HS945-7-FY-CO:
Postgraduate Research Methods
2023/24
Health and Social Care (School of)
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Postgraduate: Level 7
ReassessmentOnly
Tuesday 13 October 2020
Saturday 27 March 2021
30
31 March 2021
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
HS982, SE901, SE902, SE903
In this module you will explore theoretical and practical issues in relation to the research process, with specific emphasis on research in health and social care. You will develop the ability to understand and use relevant research literature, and acquire the skills you need to plan and carry out your own research. A defining feature of the module is that the research principles that are encountered will constantly be applied to real health and social care settings.
This module will help you to develop rigorous critical appraisal skills to support research in health care. You will be required to apply a rich understanding of research in order to develop data collection tools and undertake data analysis.
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. Explain, critically appraise and evaluate a range of research methods that are
commonly used in health and social care research and apply these to your
professional discipline, and evaluate the impact of using research to support policy and practice.
2. Utilise appropriate tools (e.g. PICO, PRISMA) to create a feasible, auditable and
replicable search strategy for academic and grey literature. Select appropriate tools (e.g. CASP, STARLITE) for appraisal of that literature.
3. Synthesise a body of evidence: integrating an assessment of quality with an appraisal of findings; drawing detailed, nuanced, well considered conclusions; and applying research findings to specific contextual issues for evidence based practice within your own professional discipline.
4. Design a simple mixed methods research study defining your research question and creating qualitative and quantitative data collection instruments for a defined study group, taking into consideration research ethics and patient and public participation.
5. Effectively utilise software to carry out either quantitative data or qualitative data
analysis, justifying decisions and creating appropriate output/frameworks and
generating conclusions commensurate with the data.
6. Present work in a professional manner, competently expressed and edited and using language appropriate to the professional discipline and required ethical standards. Use appropriate citation and referencing protocols ensuring that evidence presented is proportionate to the strength of claims made.
There is an appreciation you each bring to this module a diverse range of knowledge and experience of both research and use of on line media. This module aims to utilise and develop this expertise as both a group and individually to further your studies and professional practice
This module provides the opportunity to develop on line learning skills in a supported environment, as it is recognised that students are not equally fluent in using social media and online research methods. E-learning is more than just creating a repository of materials for easy access, creating a site for learning or simply using technology to process information. Rather e-learning embraces a social dimension, new developments in learning theory and a new set of practical skills. Values and theories underpinning the development of this module are drawn from a combined theory of 'multi-modalities' and a 'discourse view of learning' developed by Haythornethwaite & Andrews (2011).
The module is provided fully through an on line learning platform utilising a variety of on line teaching and learning methods to suit a range of student knowledge and competencies in both research and on line learning. The initial activities will be highly structured thus supporting confidence and competence in using on line media, with increasing opportunities for you to manage, contribute and structure your engagement with the materials as the module progresses.
The module will be supported through access to a named tutor who will monitor your progress through the on line programme and provide support as necessary. The module lead and a project worker from the Teaching for Enhanced Learning Team will provide support to tutors in online methods and to students undertaking the online programme. This will be provided through one hour drop-in open IT lab sessions, available to both staff and students.
This module is structured in a similar way to the conventional Research Methods module that is offered by the School of Health and Human Sciences, with comparable content and assessment methods.
The module will require a minimum of one day per week for study.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
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
Ms Susan Stallabrass, email: spstal@essex.ac.uk.
Susan Stallabrass, Dr Leanne Andrews
Susan Stallabrass
E: spstal@essex.ac.uk
Jade D’Mello
Senior Student Administrator
E: jedmel@essex.ac.uk
No
No
Yes
Prof Theodore Schrecker
Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University
Professor of Global Health Policy
Available via Moodle
Of 15 hours, 3 (20%) hours available to students:
12 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
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.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.