2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

DSUR5135M Research Project

60 creditsClass Size: 15

Module manager: Dr Simon Wood
Email: s.r.wood@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

Applicants must meet the programme entry requirements

Co-requisites

DSUR5022M

Research Methods Ethics and Statistics

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module is the essential research component of the MSc in Translational Research in Oral Sciences. It will prepare students with the relevant skills to successfully undertake scientific research.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to ...
It aims to provide students with the opportunity to enhance their professional skills through undertaking individual original research projects in a strong research environment. Through carrying out this research project they will develop their understanding of research methodology, good practice and gain experience of working within research groups in the Translational Research field. The module aims to give them the opportunity to enhance their skills in literature searching, data handling and interpretation and in critical appraisal of published research. It also aims to provide insight into the processes of experimental design, project planning and reporting.

Learning outcomes
Through successful completion of this module students will show evidence of being able to:
1. formulate ideas and communicate knowledge through research of publishable quality that would satisfy peer review;
2. demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the subject area and expertise in research skills relevant to research in translational research;
3. work independently, but also to be proactive in developing professional relationships with others;
4. critically evaluate own research data;
5. choose, apply and interpret appropriate statistical tests;
6. demonstrate enhanced understanding of relevant health & safety and ethical issues;
7. demonstrate ability to work safely in a research laboratory or other relevant research environment.

Skills outcomes
Lab skills and techniques appropriate to translational research project.

Syllabus

Students will carry out an original research project which has been designed and approved with a named project supervisor.

On completion of this course, students should have:

• completed a brief project proposal and research/costing plan;
• submitted a preliminary literature review of 3000 words
• completed an application for Ethical Committee approval if appropriate for their project;
• completed a research project that is original and executed with care and diligence;
• produced data of high quality, suitable for contribution to a scientific/clinical peer reviewed publication;
• demonstrated their development of skills in the use of library resources including computer based research tools and databases;
• submitted a Masters research dissertation of approx 10000 words.
• presented their work in an oral presentation and defended it in an oral presentation with questions.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Laboratory	1	2.00	2.00
Supervision Meetings	12	1.50	18.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

• carrying out literature reviews and reading related to their research project.
• preparation of a project proposal and resource justification
• completion of an application for ethical approval if appropriate.
• maintenance of proper records of results, and presentation, analysis and interpretation of data.
• planning research work and writing progress reports.
• write-up of Masters dissertation and preparation for oral presentation.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress is monitored throughout the research project in regular meetings with supervisors (a minimum of 10 throughout the year). Students are also expected to present their research to peers and academics at research group meetings.
Early in the first half of the year students will prepare a short research proposal including justification of resources; this will be a formative assessment and will allow the department to assess the availability of resources.
In semester 1 students will write a literature review which will be submitted and assessed by their supervisor(s) using agreed and transparent criteria (10% of marks for module).
Students will be assessed by their supervisors for their diligence and the execution of their research throughout the project (10% of marks awarded at end of project).
Final assessment will be through submission of a research dissertation of approx 10000 words (70%). Candidates will also present and defend their work in an oral presentation with Q&A (10%).

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	~10000 words	70.00
Project	proposal costing ~750 words	0.00
Literature Review	3000 words	10.00
In-course Assessment	of dilligence and execution of research	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		90.00

Individual assessments are compensatable

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Practical Exam / OSCE	1 hr	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		10.00

Oral Presentation followed by questions. The presentation is scheduled for up to one hour but time will be spent both on the oral presentation (20 mins) and on questions and answers (approx 20 mins) Components are compensatable.

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 19/10/2017

Disclaimer

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