Introduction to Scientific Inquiry

Catalog description

The Scientific Inquiry course introduces Year 2 dental students to the role of study design and statistical analysis in the conduct and interpretation of basic, clinical, and health services research. The course instructs students how to efficiently access and critically analyze scientific information and place these skills in the context of evidence-based dental and dental hygiene practice. The course will also guide students on dental research proposal design, ethical review, and execution, in anticipation of the required student research project, which will be completed between years 2 and 3. Small group sessions will be used to provide opportunities for students to apply what is provided in the classroom sessions. Students will develop a research protocol as a capstone exercise, which will be executed in the Summer and Fall of the D3 academic year. Students will present results of their research projects at the PNWU Student Research Symposium scheduled in April of each year.