Module and Programme Catalogue

Search site

Find information on

2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MEDR5310M Getting started in health research

15 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Bridgette Bewick
Email: b.m.bewick@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisite qualifications

As per student's parent programme

Module replaces

MEDR5190M Introducing researchMEDR5210M Writing and Disseminating research

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

This module is an introduction to practical health research and to orientate new researchers to the important knowledge and skills related to writing and disseminating in research. It will include topics on: developing a research proposal, philosophy of research; literature searching; qualitative and quantitative research design; collecting data using questionnaires; types of data writing funding applications, papers, dissertations or theses, and posters; applying for ethical approval and permissions; evaluation of work by peer review and external examination; dissemination of health research; engaging stakeholders with dissemination of research and implementation; and the impact of research findings.. Critical appraisal of published research will underpin theory.

Learning outcomes
Once a student has successfully completed the module and its assignments he or she should be able to:

- convert general research aims into answerable questions and develop a written proposal
- comprehend the philosophies underpinning the research process
- locate systematically electronic and paper published material using computers, libraries, and other information sources
- record and manage referencing using a bibliographic database
- describe, explain, and understand the important quantitative and qualitative designs
- judge when to use existing questionnaires or devise new ones
- appraise published research by applying systematic guidelines to its interpretation and evaluation
- understand the differences between types of data
- write an application for financial support
- write an application for ethical approval and permissions
- structure the writing-up of a paper, poster, dissertation or thesis
- comprehend the practical aspects of how journal, peer reviewers, and academic examiners scrutinize and evaluate written research
- devise strategies for disseminating, promoting, and implementing research findings in the health service
- formulate a strategy for engaging stakeholders in dissemination of research

Skills outcomes
This module provides students with a critical awareness of research planning and methods and develops their research skills. It will include topics on: developing a research proposal, philosophy of research; literature searching; qualitative and quantitative research design; critical appraisal of published research; and types of data; structuring the writing-up of a paper, poster, dissertation, funding application, or application for ethical approval; understanding how reviewers scrutinize and evaluate written research; understanding how research is disseminated and implemented in the health service; and the importance of stakeholder involvement in dissemination. It also provides students with a critical understanding of writing and dissemination of health research and develops their research skills.


Syllabus

The teaching style for this module will be active and participative. In a series of seminars with group activities, students will be introduced to: philosophy of research, qualitative research design, turning general aims into answerable questions, and developing a research proposal. A problem-based learning method will be used to lead students to knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the architecture of quantitative and qualitative research. Students will work through specially written computer workbooks in the University computer clusters to learn about: search strategies to locate published research information using electronic reference databases, and using the world wide web for research. The class will work together to appraise critically some published research; a systematic set of guidelines for the interpretation and evaluation of the worth of clinical research will be introduced. In seminars: a journal editor (or sub-editor) and a higher degree examiner will set out the processes of appraisal of submitted research work. Health researchers will describe: how research related issues are disseminated, promoted, and implemented in the health service; the characteristics of effective applications for funding and permissions; and, introduce strategies for engaging stakeholders in dissemination and implementation. A problem-based learning method will be use to lead students to a knowledge and understanding of how to edit a research paper towards a final form acceptable to the reader.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Problem Based Learning23.507.00
Lecture11.251.25
Lecture41.506.00
Practical11.251.25
Practical12.002.00
Seminar11.501.50
Seminar12.002.00
Seminar21.002.00
Seminar22.505.00
Independent online learning hours4.00
Private study hours118.00
Total Contact hours28.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)150.00

Private study

Independent online learning will follow on from the formal classes and will make use of a portfolio of materials. Students will also be expected to work in their own time, researching taught and online course work, building up their knowledge using the guidance provided by formal taught and online components of the module.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative assessment will involve monitoring students' progress through discussion both following lectures/seminars and during the group activities. In addition students will complete in their own time an online test (e.g. MCQ/EMQ) with automated feedback that will be marked as a formative assessment.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Problem SheetIndividual completion of workbook begun in class activity30.00
Written Work900 words30.00
Report1x hypothetical proposal 1,000 words40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

The dates on which coursework is set and submitted varies each time the module is delivered. Clear guidance will be given to students at the start of the module.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 06/04/2016

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD

© Copyright Leeds 2019