2022/23 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MEDR5310M Getting started in health research

15 creditsClass Size: 45

Module manager: Rachael Kelly & Rebecca Hawkins
Email: R.S.Kelley@leeds.ac.uk; R.Hawkins@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2022/23

Pre-requisite qualifications

As per student's parent programme

Module replaces

MEDR3010M Introducing researchMEDR3020M Writing and Disseminating research

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module is an introduction to practical health research and to orientate new researchers in the important knowledge and skills related to writing and disseminating research.

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 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 they 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

Where able to be taught Face-to-Face the teaching style for this module will be active and participative. Where the module is taught entirely online we will replicate ‘group activities’ and students will be asked to complete online tasks and activities that mirror the pre-Covid19 teaching style., Students will be introduced to: philosophy of research, quantitative and 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 (or if taught online will have access to the computer software remotely) to learn about: search strategies to locate published research information using electronic reference databases.
Students will 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.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Problem Based Learning	1	4.25	4.25
Small Group Learning	1	1.25	1.25
Small Group Learning	2	1.50	3.00
Lecture	3	1.50	4.50
Practical	1	1.25	1.25
Practical	1	1.50	1.50
Seminar	1	1.25	1.25
Seminar	4	1.50	6.00
Independent online learning hours			4.00
Private study hours			123.00
Total Contact hours			23.00
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

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 type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course MCQ	Formative quiz	0.00
Problem Sheet	Individual completion of workbook begun in class activity	50.00
Report	1x hypothetical proposal 1,000 words	50.00
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. Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/04/2022 15:42:19

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