Research Design and Analysis

RESEARCH DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Credit load: 7,5                                                           Course code: BMW33718
Coordinator: Dr. K.R.Vrijsen                                     Period: 1
Examinator: Dr. K.R.Vrijsen                                      Time slot: BC
E-mail address: k.r.vrijsen@umcutrecht.nl             Level: 3
Phone: +31-(0)6-55240321

Content:
The course Research Design and Analysis focuses on collaboration. Working in small groups (3–5 students), you will undertake a research project under the supervision of a researcher from Utrecht University or UMC Utrecht. As a team, you will work with current, unpublished data and, under the guidance of a researcher, go through virtually the entire research cycle:
•    Formulating a research question and hypothesis
•    Designing a research plan
•    Analysing and interpreting raw data
•    Reporting results in a format suitable for both academic publications and a wider audience

You will be introduced to all aspects of scientific research: from carefully setting up technical and experimental controls and dealing with setbacks, to publishing your findings. Throughout the course, you will actively work on your research and academic writing skills (with and without support from generative AI) and develop a critical attitude toward your own work, your progress, and that of others. Regular feedback sessions with your supervisor and fellow students support both your personal development as a researcher and the progress of your project. In a reflection portfolio, you will illustrate and substantiate your growth as a scientist.

The projects are based on current, unpublished data. Depending on availability, you can choose from a range of research topics within Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht. In Period 1 (academic year 2026–2027), project domains include: regenerative medicine (with links to immunology or organoid technology), cell communication and drug innovation, cardiology or neuroscience.

Requirements for admission:
Students are expected to have knowledge of the content covered in all core courses (red) of the Biomedical Sciences program at Utrecht University.

Learning outcomes:

Knowledge & Insight:
After the course, you can:

• explain the relevance of your research;
• communicate recent developments within your research field to fellow students and a broader audience;
• critically evaluate the possibilities and limitations of applied techniques;
• describe the principles of Open Science and Utrecht University’s ambitions in this area.

Skills:     
After the course you are able to:

• design an experiment to address a self-formulated research question;
• select, process, and interpret raw data (including appropriate statistical analysis) to answer the research question and generate new insights or hypotheses;
• present data clearly in the form of tables and figures;
• report research results and conclusions effectively, both to peers and to non-expert audiences;
• provide constructive feedback to others and process received feedback to improve your work;
• eflect critically on your own professional development as a biomedical researcher.

Attitude:
After the course you will have:

• a critical attitude toward your own work and that of others;
• a critical and ethical approach to research results and analysis methods;
• awareness of the ethical aspects related to your research;
• a proactive and reflective mindset regarding your professional growth as a biomedical scientist.

Teaching forms and contact time:
This is a project-based course that requires intensive collaboration. You will learn through:

• A structured online learning environment with individual and group assignments, discussion forums, and feedback moments;
• Weekly project meetings (2 hours) guided by a subject-matter expert;
• Weekly work sessions (2–4 hours) supervised by the course coordinator, where you collaborate and exchange knowledge with other student groups.

Self-study is an essential component of this course.

Assessment:

Assessment
The course Research Design and Analysis is assessed through six components. A pass is required for each component to successfully complete the course.

Academic writing (50%)
Through individual and group assignments, you will work towards co-authoring a scientific paper. This will be assessed on content, writing quality, and structure. The individual writing assignments are assessed on a pass/fail basis. The group assignment is graded.

Feedback (2 × 10%)
You will provide peer reviews on another group’s scientific paper (individual assignment) and on a report written by your supervisor (group assignment). Your feedback will be assessed on argumentation, structure and clarity, writing style, and content quality.

Presentation (2 × 10%)
You will deliver a scientific presentation of your research results (individual presentation) and create a second presentation that communicates the impact of your research to a broader audience (group assignment). Both are assessed as group products.

Participation (10%) & reflection (pass/fail)
You will describe and substantiate your development as a researcher in a reflection portfolio (e-journal) and present this reflection at the end of the course.

Group work
All group products will be adjusted to individual grades based on:

• your active participation in preparatory individual assignments (part of the required effort, marked with * in the online platform);
• your active contribution during contact hours;
• peer evaluations of your content contributions;
• peer evaluations of your collaboration skills.