Postgraduate Course: Introduction to Clinical Evidence (DENT11105)
Course Outline
| School | Deanery of Clinical Sciences | 
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine | 
 
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) | 
Availability | Not available to visiting students | 
 
| SCQF Credits | 10 | 
ECTS Credits | 5 | 
 
 
| Summary | This course  introduces the postgraduate students to on-line distance education and the skills necessary to search for and make use of  relevant clinical scientific literature.  
Students will learn to navigate the bespoke virtual learning environment and will be introduced to library searching and the critical appraisal of relevant scientific literature. | 
 
| Course description | 
    
    This course covers the following topics: 
Navigating the virtual learning environment 
Library searching 
Using a bibliographic manager 
Introduction to primary dental care research 
Statistical terms and methodology 
Critical appraisal 
Reflective learning 
 
    
    
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites | 
 | 
Co-requisites |  | 
 
| Prohibited Combinations |  | 
Other requirements |  None | 
 
 
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |   
Learning Outcomes 
    On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
    
        - Navigate the virtual learning environment and demonstrate the ability to create a profile, post to the discussion boards, use the Wiki and upload documents.
 - Apply the concept of self- reflection and start a reflective ePortfolio with regular entries throughout the module.
 - Record the results of a basic library search and export it to a bibliographic manager.
 - Read and critically appraise different types of scientific papers and write two, well-argued examples.
 - Discuss and define the various statistical tests that are commonly used in the clinical evidence supporting primary dental care as a group project using a Wiki.
 
     
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Reading List 
| The reading list is available through the University of Edinburgh online resource list system so that students are able to link directly to essential items and be signposted to further reading. |   
 
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills | 
Be able to apply the skills necessary for study and enquiry in an on-line academic environment. 
Possess skills in understanding research in this subject and have the ability to analyse literature in an appropriate way. | 
 
| Special Arrangements | 
Computer specification to enable participation | 
 
| Additional Class Delivery Information | 
This course is delivered by online learning using a  virtual learning environment managed by Blackboard Learn. On-line delivery is supported by discussion boards, recorded lectures, instructional videos and group project interaction using a Wiki. 
Reflective learning is supported using an electronic journal and encouraged via tutor interaction. | 
 
| Keywords | IT skills,Evidence based dentistry,Virtual learning environment,Primary dental care research,bib | 
 
 
Contacts 
| Course organiser | Dr Oonagh Lawrie 
Tel: (0131) 536 3974 
Email: Oonagh.Lawrie@ed.ac.uk | 
Course secretary | Miss Jennifer Allison 
Tel: (0131) 536 3975 
Email: Jen.Allison@ed.ac.uk | 
   
 
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