Module overview
This module will provide you with experience of undertaking an empirical clinical or health research project. You will work with appropriate supervision. This module will support you through the process of carrying out a research project, including obtaining necessary ethics and governance approvals, planning and undertaking the project, analysing data and writing up the study in the form of a paper. The paper will be in a format suitable for publication in a refereed academic journal and will demonstrate your ability to apply your research knowledge and skills in the design, execution and reporting of the project.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of research designs and methods and how to apply them appropriately to your chosen research question and detailed research plan/protocol
- Demonstrate an ability to manage, analyse and present research data and critically interpret this in light of current knowledge
- Communicate findings, succinctly, critically and objectively in a clearly focussed paper thus allowing you to contribute to the growing knowledge base underpinning evidence based practice
- Demonstrate understanding of ethics, research governance and data protection in relation to your research study
- Justify your conclusions using well-reasoned arguments and taking into account the limitations or constraints of the study to make recommendations for practice/future research
- Undertake the research study to address your specific question (with appropriate supervision), with relevant approvals
Syllabus
This module builds on content covered in the Design & Methods for Clinical and Health Research (or equivalent) module and includes:
- Applying critical appraisal skills
- Working with a supervisor
- Developing an appropriate and feasible research question
- Designing a research project and protocol
- Ethical and Governance considerations
- Conduct of clinical and health research
- Peer Review (where appropriate)
- Quantitative and/or qualitative data reporting (as appropriate)
- Evaluation of the research process/evidence
- Presentation skills
- Writing skills
- Dissemination strategies
- Project, time and data management
The assessment comprises a research report in the form of a paper for publication with supporting project file (100%).
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
You assume responsibility for your own learning. This module adopts a range of teaching and learning strategies including:
- Self Directed learning
- Peer review
- Problem solving approaches
- Academic supervision
- Research seminars
- Small collaborative and inter-professional group work (Action Learning sets).
- Web based resources
- Blackboard (including discussion boards)
- Reflective learning
- Guided reading
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 730 |
| Teaching | 20 |
| Total study time | 750 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Walker D-M (2014). An Introduction to Health Services Research.
Portney LG & Watkins MP (2013). Foundations of Clinical Research. Applications to Practice.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
The assessment of this module comprises a research report and a project file.
You must achieve a minimum mark of 50% in both elements to pass this module.
Formative
Formative assessment description
Informal PresentationSummative
Summative assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Project File | 20% |
| Research project Report | 80% |
Referral
Referral assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Project File | 20% |
| Research project Report | 80% |