This course provides students with the opportunity to explore an area of interest in more depth than possible in a standard taught course. This is expected to take the form of reviews of the literature in topics related to students' areas of interest within the MSc programme. Students will be given examples of good reviews, guidance on literature reviewing, literature searching and citation methods. In addition they may be directed towards research seminars in relevant topics. Students should then explore the general area over the semester in consultation with their tutor.
It is expected that each student will submit two minor reviews that critically evaluate a single research paper or seminar presentation during the first half of the semester. During the latter half of the semester, students will produce a substantial review of a research area.
As this is an introductory course, no previous knowledge of systematic reviews is required.
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Further details are available on the DPRS page.
Course Organiser | Björn Franke (email: bfranke@inf.ed.ac.uk) | |
Office | IF-1.04 (hours by appointment) | |
Teaching Assistant | Aurora Constantin (email: Aurora.Constantin@ed.ac.uk) |
Semester | 1 |
Class Type | Day | Start | Finish | Building | Room | |
Lecture 1 | Wednesday, 18/09/2019 | 16:10 | 17:00 | George Square Theatre | Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre | |
Lecture 2 | Wednesday, 25/09/2019 | 14:10 | 15:00 | George Square Theatre | Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre | |
Lecture 3 | Wednesday, 02/10/2019 | 16:10 | 17:00 | George Square Theatre | Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre | |
Lecture 4 | Wednesday, 09/10/2019 | 14:10 | 15:00 | George Square Theatre | Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre | |
Lecture 5 | TBC (strike action) | 14:10 | 15:00 | George Square Theatre | Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre |
Tutorials start in week 3, i.e. the week commencing 30 September, 2019.
Please note that the lectures do not cover the relevant material in as much detail as the books or papers. You are expected to learn from the papers, books, videos and discussions in tutorial groups. The lectures are to help with understanding and to give you an opportunity to ask questions.
There is a lot of reading required for this course - you have been warned! I make no apology for this because, even so, we only scratch the surface. Some additional resources including lecture recordings are available on LEARN.
We maintain a Wiki for tutorials, which contains additional information including tutorial materials.
The Institute for Academic Development at the University of Edinburgh offers study skills workshops, self-study learning resources, and advice to help you succeed in your studies. Here are some particularly useful resources for taught postgraduate students.
It is expected that each student will submit two minor reviews that critically evaluate a single research paper or seminar presentation during the first half of the semester. During the latter half of the semester, students will produce a substantial review of a research area, which will be marked and contribute 100% to your overall mark for the IRR course. Your report should not exceed 10 pages (excluding the cover sheet and bibliography) and you are advised to use this LaTeX template.
Reports should also be submitted using Turnitin. Please follow the submission instructions. You may find these videos useful:
First minor review | Arranged individually for each tutorial. | |
Second minor review | Arranged individually for each tutorial. | |
Draft IRR submission | 4pm on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 | |
Final IRR submission | 4pm on Thursday, January 23, 2020 |
Please note that the submission of the draft IRR report is a tier-4 visa engagement point! Non-submission or submission of a very incomplete draft will be considered as non-engagement with the programme.
Please read the Informatics policy on late submissions and plagiarism.
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