Research for Medicine and Health

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Identify tools to manage sources of information and to record and analyse data
• Demonstrate the ability to keep up to date with medical evidence and therefore establish the foundations for lifelong learning and continuing professional development
• Acquire new knowledge on research methodology commonly used in medicine and health, and to be able to assess and apply this knowledge
• Describe the spectrum of research from basic science to implementation research, and specifically the stages of development of drugs, biomarkers and complex interventions
• Communicate clearly and effectively with your peers and teachers by delivering a teaching session
• Frame a specific research question relating to patient or population health, and to identify the appropriate study design(s) to address it
• Apply the principles of statistics as applied to quantitative health research (calculating study sample size, using the correct statistical methods as appropriate to the data and questions being asked, and how to interpret the different analyses)
• Understand the principles and practice of research governance
• Plan a research proposal to address a specific research question
• Demonstrate development of your ability to present to a group as a teacher
• Demonstrate the principles of economic evaluation and be able to describe how such evaluations are used to inform health care decision making
• Critically appraise peer reviewed papers on translational research, diagnosis, interventions, systematic reviews of interventions
• Explain how evidence based guidelines are produced, and describe their role in informing health care decision making
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles and explain the role of qualitative methods in health research
• Communicate by spoken, written and electronic methods and be aware of other methods of communication
• Manage your time, prioritise work and revision tasks, and work autonomously when necessary and appropriate
• Identify tools for a literature search on a specific research question
• Describe the principles of measurement (reliability and validity), and demonstrate questionnaire design and sampling
• Use information technology to capture, store and manipulate data related to medical practice
• Understand ethical principles of research and the role of ethics committees
• Demonstrate the ability to positive working relationships and work as part of a team to develop both your own leadership skills and the ability to accept leadership by others
• Plan, develop and deliver a teaching session and give constructive and effective feedback to others
• Continually and systematically reflect on practice and, whenever necessary, translate the reflection into action, using improvement techniques

In order to meet the learning outcomes, the syllabus will contain teaching in the following areas:

• Critical Appraisal of medical evidence
• Appraising Medical Evidence
• Introduction to epidemiology
• Statistical methods in research
• Experimenting with teaching and learning styles
• Introduction to teaching and learning
• Planning and developing a teaching & learning session
• Research methodology
• Understanding research methods
• Using statistics in practice
• Quantitative and qualitative methods
• Health economics
• Managing and analysing research data and literature
• Managing and analysing research data
• Preparing a literature review
• Effective use of the library
• Putting research into practice
• Principles of research ethics
• Good clinical practice
• Project-specific training

During the module, students will select a study topic, see practice at their chosen project location and commence a literature search in their chosen subject area in preparation for undertaking their Research Project in Year 3.

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be taught through a range of learning and teaching strategies which will include:

• Lectures
• Small group teaching
• Guided self-study
• Web based exercises
• Peer teaching
• eLearning

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Please see the Blackboard module page for current resources. and the full reading list for this module is available on the Library Online Reading List at http://soton.rl.talis.com/.

Assessment strategy

At the end of year 2 there is a synoptic examination comprising four elements; a written paper, MCQ and practical paper covering material from Renal, Nervous System, Gastro-intestinal System, Endocrine and Life Cycle and Research for Medicine and Health modules. There is compensation between these three components however a qualifying mark needs to be achieved in each of the components. Students who fail any/all of these components will have a supplementary attempt which will consist of all 3 components. A fourth stand alone component of the synoptic exams is a Critical Appraisal which must be passed independently of the other three components and without compensation. Students who fail the Critical Appraisal component will have a supplementary attempt for that component. Students who fail the supplementary examinations will be offered a repeat year.

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