HS859-7-FY-CO:
Research Activity
2024/25
Health and Social Care (School of)
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 30 September 2024
Monday 29 September 2025
30
20 May 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
HS858
(none)
(none)
MSC B93024 Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration),
MSC B62024 Speech and Language Therapy (Pre-Registration)
This module seeks to further advance students’ research and problem solving skills to enable them to undertake research in their future practice and use critically the research of others to inform their practice.
This module aims to further advance your critical appraisal, research and problem solving skills, to enable you to use critically the research of others to inform your practice, and to undertake research in your future practice
This module requires you to demonstrate research skills, analytical capability and creative thinking. You are able to pursue an area of interest, to identify practice issues and to translate one of these into a research question focusing on your respective profession and potential clinical application. In undertaking this module, you have the opportunity to demonstrate in-depth understanding of a specific area of practice.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Translate practice issues into a research question.
- Develop and finalise the detailed research activity plan, protocol or proposal suitable for the relevant assessment choice initiated in HS858 (ie. primary data research proposal; scoping review protocol, case study proposal or proposal following critical review) or develop new areas of interest.
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge in a specific area of practice.
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of the research process.
- Demonstrate analytical capability.
The module builds on Module HS858 Using Evidence in Health Care Practice; in that module you developed knowledge and skills in sourcing and appraising existing evidence to support and inform your practice. This module furthers this by supporting your insight, understanding and abilities in the creation of new evidence for practice.
This module will be delivered via:
- Initial Launch session within programme.
- Individual tutorials; students will be allocated an individual research supervisor.
- Moodle support and resources.
- Dissertation examples from previous students are available for study on the Moodle site; these can be used by both students and supervisors.
- Library support sessions offered to those seeking additional support – please contact the HSC librarian for these.
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Aveyard, H. (2023)
Doing a literature review in health and social care: a practical guide. Fifth edition. Maidenhead, England: McGraw-Hill Education/Open University Press. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/2344343.
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Aveyard, H. and Sharp, P. (2017)
A beginner’s guide to evidence-based practice in health and social care. Third edition. London: Open University Press, McGraw-Hill Education. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6212202.
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Aveyard, H., Sharp, P. and Woolliams, M. (2015)
A beginner’s guide to critical thinking and writing in health and social care. Second edition. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/339527.
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Bowling, A. and Ebrahim, S. (2005a)
Handbook of health research methods: investigation, measurement and analysis. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Available at:
https://search-ebscohost-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=233864&site=ehost-live&authtype=sso&custid=s9814295.
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Denscombe, M. (2021)
Good Research Guide: Research Methods for Small-Scale Social Research. 7th edition. Milton Keynes: Open University Press. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/976632.
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Wa-Mbaleka, S. and Rosario, A. (eds) (2022)
The SAGE handbook of qualitative research in the Asian context. Los Angeles: SAGE. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/1930380.
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Kaplan, D. (2004)
The Sage handbook of quantitative methodology for the social sciences. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage. Available at:
https://methods-sagepub-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/book/the-sage-handbook-of-quantitative-methodology-for-the-social-sciences.
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Greenhalgh, T. (2019)
How to read a paper: the basics of evidence-based medicine and healthcare. Sixth edition. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Available at:
https://search-ebscohost-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=2098134&site=ehost-live&authtype=sso&custid=s9814295.
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Fink, A. (2019)
Conducting research literature reviews: from the internet to paper. Fifth edition. Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publicaitons, Inc. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/650308.
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Holloway, I. and Galvin, K. (2017a)
Qualitative research in nursing and healthcare. Fourth edition. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons. Available at:
https://search-ebscohost-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1295509&site=ehost-live&authtype=sso&custid=s9814295.
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McQueen, R.A. and Knussen, C. (2013a)
Introduction to research methods and statistics in psychology: a practical guide for the undergraduate researcher. Second edition. Harlow: Pearson Education. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5173618.
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Neale, J. (2009)
Research methods for health and social care. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=4763752.
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Pring, T. (2005) Research methods in communication disorders. London: Whurr.
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Pope, C., Mays, N. and Popay, J. (2007)
Synthesizing qualitative and quantitative health evidence: a guide to methods. Maidenhead: Open University Press, McGraw Hill Education. Available at:
https://search-ebscohost-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=234242&site=ehost-live&authtype=sso&custid=s9814295.
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Porter, S.B. (2008) First steps in research: a pocketbook for healthcare students. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
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Howitt, D. and Cramer, D. (2017)
First Steps In Research and Statistics. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd. Available at:
https://www-taylorfrancis-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/books/9780203457320.
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Robson, C. and McCartan, K. (2022) Real World Research. 5th Revised edition. John Wiley & Sons Inc.
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Rumsey, S. (2008)
How to find information: a guide for researchers. 2nd ed. Maidenhead, England: Open University Press. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=345140.
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Walker, J. and Almond, P. (2010)
Interpreting statistical findings: a guide for health professionals and students. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?pq-origsite=primo&docID=771395.
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Wallerstein, N. (2017)
Community-Based Participatory Research for Health - Advancing Social and. New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/345407.
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Offredy, M. and Vickers, P. (2010)
Developing a Healthcare Research Proposal. John Wiley & Sons Inc. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?pq-origsite=primo&docID=1187728.
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Blokdyk, G. (2018) Advanced Statistical Methods for Healthcare Research A Complete Guide - 2019. 5starcooks.
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Denscombe, M. (2017)
The good research guide: for small-scale social research projects. Sixth edition. London: Open University Press. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6212204.
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Hicks, C. (2009)
Research methods for clinical therapists: applied project design and analysis. 5th ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1721243.
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Moule, P. (2020)
Making Sense of Research in Nursing, Health and Social Care. 7th Revised edition. London: SAGE Publications Ltd. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/646848.
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Saks, M. and Allsop, J. (eds) (2019)
Researching health: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. 3rd edition. London: SAGE Publications Ltd. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/402795.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
8000-Word Dissertation |
07/07/2025 |
100% |
Additional coursework information
The choices of assessment are:
A detailed critical literature review and research proposal (maximum of 8000 words altogether), which could form the basis for a submission to a Research Ethics Committee.
OR
Empirical research study. Written up as if for publication using general publication guidelines (8000 words)
OR
Scoping review for publication (8000 words)
OR
Literature review and single case study–written up as if for publication (8000 words)
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
100 per cent Coursework Mark
Reassessment
100 per cent Coursework Mark
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Simone Coetzee, email: scoetzee@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Ioanna Vasilopoulou, email: ioanna.vasilopoulou@essex.ac.uk.
HSC teaching staff supervise individual students
E: hscsltadmin@essex.ac.uk & hscot@essex.ac.uk (SLT/OT Administrators)
No
No
No
Mr Andrew John Walsh
Birmingham City University
Route Director for Diploma Mental Health Nursing and Module leader
Ms Helen Raffell
Newcastle University
Senior Lecturer
Dr Sunny Chan
UWE Bristol
Senior Lecturer
Available via Moodle
Of 12 hours, 12 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
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