The generation, dissemination and interpretation of data represent the foundations of scientific research. Consequently, communicating our own data and ideas, as well as interpreting and critiquing the data of others are key skills and an absolute requirement for a scientific career. The aim of this module is for students to develop and refine the skills necessary to read, interpret and critique scientific papers. This will be achieved through series of journal clubs in which you will discuss high impact, cutting-edge research papers in the field of infection and immunity. A key aspect of these discussions will be to question whether the authors’ interpretation is consistent with the data published and, importantly, whether alternative interpretations are valid. The sessions will illustrate that published research often represents only the beginning of the story and that studies usually generate many more intriguing questions requiring further investigation. By the end of the module students will have had the opportunity to critique a number of high impact papers and will be able to interpret primary data and appreciate the scientific method. Furthermore, this regular scientific discourse with peers will provide an opportunity to develop communication skills. This will include an ‘elevator pitch’, where you will communicate, succinctly, a critical appraisal of a high impact research paper to your peers.

Aims

1.To provide good understanding of essential statistical techniques

2. To provide understanding and interpretation of statistical results in publications and in your own research projects

3. To provide basic awareness of experimental techniques appropriate in infection and immunology research

4. To develop and refine the skills necessary to read, interpret and critique scientific papers

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to:

1. Understand the process of experimental design and the application of appropriate statistical tests to data

2. Become proficient in the reading of primary research studies demonstrating an ability to identify the key questions, the rationale for the approaches taken and the key data supporting or refuting hypotheses

3. Provide a critical appraisal of published work, which objectively evaluates the findings, places them in context with the state of the art, and considers the next steps required to advance the studies

4. Discuss the current thinking and approaches being applied to the study of infection and Immunity