PUT 903: ICT, Technical Writing & Presentation Skills

PRE-REQUISITES:ICT and Research Methods (SCI 802). Additionally, all students are expected to have completed the online course on Good Clinical Practice. A free version of this course can be found in https://shop.crotraining.co.uk/main/courses/view/Free-Good-Clinical-Practice

MODULE DESCRIPTION

This module will familiarize the participants with academic writing, grammar & syntax, Use suitable punctuation and grammar, employ conventions of academic style, achieve a sense of flow in written texts, critically read academic texts, summarise, paraphrase and reference correctly, engage in effective peer review and self-monitoring, replicate appropriate thesis structure, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, summarizing, paraphrasing journal critique techniques and preparation of manuscripts and dissertation reports. Preparation and presentation at conferences and scientific meetings.

Participants would be appreciating the use of Microsoft Office words (document management functions, layout, formatting, equation, reference) excel(document management, format cells, formulas, functions, charts, sparklines, , pivot tables, validation, hyperlinks, protecting and sharing worksheet/book), PowerPoint (document management, design, formatting, header/footer, working with text/pictures, creating master slide, screen views, charts, tables, animations, presentation structure), access (designing and viewing databases, tables, relationships, finding/sorting and filtering, queries), project (Microsoft project environment, outlining project – start time, working time, list of task, organising tasks, setting deadlines and constraints etc), common software for statistical analyses, presentation skills and writing journal article and dissertation reports

Participants would also be exposed to the act of preparing manuscript preparation and various statements/guidelines/checklists for reporting academic manuscripts such as: CASP (Critical Appraisal Skill Program), CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials), PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis), ENTREQ (Enhancing Transparency in REporting the synthesis of Qualitative research), COREQ (Consolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research), CARE (CAse REport guidelines), SQUIRE (Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence), STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology).

MODULE AIMS

Participants completing this module at the highest level of achievement should be able to:

1. Approach postgraduate education with core knowledge and skills in ICT, academic writing and personal organisation
2. Use ICT effective for postgraduate research
3. Prepare various kinds of scientific manuscripts
4. Demonstrate proficiency in presentation at conference

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES: On successful completion of this module student should be able to:

COGNITIVE

1. Show good knowledge on the use of ICT as an important component of research and personal development
2. Understand how to write effectively and the content structure and outline for various scientific report
3. Understand how to maintain academic integrity
4. Evaluate and critically appraise academic materials

PSYCHOMOTOR:

1. Ability to use ICT in the conduct and reportage of research
2. Use effective body language such as gestures and facial expressions
3. Perform data entry and mining using appropriate software
4. Create persuasive arguments
5. Interpret academic discoveries

AFFECTIVE

MODULE EXECUTION PLAN:

This module will use a blended approach to learning involving lectures, e-learning, self-study, demonstration and general discussion. There will be 13 lectures covering 21 topics to be delivered both online and, in a classroom, setting. The online aspect of the course shall commence 2 weeks before the classroom lectures. Students are expected to log-in and participate actively in all activities. The classroom lectures shall run for 5 days (Monday to Friday) between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. Additional learning experiences shall be in form of group-based tutorial, and individual assignments which shall hold once a week for the entire 4-week duration of the course. Each lecturer shall ensure formative assessment of students learning achievements as well as take feedback on students’ experiences with each teaching contact. Assignments (formative and summative) shall comprise individual works and small group activities. Formative assessment shall be conducted to cover the entire module and a final summative assessment shall be undertaken by students which will cover the entire syllabus of the module.

TEACHING AND LEARNING EXPERIENCES WITH CONTACT HOURS

CONTENT/ACTIVITY SCHEDULE

MODULE ASSESSMENT

FORMATIVE

This shall be based on performance of the student in class participation, seminar presentation, discussion and home assignments. This is essentially for monitoring teaching and learning progress, feedback, and remediation.

SUMMATIVE

This shall be constituted by the final written examination which shall include multiple choice questions, essay-style questions and computer-based practical examination. The combination of these would constitute the final examination score. The date for the final examination shall be as scheduled in the session calendar and according to the examination time table which shall be released as at when due.

RESIT EXAMINATION

A student who fails to obtain a mean score of 50% and./or fail to satisfy the requirement for ‘Pass’ in this module will be entitled to re-assessment in a re-sit examination with three months later. However, during the three months of preparation, the student must be given opportunity for fresh continuous assessment scores. The same criteria for the main examination shall apply to the re-sit examination.

RESOURCES (Materials for further readings in addition to the taught content of a lecture)

BOOKS:

1. Swales JM, Feak CB. Academic writing for graduate students: Essential tasks and skills. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press; 2004
2. Systematic reviews: CRD’s guidance for undertaking reviews in health care by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination
3. SPSS Survival Manual by Julie Pallant

JOURNALS

1. Swales JM, Feak CB. Academic writing for graduate students: Essential tasks and skills. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press; 2004.
2. TLea MR, Street BV. Student writing in higher education: An academic literacies approach. Studies in higher education. 1998 Jan 1;23(2):157-72.
3. Journal of Biometrics & Biostatistics (Publisher: Omics International)
4. DeBehnke DJ, Kline JA, Shih RD. Research fundamentals: choosing an appropriate journal, manuscript preparation, and interactions with editors. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2001 Aug;8(8):844-50.

WEB-BASED RESOURCES:

1. Visit

PROFILE OF MODULE INSTRUCTORS

NDUKA, Ethelbert is a Professor of Statistics in the Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt with effect from 2005. He holds a Ph.D from the University of Ibadan (1994). He was Dean of Science (2008-2010) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration (2011-2015) of University of Port Harcourt. He is a Fellow of Nigerian Statistical Association. His current research interest is on modeling in biometric studies, outliers/missing values in regression analysis. He has successfully supervised 5 Ph.Ds. His email address is below ethelbert.nduka@uniport.edu.ng. Download CV: CV_Nduka-Ethelbert-Chinaka_ecncv1.docx Dr. (Mrs) Ogoke earned B.Sc (Ed) (Mathematics) from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, M.Sc and Ph.D degrees in Statistics from the University of Port Harcourt. Presently she is a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Port Harcourt. She has attended many local and international workshops and conferences where she presented her work and won a number of awards. She has published widely in both local and international journals. She is a member of relevant professional bodies such as Nigerian Statistical Association, Nigerian Mathematical Society and International Biometric Society, Washington DC, USA. She has her research interest in the area of biostatistics.