HS427-7-FY-CO:
Research 1: Get Acquainted with Research
2026/27
Health and Social Care (School of)
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 08 October 2026
Friday 02 July 2027
15
16 July 2025
Requisites for this module
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(none)
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MSC B62024 Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-Registration)
This module focuses on applying an evidence-based approach to practice through developing key skills in searching for, selecting and appraising evidence relevant to a topic of choice.
It examines the processes in which research is undertaken and how research design and interpretation have implications for its quality and transferability to practice, and therefore clinical reasoning as a speech and language therapist. It supports the development of critical appraisal skills and enhances knowledge of research methods.
The aims of this module are:
- To encourage a rich understanding of the value of different types of evidence in order to apply evidence in practice settings.
- To enable students to produce and appraise a body of literature to take forward into the planning for whichever dissertation option is chosen.
- To introduce students to the fundamentals of research methodologies and methods including data analysis, and research ethics.
- To help students develop critical appraisal skills to support evidence-based practice in health care.
- To enable students to apply these skills to answer an evidence-based question and identify avenues for future research.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Describe the application of evidence-based practice and the role of research in speech and language therapy.
- Employ appropriate research tools, strategies, and frameworks to formulate and refine practice-based questions.
- Apply systematic search strategies to retrieve relevant peer-reviewed articles and grey literature.
- Compare and contrast research processes and approaches.
- Examine research method(s) and evaluate research ethics from the perspective of a research participant.
- Synthesise and evaluate current research and advanced scholarship to answer a specific question relevant to clinical practice.
- Generate work using language appropriate to the discipline and required ethical and professional standards.
- Use appropriate citation and referencing protocols.
- Formulate claims that are proportionately supported by current research evidence.
Professional body requirements
In order to meet accreditation requirements students will be required to pass this module.
Overview:
This module equips students with knowledge of research and crucial critical appraisal skills relevant to evidence-based practice. It provides the essential foundations to support students to undertake their dissertation the following year.
The module covers topics including:
- Evidence based practice
- Advanced literature searching
- Quantitative research and statistics
- Qualitative research
- Mixed-methods research
- Critical appraisal and critical thinking
- Research ethics
- Writing a literature review
This module will be delivered via:
- Lectures introducing key concepts and topics
- Accompanied by practice seminar sessions which will involve practical activities, small-group work and journal clubs.
- This module also includes essential self-directed learning activities.
There will be specific self-directed learning activities which students must undertake. Students must also undertake the relevant readings and preparation work to engage in discussion, particularly for the seminars.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Yes
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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