Module Aims:

This core module aims to provide all students with an understanding of research as a process from research question construction and systematic examination and synthesis of existing knowledge, through research design, data collection and analysis, to reporting and dissemination. It will equip students with skills to develop the research protocol for their dissertation and project management strategies that they can apply during the course, and beyond. In addition, this module will introduce students to the regulatory and ethical frameworks relevant to population health research and the involvement of patients and the public in research.

Module Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module students should be able to:

1. Appreciate the philosophical underpinnings of research
2. Plan a research project, including development of a research question, implementation of a systematic search strategy and production of a research protocol and analysis plan
3. Critically appraise and synthesise published research literature using appropriate methods
4. Understand the publication, peer review and funding processes
5. Communicate research findings clearly to different audiences, and design an appropriate strategy for achieving impact from population health research findings

Pre-requisites:

Principles of Epidemiology

Teaching Strategy:

The module will be delivered using a combination of lectures, workshops, group discussion and experiential learning. Some reading and preparatory work will be required prior to most sessions.

Assessment:

This module will be assessed by a written research protocol or analysis plan for the dissertation to be handed in three weeks after the end of the module.

Module Length: 6 days split into two parts (2 days in term 1, and then 4 days in term 2)