Summer 2023 - BPK 304W D100

Inquiry and Measurement in Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology (3)

Class Number: 3656

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 8, 2023
    Tue, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BPK 142, STAT 201 and two of BPK 201, 205 and 207.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Covers research design, measurement, data analysis, and hypothesis testing, as well as techniques for data acquisition, signal processing, and modeling relevant to research in Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology. There is also a focus on scientific writing, with opportunities for feedback and revision. Students with credit for BPK 304 may not repeat this course for further credit. Writing/Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:


There are 13 weeks of class.

The course includes one three-hour LECTURE per week and one hour of LAB/TUTORIAL.

Topics Covered:

  • Scientific Method
  • Designing a scientific study
  • Normal Distribution and Descriptive Statistics, Reading a Journal Article
  • Inferential Statistics and Differences between Means I (T-Tests, ANOVA, ANCOVA)
  • Correlation, Regression
  • Nonparametric Statistics
  • Analog/digital basics
  • Intro to programming
  • Signal processing and analysis
  • Signals - Electromyography, ground reaction forces, accelerometer
  • Presenting data and results – graphing
  • Using SPSS, Excel, Matlab
  • Writing – how to read/critique/write a scientific journal article, how to read/critique/write a popular science article, how to write an abstract/conference proceedings, how to revise/edit

Lectures: The course is a three-hour lecture on Thursdays and will include some content related to the lab.

Lab/Tutorials: Labs will be held in-person. During the labs, The TA will address skills and evaluation procedures necessary for the completion of the labs. Numerous example data sets and analyses will be used. The instructions and data sets will be made available to students on Canvas prior to the lab at the beginning of the week. Lab results sheets will be available on Canvas on Monday and must be completed and submitted by Mondays 11:59pm. If you miss a lab, your score on the results sheet for that lab will be zero.

Lab Midterm: There will be one 50-minute practical exam held during your regularly scheduled lab time midway through the semester. Lab midterm will test the knowledge and skills acquired in the preceding labs.

Writing assignments: There will be four writing assignments focused on iteratively exposing and improving a student’s ability to critique and compose scientific journal-related documentation.

Late Penalties: A late penalty of 10% per day, including weekends and holidays, will be applied on all late assignments that are not supported with medical documentation. After 5 days the assignment will not be accepted.

Attendance: Class attendance is strongly recommended (in-person or remotely). You are not required to attend class. However, if you choose not to attend, do not expect the instructor to repeat announcements, to loan lecture materials, or to give any handouts that might have been distributed. If extenuating circumstances (unusual circumstances beyond your control, such as death of a close family member or severe illness) cause you to miss a lab or other marked activity, you should contact the instructor to make alternate arrangements as soon as you can. If you will need to miss class for a religious holiday or a university function (e.g., athletic competition), please let the instructor know within the first week of the semester.

Academic Integrity: Academic honesty is a condition of continued membership in the University community. Read the SFU policies on cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty. The consequences of such behavior are serious. Also familiarize yourself with the SFU library tutorial on avoiding plagiarism. In order to review the Plagiarism Tutorial and take its quizzes, you will need to first log out of Canvas, or use a browser that is not currently logged into Canvas, and proceed to the link: https://canvas.sfu.ca/courses/15986

Note that they will not be evaluated (and so you do not need to submit anything), but it is expected that you will read and complete them.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:


At the end of BPK 304W, successful students will be able to:

1. Describe the steps in the scientific method.
2. To read and critique scientific journal and popular science articles.
3. Describe characteristics of the Normal distribution and tests of normality.
4. Calculate and interpret a variety of descriptive statistics including measures of central tendency, measures of variability, standardized scores (e.g., z scores), and percentiles.
5. Explain the steps in inferential statistics to determine whether data support or refute a hypothesis.
6. Select, construct, and interpret appropriate statistical tests for differences between means, including independent samples t-tests, paired samples t-tests, analysis of variance (randomized groups, repeated measures), and analysis of covariance.
7. Select, construct, and interpret appropriate statistical tests of association for normally distributed data including Pearson’s correlation and linear regression.
8. Select, construct, and interpret appropriate non-parametric statistical tests including chi-square, rank order correlation, and binary logistic regression.
9. Formulate a logical plan for data analysis that will adequately address a given research question including the expected output and interpretation of output.
10. Identify the main steps and equipment used for basic examples of analog to digital data acquisition applications relevant to BPK.
11. List and discuss basic techniques available for analysis of serial/longitudinal data relevant to BPK.
12. Communicate scientific research questions, methods, results, and conclusions in writing in the form of a conference abstract/proceedings.
13. Communicate critique of representation of original scientific studies n popular science articles in the form of a critical essay.
14. Communicate results of an original scientific study in the form of a popular science article.
15. Incorporate feedback on scientific writing to improve quality.
16. Learn basic programming and coding to import, processing, and analyze data.
17. Demonstrate competency in using software packages for quantitative data processing and analysis, including Microsoft EXCEL, MATLAB, and SPSS.

Grading

  • Lab Results Sheets (weekly) 10%
  • Lab Midterm 10%
  • Video assignment (Coding) 5%
  • Writing assignments 50%
  • Final Exam 25%

REQUIREMENTS:


To complete the LABS/TUTORIALS, students will need Microsoft EXCEL, MATLAB, and SPSS for data analysis. Students do NOT need to buy SPSS or MATLAB; rather, it will be available on SFU computers or download from SFU IT Services.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:


To complete the LABS/TUTORIALS, students will need Microsoft EXCEL, MATLAB, and SPSS for data analysis. Students do NOT need to buy SPSS or MATLAB; rather, , it will be available on SFU computers or download from SFU IT Services.

REQUIRED READING:

N/A

RECOMMENDED READING:

Inquiry & Measurement in Kinesiology, Ward & Mackey 2013. This is a custom text written specifically to cover the diverse topics in this course. Chapters will be posted as .pdf files on Canvas at no charge to the students. Other recommended readings will be posted throughout the semester on Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

It is the responsibility of the student to keep their BPK course outlines if they plan on furthering their education.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.