Skip to main content

Statistics, scientific writing, research ethics

University of Bonn
Neurometaphysics
About this course

The Statistics module covers:

Basic test theory; 2-tests for contingency tables; t-Test; non-parametric tests; analysis of variance (ANOVA); multiple testing; power calculations; calculation rules for probabilities and neurobiological applications; guidelines for choice of analysis strategy; software implementations; effect size based hypothesis testing

The Scientific writing module:

  • Introduction into general guidelines and rules for scientific writing
  • Introduction into the elements of style
  • Analysis and discussion of scientific texts
  • How to improve and correct a text
  • Practices in writing. Students will write their own texts and correct and make suggestions for improvements of the texts of others

Research ethics module covers:

  • Main approaches and methods in current research ethics
  • Ethical standards of good scientific practice
  • Ethical issues related to research with humans
  • Ethical issues related to animals
  • Ethical issues related to research with biological material
Learning outcomes

Statistics: Students will gain an understanding of hypothesis testing and correct interpretation of different types of test statistics. In the seminar students will acquire to reflect and to analyze the learned content in direct communication with the instructors. They improve their practical skills in statistical calculations and adequate planning of experiments. They will be introduced to the software package “R”. Students will work with their own data sets. This will include data transfer, plotting and implementation of standard statistical tests.

Scientific writing: Improvement of the competence for scientific writing. This includes the writing of protocols, master thesis, Ph.D. thesis, and manuscripts. First, students will learn about the structure of a manuscript and the function and importance of each section (abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, references). They will develop the ability for a clear and elegant writing style. Students will familiarize with the ethical implications of scientific writing.

Research ethics: Knowledge of main approaches and methods in current bioethics and research ethics. Students will learn to understand central ethical questions raised by research, in particular neuroscientific research and to analyze ethical issues in the context of the life sciences and to apply standard arguments developed by research ethics. They will gain the ability to evaluate ethical arguments related to neuroscientific research.

Prerequisites for participation

None

Necessary language skill
English
Interval at which Module/Course is offered
Every Winter - Summer Semester
Semester(s) in which the module takes place
Winter and Summer Semesters
If module comprises several courses, can they be taken separately?
No
Course type
Lecture + Practical + Seminar
Course level
Masters
Course start date
23 Sep 2024
Course end date
25 Oct 2024
Involvement period
The course spans 2 Semesters with 3 module periods
Teaching mode
Local
Local attendance
Required
Workload in ECTS
7.5
Graded
Yes
Person in charge of module
PD Dr. Ronald Jabs, Prof. Dr. Ina Vorberg, Prof. Dr. Dirk Lanzerath
Local module ID
PM 4