Overview

An overview of both quantitative and qualitative research, their approaches to scientific inquiry, their methodologies and related methods, with a focus on a health and social care setting. Students will be given the tools to enable them to become both producers and ‘critical consumers’ of research, to have sufficient knowledge to contribute in a knowledgeable way to ongoing quantitative or qualitative research and to develop research questions and projects.

Assessment Strategy

Threshold: D+ to D- Select a specific topic for individual study; identify a number of research aims; formulate a set of research questions; show an awareness of the importance of formulating an approach to research; design and write a research proposal; show an awareness of the key texts relating to the selected topic of research; demonstrate an ability to summarize the main concerns and research findings of the relevant literature.

Good: B+ to B- Select a specific topic for individual study and explain in detail why it is important and how it relates to the degree programme; identify the aims of the proposed research; formulate a set of research questions; demonstrate an understanding of a variety of research methodologies; design and write a viable research proposal; show a good understanding of the key texts relating to the selected topic of research; demonstrate an ability to summarize, describe and critically engage with the main concerns and research findings of the relevant literature.

Excellent: A* to A- Select a specific topic for individual study and critically explore why it is important and how it relates to both the empirical and theoretical concerns of the degree programme; identify and convincingly justify the aims of the proposed research; formulate a set of research questions; demonstrate a cogent understanding of a variety of research methodologies; design and write a research proposal which is both viable and innovative; show an excellent understanding of the key texts relating to the selected topic of research; demonstrate an ability to summarize, insightfully describe and critically engage with the main concerns and research findings of the relevant literature.

Satisfactory: C+ to C- Select a specific topic for individual study and explain why it is important and how it relates to the degree programme; identify and justify the aims of the proposed research; formulate a set of research questions; demonstrate a sensitivity about research methodology; design and write a viable research proposal; show a fair understanding of the key texts relating to the selected topic of research; demonstrate an ability to summarize and describe the main concerns and research findings of the relevant literature.

Learning Outcomes

• On completion of this module students will be able to develop a research question, with corresponding aim(s) and objectives that engages with a defined knowledge gap.

• On completion of this module students will be able to develop and utilise robust study designs capable of answering a range of research questions.

• On completion of this module students will be able to identify an appropriate research paradigm in order to address a specific research topic.

• On completion of this module students will be able to identify and critique a range of published evidence in support of developing a valid research question.