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    Overview

    Design of studies for quantitative research. Causal inference and models, culturally appropriate design, western and tikanga research ethics, complex surveys, experiments, and observational studies addressing causation and prediction.

    Understanding the design of a research study – the data generation process – is critical for formulating appropriate statistical analyses and interpreting the results. Optimising research design to ensure reliable answers research questions is an important area of statistics, both for methodological research and in the application of statistical methods. The aim of this paper is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to translate a research aim into specific study objectives, construct a culturally appropriate study design to address the objective(s), and determine a suitable statistical analysis. Topics include causal inference, research ethics (western and tikanga), complex surveys, experiments, and observational studies addressing causation and prediction.

    About this paper

    Paper title Research Design and Methods
    Subject Statistics
    EFTS 0.1667
    Points 20 points
    Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,240.75
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    STAT 401 or (STAT 270 and STAT 310), or equivalent (contact department for further information)
    Restriction
    STAT 311
    Contact

    katrina.sharples@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Professor Katrina Sharples

    Dr Conor Kresin

    Paper Structure

    The main topics are:

    1. Introduction to the course, Vision Mātauranga and Māori research.
    2. Overview of case studies.
    3. Research questions, aims and objectives; types of design.
    4. Causal inference and statistical models.
    5. Measurement.
    6. Surveys.
    7. Experiments.
    8. Observational studies addressing causation and prediction.
    9. Māori research and ethical frameworks, and culturally informed co-design; research ethics.
    10. Evaluating and improving the design (sources of variation, controlling random error, minimizing bias).
    Teaching Arrangements

    In common with STAT311: 3 lectures per week and weekly tutorials where students work in groups with a mix of backgrounds to reflect research design in practice.

    STAT424 material: fortnightly seminars will be held relating to advanced technical aspects of design.

    Textbooks

    Readings will be provided.

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised

    Global perspective, lifelong learning, scholarship, communication, critical thinking, cultural understanding, ethics, environmental literacy, information literacy, research, self-motivation, team-work.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

    Learning Outcomes

    On completion of this course students will be able to:

    1. Distinguish different types of research questions and identify appropriate research objectives and designs for a given research question.
    2. Describe the key aspects of causal inference as it relates to research design, including causal effects, roles of confounders, mediators and effect modifiers, and determine an appropriate estimand and statistical model to address a research objective.
    3. Describe the ethical considerations (western and tikanga), the role of culturally informed co-design in the design, conduct, analysis and reporting of a research study.
    4. Identify the relevant sources of variation, correlation, the units of replication and potential sources of bias in a proposed complex study design, and use this knowledge to independently optimise the planned design, conduct and analysis.
    5. Carry out an advanced statistical evaluation of a study design, including power and sample size determination.
    6. Design and plan the analysis for a complex survey, an experiment, and an observational study.
    7. Work effectively in a multidisciplinary group to develop a study design.
    8. Explain design choices clearly to a general scientist audience in both oral and written communication.

    Timetable

    Semester 1

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Other

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 14:00-14:50 9-13, 15-22
    Tuesday 13:00-13:50 9-13, 15-22
    Thursday 13:00-13:50 9-13, 15-16, 18-22

    Seminar

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 15:00-15:50 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21

    Tutorial

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Thursday 14:00-14:50 9-13, 15-16, 18-22
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