Gerontology Transitional Project

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Identify and summarise relevant literature
• Identify the necessary elements for carrying out independent research, such as preparing an ethics application.
• Conduct the preliminary collection, analysis and interpretation of qualitative, quantitative or documentary data to investigate your chosen key research questions; or carry out a literature-based study on a selected research issue data.
• Develop your skills in academic writing.
• Reference sources correctly and accurately, and develop other aspects of academic writing, such as the clarity of written language, and the clarity of the structure.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Develop your skills in managing your time effectively whilst working on your independent research.
• Develop your skills in reporting results with reference to existing literature.
• Identify key research questions within the field of Gerontology upon which you will carry out independent research.
• Carrying out a literature review of the relevant field.
• Understand and apply theoretical frameworks to the chosen area of study.
• Develop your skills in drawing out the implications of your research for further research and policy/practice.
• Apply the research training acquired in the taught element of the programme by designing an appropriate research strategy and research methodology to carry out your research.

The module will include:

Meetings with your main Supervisor over the transition to research phase period in order to discuss different aspects of the PhD process, such as guidelines for formatting written work, choice of topic, period of study, supervision, length, layout, language, referencing, figures/tables, risk assessment form, ethics, disclaimer, binding; Independent study.

Teaching and learning methods

As part of this module, you will be offered an opportunity to discuss and further develop the topic of your PhD research with your PhD supervisors. You will be given guidance on the preparation of your PhD thesis via general support and direction by your supervisors while you are carrying out your preliminary independent study to inform your research. Your PhD Supervisors will meet with you during the summer/autumn period in order to discuss progress of your transition into the research element of the IPhD Gerontology, and support you during such transition.

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Denscombe, M. (2010). The Good Research Guide: For Small-Scale Social Research Projects. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Bryman, A. (2012). Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Aveyard, H. (2014). Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care: A Practical Guide. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Petticrew, M. and H. Roberts (2006). Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences: A Practical Guide. Oxford: Blackwell.

Summative

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

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External