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2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: NURM036 Module Title: RESEARCH PROJECT (MSC DISSERTATION)
Module Provider: Health & Social Care Short Name: RESEARCHPROJ
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: KELLY M Ms (HSC)
Number of credits: 60 Number of ECTS credits: 30
 
Module Availability
Semester 2
Assessment Pattern
The assessment for this module consists of a dissertation (15,000+/- 10% words) based on one of the following three options:

1) research project
2) practice development project
3) systematic review of the literature
Module Overview
Prerequisites/Co-requisites
Module Aims
• critically review the relevant literature
• examine current knowledge in relation to the chosen project area
• develop a research question within a key area of interest relevant to practice
• prepare a proposal for submission to an Ethics Committee, where applicable
• undertake a project under supervision, by adhering to the research process
• organise and complete a research project and produce a project report
• disseminate the findings.
Learning Outcomes
On completing this module the student should be able to:
Subject knowledge and understanding
• evaluate the relevant literature
• formulate an appropriate research question and produce a research proposal
• have an understanding of the research and policy context for the particular project

Practical skills
• produce a research proposal and gain local or university Ethics Committee approval where appropriate
• organise and conduct the project under supervision
• collect and analyse appropriate data
• discuss the findings relevant to advanced practice and policy

Cognitive skills
• consider the ethical implications of their particular research proposal
• analyse data, utilising appropriate analytical methodologies
• discuss the implications of their findings for practice

Key skills
• write a dissertation to meet university criteria
• disseminate findings to a variety of audiences
• demonstrate a high level of understanding of the research process.

Module Content
Most of the taught component for the dissertation module would have been taught in the Research for Practice module and consolidated by compulsory attendance at the Dissertation Workshops and supervision meetings.
The conduct of the dissertation will be managed through the supervision process. Students will be allocated a main supervisor and sometimes a co-supervisor for the duration of their dissertation work. The supervisor may be your personal tutor and/or pathway leader, although this allocation would be guided by the choice of topic and methodology chosen.
The dissertation is the personal work of each student and occupies a significant part of the programme and it should be selected under the guidance of the research supervisor.
The focus of the dissertation should be on an aspect of advanced practice in the student’s field (e.g. Learning and teaching, midwifery, cancer care, care of older people) that can be supported by expertise within the Division of Health and Social Care.
The student can employ any design but should have particular regard for the ethical aspects of any method selected. In addition a self-reflective account of the way the student has developed during the programme should be included.
To support the content of this module, a dissertation guidance handbook has been produced.
Three workshops each of two hours duration will be facilitated annually to support students/supervisors.
Methods of Teaching/Learning
Taught: 15 hours (workshops and supervision)
Self-directed: 585 hours 

The outline for each of these workshops is as follows:

INDUCTION This will include an introduction to the handbook, guidance booklet
opportunity to meet their supervisor(s). Please note; you will only be required to attend one induction.


WORKSHOP 1 The focus is on undertaking a literature review. If students are in the
aspects of their work. Opportunities will be given to students to explore and develop their research questions and report on their progress relating to their ethical application.

WORKSHOP 2 The focus on the data collection process. Students will work in
interviews, questionnaires and observations. This will be facilitated by experts in the field.

WORKSHOP 3 This focuses on data analysis. At this stage, students would have
this area. The structure of the dissertation will also be explored.










Selected Texts/Journals
SUGGESTED READING

This list of resources is to be used as a guide to address all three options. Please seek advice from your supervisor(s).

Ben J. (2005) Doing your research project: a guide for first time researchers in education & social sciences (3rd edn.) Open University Press, Milton Keynes.

Bowling A. & Ebrahim S. (2005) Handbook of Health Research Methods: Investigation, measurement and analysis. Oxford University Press, Milton Keynes.

Field A. (2005) Discovering statistics using SPSS (3rd edn) Sage, London.

Gray D.E. (2009) Doing Research in the Real World (2nd edn) Sage Publication, London

Marshall C. & Rossman G. (2006) Designing Qualitative Research. (4th edn.) Sage, USA

Oliver P. (2003) The student’s guide to research ethics. OU Press, Milton Keynes.

Parahoo K. (2006) Nursing Research: Principles, Process and Issues. (2nd edn.) Palgrave, Basingstoke

Pawson R. & Tilley N. (1997) Realistic Evaluation. Sage, London

Proctor S. & Renfrew M. (eds) (2000) Linking research and practice in midwifery. Bailliere Tindall, London.

Silverman D. (2006) Interpreting Qualitative Data: Methods for Analysing Talk, Text and Interaction. (3rd edn.) Sage Publication, London.

Stake R. (1995) The Art of Case Study Research. USA, Sage.

Strauss A. & Corbin J. (2008) Basics of Qualitative Research. (3rd edn.) Sage, London.

Streubert Speziale H.J., & Rinaldi Carpenter, D. (2006) Qualitative Research in
Nursing: Advancing the Humanistic Imperative. (4th edn.) Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia.

Watson R., Atkinson I., Egerton P. (2006) Successful Statistics for Nursing & Healthcare. Palgrave, Basingstoke

Journals

The following list of suggested journals gives some direction – students will be directed to an appropriate and timely selection of journal articles for discussion, critical review and presentation.

Critical Social Policy Qualitative Health Research
Social Science & Medicine Journal of Advanced Nursing
Journal of Research in Nursing International Journal of Nursing Studies
Nursing Inquiry Nursing Ethics
Professional Social Work Practice Development in Health Care
Journal of Clinical Nursing Journal of Curriculum Studies
Radical Pedagogy Nurse Education Today
Journal of Continuing Education Nurse Researcher
Western Journal of Nursing Research

Useful Websites and Databases:

Cochrane: http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/clibintro.htm
The Cochrane database can be accessed through the UNIS website:
University of Surrey; http://www.surrey.ac.uk/library
York Centre for Systematic Reviews and Dissemination; http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd
Department of Health; http://www.doh.gov.uk
Central Office for Research Ethics; http://www.corec.org.uk
National Institute for Health Research: http://www.nihr.ac.uk/Pages/default.aspx
Research for Patient Benefit: http://www.nihr-ccf.org.uk/site/programmes/rfpb/default.cfm
Integrated Research Application System: https://www.myresearchproject.org.uk/Signin.aspx
Royal College of Nursing Practice Development Unit
http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/researchanddevelopment/kt/pd
http://www.ppdnf.org/index.html
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4083498





Last Updated
3RD AUGUST 2010