data in a systematic approach
1. Identifying the problem → observation
2. Reviewing literature → what is already known?
3. Research questions and hypotheses → set research questions
4. Choose study design → research strategy
5. Choose sample → sample
6. Collecting data → data collection
7. Analysing data → analysing data
8. Evaluating data → interpretation
Lecture 2: The Art of Diving into Scientific Literature
How is scientific literature produced?
Types of articles
Primary literature
- Original research articles, Surveys, Case report / case studies, Editorial
Secondary literature
- Narrative reviews, Systematic reviews, Meta-analysis, Book reviews, Guidelines,
Commentary
Research vs Review Article
Research Article
Provides new knowledge about a topic by showing results of original lab experiments
(empirical data)
- Title, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, References
Review Article
, Summarizes and evaluates existing knowledge derived from different previous researches
on the topic
- Title, Abstract, Introduction, Body (methods / results), Discussion, References
Scientific article can’t be read from start to end
Three step approach to dive into literature
Step 1: Zapping
Goal: Find, assess, and exploit a range of information that is related to out research and
perhaps choose whether to move to the next step or not
Step 2: Skim Reading
Step 3: Structured focused reading
Lecture 3: Variables and descriptive statistics
Methodology and statistics
Lecture 1: The Empirical Cycle
Empirical research: based on observation and measurement of phenomena
- Empirical evidence: objective evidence that appears the same, regardless of the
observer
The empirical cycle: process of creating hypotheses which are then tested against
empirical data in a systematic approach
1. Identifying the problem → observation
2. Reviewing literature → what is already known?
3. Research questions and hypotheses → set research questions
4. Choose study design → research strategy
5. Choose sample → sample
6. Collecting data → data collection
7. Analysing data → analysing data
8. Evaluating data → interpretation
Lecture 2: The Art of Diving into Scientific Literature
How is scientific literature produced?
Types of articles
Primary literature
- Original research articles, Surveys, Case report / case studies, Editorial
Secondary literature
- Narrative reviews, Systematic reviews, Meta-analysis, Book reviews, Guidelines,
Commentary
Research vs Review Article
Research Article
Provides new knowledge about a topic by showing results of original lab experiments
(empirical data)
- Title, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, References
Review Article
, Summarizes and evaluates existing knowledge derived from different previous researches
on the topic
- Title, Abstract, Introduction, Body (methods / results), Discussion, References
Scientific article can’t be read from start to end
Three step approach to dive into literature
Step 1: Zapping
Goal: Find, assess, and exploit a range of information that is related to out research and
perhaps choose whether to move to the next step or not
Step 2: Skim Reading
Step 3: Structured focused reading
Lecture 3: Variables and descriptive statistics
Methodology and statistics
