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2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: SAMM002 Module Title: PRINCIPLES OF RESEARCH METHODS
Module Provider: Postgraduate Medical School Short Name: PGMSPCM08
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: BALLARD K Dr (PGMS)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability
Three continuous days of contact and Self directed learning.
Assessment Pattern

Components of Assessment

 

 

Method(s)

 

 

Percentage weighting

 

 

Written

 

 

2,500 Word Essay

 

 

100 %

 

 

Module Overview
The process of turning a clinical problem into a research question and subsequently, an achievable research project, requires knowledge and understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different research methods. Within this module, students will learn the principles behind different research methods and will be able to use this knowledge to design an appropriate research project.
Prerequisites/Co-requisites
None
Module Aims

By the end of the module students will be able:

 

 

 

 

  • To enable students to formulate a research question using the most appropriate research methodology.

     

  • To understand the principles of different research methods.

     

  • To recognise the strengths and weaknesses of different research methods.

     

  • To have a basic understanding of how to analyse quantitative and qualitative data.

     

  • To understand the principles underpinning research ethics and governance

     

Learning Outcomes

Subject Knowledge and Understanding

 

The principles and theories of different research methods.

 

 

Strengths and weaknesses of different research designs.

 

 

Different statistical tests and their uses.

 

 

Ethics of carrying out research.

 

 

Ethics of obtaining consent for surgery

 

 

 

 

Cognitive Skills

 

 

Critically appraise different research methodologies.

 

 

Identify clinical problems that would benefit from further research.

 

 

Draw on appropriate methodologies to formulate a research question.

 

 

Assess the validity of outcome measures.

 

 

Identify the most appropriate statistical test for data analysis

 

 

 

 

Practical Skills

 

 

To be able to design a basic postal survey.

 

 

To be able to formulate a research question.

 

 

To design a research project

 

 

 

 

Key Transferable Skills

 

 

Critically appraise and integrate appropriate published work into written assignments.

 

 

Present research ideas to peers.

 

 

Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral and written means.

 

 

Use information technology effectively.
Module Content

Turning a question into a research project

 

 

Designing a survey

 

 

Using validated outcome measures

 

 

Principles of statistics, sample size calculation, describing data, missing variables

 

 

Randomised controlled trials – the gold standard?

 

 

Use of secondary data (i.e. GPRD)

 

 

Principles of qualitative research methods

 

 

Sam pling for qualitative research

 

 

Analysing qualitative data

 

 

Systematic reviews

 

 

Reliability and validity, confounders, standardisation

 

 

Ethical issues relating to research

 

 

Research governance

 

 

Case control studies

 

 

Cohort studies
Methods of Teaching/Learning
A combination of lectures, seminars, plenary sessions, small group tutorials, workgroups and peer review / presentations.
Selected Texts/Journals

This module will be supported by printed notes where necessary. Students will be provided with relevant published papers and have access to the lecture materials and background examples in power point presentations. Further recommended reading includes:

 

 

Essential Text

 

 

Bowling, A. (2002) Research Methods in Health; Investigating health and health services. Open University Press

 

 

Bland, M. (2000) An introduction to Medical Statistics (3rd edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press

 

 

Mays N, Pope C, eds. (1996) Qualitative research in health care. London : BMJ Publishing Group

 

 

Recommended Text

 

 

Bowling, A. (1997) Measuring Health: A review of quality of life measurement scales. Buckingham: Open University Press

 

 

Background Reading

 

 

Rapley, M. (2003) Quality of Life Research: A critical introduction. London : Sage Publications
Last Updated

24th June 2008