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2025-2026 / METO1032-1

Methodology of scientific research

Analysis of the use of statistics in the literature

Critical analysis of scientific literature

Duration

Analysis of the use of statistics in the literature : 10h Th
Critical analysis of scientific literature : 10h Th, 10h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in motor sciences, research focus4 crédits 
 Master in motor sciences, professional focus in sports physiotherapy4 crédits 

Lecturer

Analysis of the use of statistics in the literature : Anne-Françoise Donneau
Critical analysis of scientific literature : Helena Cassol, Géraldine Martens, Aurore Thibaut

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Analysis of the use of statistics in the literature

This part of the course is dedicated on how to read scientific articles critically, focusing on statistical aspects.

Critical analysis of scientific literature

History of clinical research and ethical issues

Scientific communication and culture

Designing a research question

Bibliographic research

Systematic review and meta-analysis

Study designs

Methodological bias

Critical appraisal of scientific papers

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Analysis of the use of statistics in the literature

Master the concepts of basic descriptive and inferential statistics

Understand the statistical analysis of a scientific article

Be able to interpret the results

Be able to read articles critically

Critical analysis of scientific literature

Understand scientific communication steps

Analyse and criticize the challenges behind scientific communication

Understand the ethical evaluation of scientific research

Learn about good evidence-based medicine practices

Choose the right methodology for the right objective

Formulate a specific and robust research question and identify the most relevant study design to answer it

Conduct a structured review of the literature trought bibliographic databases (Medline, Scopus)

Be able to understand and interpret the results of a meta-analysis

Critical appraisal of scientific literature and identification of methodological bias



 

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Analysis of the use of statistics in the literature

Students will attend two sessions devoted to a review and discussion about the statistical concepts necessary for a proper understanding of this course. One session will be devoted to learning how to critically read scientific articles focusing on statistical aspects. Students will be given time to prepare an oral presentation (group work).

Critical analysis of scientific literature

Active and collaborative learning. Classes are structured around two main components: a discussion with students and a theoretical lesson. Students systematically prepare a few points or questions to present to the class for the next lesson, based on instructions provided by the teachers.

Students will attend six 2-hour classes (=12 hours of class time). Eight hours will be devoted to preparing assignments.

 

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Analysis of the use of statistics in the literature

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Exclusively face-to-face

Critical analysis of scientific literature

Face-to-face course

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Analysis of the use of statistics in the literature

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
- MyULiège


Further information:

Course notes will be made available to students on myuliege. For the final assignment, documentation will be sent by e-mail as soon as groups have been formed and work themes assigned.

Analysis of the use of statistics in the literature

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )

Continuous assessment


Further information:

Oral presentation: /10

MCQ-type written exam: /10

Overall mark: sum of the two marks

Critical analysis of scientific literature

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )

Written work / report

Continuous assessment


Further information:

The assessment will be divided into two parts:

1/ An assignment must be completed during the year and presented during the last class (/10 points). For this assignment, students must carry out preparatory work and present it during certain class sessions (penalty points for the final assignment in the event of unjustified absence) as well as a summary assignment to be presented during the last class;

 

2/ An assessment consisting of multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions will be conducted during the exam period (/10 points).

 

 

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Critical analysis of scientific literature

This course requires access to  Internet for preparatory work and to PowerPoint to prepare the slides for the work to be presented during the course and the final evaluation.

Contacts

Analysis of the use of statistics in the literature

* Anne-Françoise DONNEAU (Professeure), Quartier Hôpital, Avenue Hippocrate, 13 - Bât 23, 4000 Liège - Belgique. Tél: 04-366.47.90 Email: afdonneau@uliege.be


* Assistante : Nadia DARDENNE, Quartier Hôpital, Avenue Hippocrate, 13 - Bât 23, 4000 Liège - Belgique - Tél: 04-366.33.40 - Email:ndardenne@uliege.be

Critical analysis of scientific literature

Thibaut Aurore : athibaut@uliege.be

Héléna Cassol : hcassol@chuliege.be

Martens Géraldine : geraldine.martens@uliege.be

 

Association of one or more MOOCs