NES8314 : Critical Thinking and Analysis for Evidence-Based Environmental Science
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Marie McIntyre
- Lecturer: Dr Gavin Stewart, Mr Ryan Woodward
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
A wealth of research data is available both via peer-reviewed scientific literature and online from environmental, ecological and wildlife studies. However, making informed decisions based on these data can be challenging: different research studies may have different sample-sizes, aims, objectives, and the amount of information reported may be variable. Search strategies for published data must be done in a rigorous manner to ensure that the data used in subsequent analyses is not inadvertently biased. The module will equip students with excellent, transferrable skills for rapid reviews, systematic mapping, evidence synthesis etc. Students will be taught how to understand the reporting of findings in the scientific literature. Students will also gain skills in modern software screening approaches to aid the filtering of large numbers of references.
Outline Of Syllabus
• Systematic reviews – why are they needed, approaches, strategies
• History of systematic review and meta-analysis: medicine and ecology/environmental science
• How to undertake a systematic review, use of key words and search terms
• Data management in systematic reviews – what data must be available and recorded in order for it to be useful
in subsequent meta-analysis
• How to report systematic reviews – PRISMA diagrams, flowcharts and similar methods
• Using systematic reviews, evidence synthesis etc. to aid environmental decision-making
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Evidence synthesis assignment (KMM) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Systematic Review (GBS) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | Evidence synthesis (KMM) |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 1 | 19:00 | 19:00 | Shiny interactive website studies |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Systematic Review and critical appraisal (GBS) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 124:00 | 124:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Module introduction and orientation |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The practical classes will be PC-based, and give students experience in first, systematic reviews and collaborative searching of online records. They will be given example exercises using case studies that address topical environmental issues, so that they can develop their skills in undertaking systematic reviews, and then utilise software systems and/or add-on packages to undertake further reports.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 60 | systematic review and meta-analysis on a topic. Approx. 2000 words |
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 40 | Evidence mapping exercise |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
After students have received the theoretical background in lectures, and obtained practical experience using the software to undertake the systematic reviews and mapping, the two case studies will provide them with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to apply what they have learnt.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES8314's Timetable