As an evidence-based approach to professional working increases throughout organisations, there is a need for professionals to analyse critically within their own practice. This module will prepare students to undertake a work-related research project related to their own working practice and support students to develop the skills to enable this process, including writing a project proposal and ethics application. This module provides students with the opportunity to critically analyse different research methodologies and to appraise the academic literature in order to enable an evidence-based approach with which to increase professional effectiveness.
Total contact hours: 40
Private study hours: 260
Total study hours: 300
This 30 credit module is available during Autumn, Spring and Summer terms.
This module is part of the Master's level programme.
Main assessment methods:
Assignment One (Presentation Oral/Poster) 10 minutes 10%
Assignment Two (Research Proposal) 5000 words 90%
Reading list (Indicative list, current at time of publication):
Bell, J. (2014) Doing Your Research Project: A Guide For First Time Researchers In Education, Health and Social Science. 6th Edn. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Creswell, J. (2014) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 4th Edition. London: Sage.
Gray, D. (2014) Doing Research in the Real World. London: Sage.
Machi, L. & McEvoy, B. (2012) The Literature Review; Six Steps to Success. 2nd Edn. USA: Corwin Press.
O'Leary, Z. (2017) The essential guide to doing your research project. 4th Edn. London: Sage.
Robson, C. and McCarten (2016) Real World Research, 4rd Edn. West Sussex: Wiley and Son Ltd.
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate and appraise research strategies available, both quantitative and qualitative approaches, and the appropriateness of the application of each to addressing different research questions in the professional practice setting.
2. Search and retrieve information and evidence relevant to a specified area of professional practice from key sources and databases, applying inclusion and exclusion criteria to assess the literature base for relevance.
3. Review and critically evaluate selected evidence, synthesising information from key sources and databases regarding relevance to selected area of enquiry using a recognised appraisal tool.
4. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the principles of methodologies, methods of data collection and processes for analysis of data suitable for the successful management of a research project applied in the context of the student's own practice.
5. Demonstrate ability to reflect on the ethical aspects of research, and to compile a formal application, comprising a research project proposal and ethics approval form, for later consideration by the Centre's research ethics approval committee, or other ethics committee, as required by the student's employing organisation.
6. Work collaboratively in the critique and subsequent development of that research project proposal.
PCert / MSc in Advanced and Specialist Healthcare; MA / MSc in Professional Practice
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