HLTH6221 Planning Clinical & Health Research

Module Overview

The purpose of this module is to allow you to apply your knowledge of research design and research methods to develop a research proposal. This proposal might form part of preparations for research approvals processes (ethics and governance), preparation of a funding application, or development of personal research plans in clinical and health settings. This module is particularly suited to those who are planning an empirical research study for their award.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Appraise the needs of funders and/or consumers of research in relation to planning research studies
Provide a rationale for a specific research study, supported with relevant evidence, policy and practice experience
Justify the design and methods chosen for the research study, including critical analysis of the methods, process, existing evidence-base or other research issues as appropriate
Evaluate the regulatory and practice context of your chosen research study and its impact on development of the study proposa
Consider potential threats to successful completion of the study, identifying appropriate strategies to resolve these issues
Develop a feasible plan for carrying out the proposed research including, where relevant, an assessment of your personal learning needs and development plans
Present your proposal and supporting critical analysis, justifying your design and methods, taking into account the requirements of the intended purpose (e.g. grant application, fellowship application, ethics and governance processes)

Syllabus

For this module, you will identify a research study that you wish to develop further. This could be through carrying out research in your clinical setting, application for research funding, application for a personal award (e.g. doctoral training) or a project required for your programme of study (empirical dissertation). The learning group activity will be led by student needs. Indicative content for the group discussions might include further exploration of: • The self-assessment of research skills and knowledge and identifying development and training need •Future career planning • Evaluation of the context for the chosen research study, particularly in relation to recruitment, governance, ethics • Negotiation of an appropriate output • Content of the research proposal • Understanding the needs of research funders • Ethics, governance and data protection challenges • Involving PPI in your research • Team-building and networking • Budgeting and resources

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Negotiated lecture content, self-directed learning, negotiation with research supervisor, learning groups, seminars Learning group sessions will be the focus of this module. The learning group will enable you to reflect on and consolidate learning. For those students undertaking this module as part of pre-doctoral, Master’s or Doctoral studies, you will be expected to work closely with your supervisor and/or research team throughout this module. You will be required to: • Self manage and regulate your activities effectively so that you meet the aims and learning outcomes on time and in an appropriate manner; • Reflect on and evaluate the process of developing your research idea in a systematic and critical way; • Use feedback from colleagues and academic advisors constructively; • Take responsibility for collecting evidence to demonstrate learning and understanding; • Sustain your commitment to devising and carrying out an agreed research planning task .

Type	Hours
Tutorial	35
Guided independent study	465
Total study time	500

Assessment

Assessment Strategy

Formative: Through negotiation with the module leader, you are required to provide a brief written summary of your chosen study topic and rationale for choice of output. You will receive feedback on this from the module leader or supervisor, by e-mail. Summative: Working with your module leader and (where relevant) research supervisor, you will identify a specific clinical research study for development through this module. The assessment comprises the following components: • You will present a proposal (5,000 words maximum, =/- 10%) for a clinical or health research study, detailing the relevant design and methods, supported by evidence, and addressing any potential challenges in implementing the plan. The format of the proposal can be tailored to meet the requirements of a specified purpose, e.g. a grant application, dissertation or thesis, or ethics application. • You will also submit a supporting critical analysis of one aspect of the research proposal or key decision taken in the development of the proposal (1,000 word essay +/- 10%). You must achieve a minimum mark of 50% to complete this module successfully. 100% of the unit mark is for the assignment.

Formative

Summary

Summative

Method	Percentage contribution
Analytical essay (1000 words)	25%
Research proposal (5000 words)	75%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal

Linked modules

Pre-requisites

To study this module, you will need to have studied the following module(s):

Code	Module
HLTH6200	Design & Methods for Clinical and Health Research