Clinical Research Skills

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Formulate appropriate quality checking, data manipulation, presentation and summary methods for both qualitative and quantitative data.
• Evaluate a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Design an appropriate research question and objectives for your project proposal.
• Using appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative methods, construct a data collection and analysis plan.
• Propose the appropriate research governance process for a research project.

The syllabus for the Clinical Research Skills module has been developed to cover these main themes:

• Understanding qualitative research methods and knowing how to interpret findings, including key methods such as interviewing, focus group research and thematic analysis.
• Use of statistical methods for the analysis of quantitative data with an emphasis on the practical application of statistical methods and the interpretation of results using the statistical software SPSS.
• Appreciation of the key processes for designing, undertaking and interpreting good clinical research, which will enable you to appraise research projects and also prepare you for your dissertation.

Teaching and learning methods

This online module is a blend of live teaching and recorded sessions providing a flexible learning environment that gives you control over your studies. You should plan your time so that you can attend our live teaching and make the most of being able to take part in rich discussions, practical exercises, and interact with the teaching staff and your fellow students.

A variety of online learning and teaching methods will be adopted to promote the development of a wide range of skills Specialist lecturers from a range of academic and health care research backgrounds will ensure a breadth and depth of perspective is offered, giving a good balance between background theories, principles and practical analysis options.

As well as the formal live teaching, live practical workshops and recorded sessions, we offer group online tutorials to support your learning. There is a basic statistics guided e-learning package with self-assessment available as an online package for students to take advantage of in their own time. Students should complete this component, and assessment will be formative with built-in assessment and automated feedback.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

2. e-Books. There are many e-books available from the University of Southampton library in both allergy and related academic subjects (e.g. reflection, study skills, communication skills). Access the online site: https://www-lib.soton.ac.uk/.

1. Full reading list:. Additional resources can be found on our Talis reading list which you can access from the module’s Blackboard site

Internet Resources

Statistics e-learning.

Turning research into practice.

Electronic Statistics Textbook.

How to read a paper.

MRC Regulatory Support Centre (e-learning on research governance).

The Concordat to Support Research Integrity.

UCLA Statistical Computing Resources.

Understanding Health Research on-line critical appraisal tool.

Textbooks

Campbell M.J., Machin D. & Walters S.J. (2007). Medical Statistics: A Textbook for the Health Sciences.

Pope, C. and Mays N. (2020). Qualitative Research in Health Care. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.

Allen, AK (2012). Research Skills for Medical Students. SAGE publications.

Flick, U.. Design Qualitative research. SAGE publications.

Assessment strategy

The assessment for the module provides you with the opportunity to achieve the learning outcomes (1) by demonstrating the depth and breadth of your knowledge of research methodologies, along with (2) showing higher cognitive skills and your ability to make sound judgements.

Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods will be assessed formatively. There will be three summative components to the assessment data analysis for i) qualitative and ii) quantitative methods and iii) the development and written presentation of a guided research proposal. The pass mark for the module and all assessed components is 50%.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External