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2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
ARCS2146 Research Methods and Evaluation
10 creditsClass Size: 100
Module manager: Theresa Munyombwe
Email: T.Munyombwe@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2017/18
Module replaces
HECS 2146This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
In this 10-credit level 2 module the student will come to understand the issues facing the healthcare practitioner when undertaking clinical audit, service evaluation or original research, how key research frameworks apply to published or original research through practical examples and the process of conducting and evaluating systematic review.Objectives
The aim of this module is to provide the student with the necessary skills to be able to understand the issues facing the healthcare practitioner when undertaking clinical audit, service evaluation or original research. They will explore how key research frameworks apply to published or original research through practical examples and the process of conducting and evaluating systematic review.Learning outcomes
At the end of this module the student should be able to:
1. Identify a clinical problem and develop a research question informed by appropriate literature search and review
2. Demonstrate how appropriate critical appraisal frameworks can be applied in the process of critical review;
3. Display knowledge of the key differences between clinical audit, service evaluation and original research;
4. Understand the key differences between quantitative and qualitative research methods,
5. Understand the basic methods of quantitative research, data collection and analysis; and the use of common statistical tools used in quantitative data analysis;
6. Demonstrate a basic understanding of data outputs from statistical tools used in quantitative data analysis;
7. Understand the process of undertaking and reviewing a systematic review;
In this module these knowledge outcomes will be achieved through the application of a practical evidence-based approach to content delivery. Along with the key lectures, students will apply their new knowledge each week to practical scenarios with example datasets using workbooks or PCs and appropriate data evaluation software.
Each week in semester 1 will be associated with a particular research method, the appropriate critical appraisal framework and the data analysis tools commonly used to evaluate the data types associated with this type of research in preparation for the 1st assessment.
In semester 2a the student will study clinical audit, service evaluation, original research and systematic review in preparation for the associated assessment.
Skills outcomes
The student undertaking this module should, on satisfactory completion be able to: appraise quantitative research methods; understand the differences between clinical audit, service evaluation and research; be able to apply appropriate methods of analysis for given data types; be able to use statistical software packages appropriately; interpret and understand results outputs from this software.
Syllabus
Module delivery will include the following topics:
- how to read a paper: clinical problems and introduction to critical appraisal frameworks (RCT, cohort, case control studies surveys, diagnostic tests) and applying them to the critical appraisal process;
- quantitative research methodologies;
- an overview of qualitative research methodologies;
- practical data analysis for each framework through real-world examples in the IT lab using University supported commercial statistical analysis packages or workbooks;
- understanding data outputs from statistical analysis software packages;
- Library training for advanced database searches & creating optimal search strategies;
- Clinical audit; differences between clinical audit, service evaluation & real world research;
- How to interpret and perform a systematic review of published literature;
- Developing a research proposal.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Group learning | 4 | 1.00 | 4.00 |
| Lecture | 12 | 2.00 | 24.00 |
| Practical | 4 | 1.00 | 4.00 |
| Private study hours | 68.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 32.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
The 68 hours of private study that have been allocated to you for this module are to enable you to prepare and supplement your notes for this module, as well as complete the groups work sheets associated with this module. They will also allow you to prepare for and undertake formative and summative assessments. The breakdown of activities are identified as follows:38 hours reading/writing up notes
5 hours Group workbook/worksheet completion
25 hours assessment preparation
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
On line mock exam in preparation for the summative assessment in January.Completion of workbooks
The project proposal should enable the student to show understanding of the differences between original research and clinical audit or service evaluation. The student will also have the opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of the process of performing a basic critical review of the published literature associated with their chosen topic.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay or Dissertation | 1250 words | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50.00 | |
There is no compensation between assessment components.
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Unseen exam | 1 hr 00 mins | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50.00 | |
No compensation will be allowed between the two assessment components.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 13/03/2018
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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