2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LAUT2015 Research Methods Module

30 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Helen Crosby
Email: helen.crosby@nhs.net

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisite qualifications

Mature Entry Scheme
or
Certificated evidence of successful completion of study at level 1.
and
English Language Qualification GCSE Grade C or above

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module covers the nature of quantitative and qualitative research and the application of different methods in the addiction field. Methods of literature search and review are explored as are the principles of different approaches to data collection and analysis. Basic descriptive and inferential statistics are covered with the aim that students should be able to read and understand the research literature and the relationship between research, policy and practice.

Objectives

1. Knowledge and understanding of different research designs appropriate to the addiction field.
2. Basic understanding of the concepts of reliability and validity.
3. Basic knowledge of how qualitative and quantitative data might be analysed (advanced statistics not required).
4. Knowledge of basic literature searching methods.
5. Appreciation of ethical issues pertaining to the research process.
6. Awareness of how research theory relates to practice in the addiction field.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
- Describe how different research designs and methodologies are used to answer different research questions;
- Critically appraise research literature and identify the principle designs and methods used;
- Discuss the concepts of reliability and validity;
- Appreciate the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods and their relative merits;
- Undertake a literature review and present key findings;
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of qualitative and quantitative data and the common tools that might be used for data collection and analysis;
- Appreciate ethical issues pertaining to the research process;
- Demonstrate an understanding of how research may contribute to evidence-based practice.

Skills outcomes
Background in addiction studies or practice
Literature searching
Evaluating research papers
Oral presentation

Syllabus

1. What kinds of Research are there?
2. What is Quantitative Research?
3. What is Qualitative Research?
4. How might these be applied to the addictions field?
5. Undertaking a Literature Review
6. Data collection methods.
7. Basic statistical skills
7. Writing Research Proposals and Reports
8. The relationship between research, policy and practice.
9. The significance of ethics and values to the research process.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Tutorial	10	0.50	5.00
Private study hours			295.00
Total Contact hours			5.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Being a distance learning module, the majority of student learning is through private study and independent learning, guided by a study manual which replaces lectures. This is supplemented by reference lists for reading source materials and supported by telephone tutorials and email correspondence (see above).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- End of unit checklist of topics covered
- Module Leader feedback (through tutorials and detailed assignment feedback) on outline plans for the review including verbal and written feedback on oral presentation before final submission of written literature review.
- Personal Tutor feedback (where student chooses to use this resource)
- Telephone tutorials
- Detailed feedback on first assignment. Tutorial advice and feedback

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay or Dissertation	Critical appraisal of research paper 2500 words	40.00
Literature Review	3,500 words.	40.00
Presentation	Verbal presentation marked in combination with literature review, above. 20 mins + 10 mins questions. The second assignment for this module is a combined written literature review and oral presentation The students will submit a synopsis of their literature review in advance of the presentation, and then the full review two weeks after their oral presentation. This will give them an opportunity to make amendments to their written review in the light of discussion and feedback on the oral presentation.	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Compensation between assessments is permitted.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/07/2015

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