PM4A-Pharmaceutical Research and Enquiry

Module Provider: Pharmacy
Number of credits: 60 [30 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites: PM3A Therapeutics and Medicines Optimisation D and PM3B Therapeutics and Medicines Optimisation E and PM3C Delivering Pharmacy Services 2
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: PM4B Advanced Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Practice
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Graeme Cottrell
Email: g.s.cottrell@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This research-focused module provides students with the opportunity to take the lead on a research topic. The module is made up of three components: 1) development of research and enquiry skills, 2) attendance at research seminars upon which an assessable piece of coursework is undertaken and 3) a research project assessed by a project write-up, project performance, a poster session and a final project viva.

The module has an online component that introduces generic and discipline-specific advanced research skills. The online material will aid students in the execution of their research projects. Online material will enable students to learn about the research skills needed in their own time and cater for students undertaking projects abroad or away from the university.

The research seminar series will comprise of talks given by staff and (if available) an external industrial speaker on their own research areas. Each student will be asked to complete a reflective statement based on these seminars. The reflective statement will allow students to demonstrate that they understand the benefits of reflection, develop a reflective approach to continuing professional development and link theory and practice in reflective writing.

Aims:

The module will further develop students’ research and enquiry skills. Students will undertake original research in an area of relevance to pharmacy through the design and execution of an individual project, under the direction of an academic supervisor.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will:

1. On the basis of current research literature and with individual support from an academic supervisor, construct a hypothesis or a research question and then carry out a research project to test that hypothesis or to answer that research question.


2. Prepare a report of the project in the form of a research paper demonstrating comprehensive understanding and critical interpretation of their methodologies and data to set the research in context.


3. Present their research findings in the form of a poster, as well as in an oral examination (viva).


4. Learn about aspects of the research process from the seminar series across the three different areas of pharmacy and industry and undertake a single exercise aimed at demonstrating that they understand the benefits of reflection, develop a reflective approach to continuing professional development and link theory and practice in reflective writing.

Additional outcomes:

1. Students will provide constructive feedback to peers on their research and presentation.


2. Students will demonstrate independent learning skills through use of online lecture and tutorial resources that provide the skills needed to complete their project.


3. Students will be required to take account of aspects relating to health and safety at all times during their project.


4. Students will have an awareness of ethical considerations relating to developing research projects.


5. Some projects give students experience in the use of patient records.

Outline content:

Module topics:

Introductory Research Skills Sessions: These sessions will be available online to enable students to learn about the research skills needed for their individual projects. There will be four separate streams: 1) Generic 2) Pharmacy Practice 3) Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and 4) Pharmacology research skills. All students will view the generic research skills stream and at least one other that will depend on the focus of their individual research project. Students will record the material viewed in a log book at the end of the project report. This material is designed to be able to be taught remotely, to enable students to prepare for their projects in their own time. The material can also be accessed by students who take opportunities to study abroad or do research away from the university.

Research Projects: Students are provided with individual research projects covering a variety of topics and will develop a research question and prepare an Outline proposal for approval by their supervisor. Students are expected to record meetings with their supervisor, ethics approval process (if required) and ensure timely progress during the project design phase and to formalise meetings with their supervisor both before and during the practical period for the project. Each meeting, training point or progress indicator will be signed and dated by the supervisor (if provided by the student). Students will attend two meetings with their supervisor prior to the project work beginning (the first to be conducted in the previous summer term after allocation of projects has occurred) and one meeting where the supervisor should attend for the Outline Proposal to be signed off. During the project work period, students will formally attend weekly meetings (if required) with their supervisors. MPharm project conference: The project work will take place over a 10-week period with an MPharm poster conference organised in the spring term. Assessment of the poster will be by 3rd and 4th markers. The poster can either be printed out as A1 (at the student’s expense) or as a series of A4 sheets. Finally, students will be assessed by their supervisor and another academic (different from the 3rd and 4th markers for the poster) during a viva to be held after the exam period has finished.

Research Seminar Series: The module will include a seminar series where staff from each section and/or an external industrial speaker will showcase their own research activities, explaining to students how their interest in a specific area of research developed, the rationale for a single research topic or experiment, how they determined appropriate research methods and analysis and interpretation of data and their future plans and expectations. The presenters will provide a balanced view of the outcome and encourage discussion with students. Thesesessions will provide the students with the necessary tools to tackle the associated exercise, which will take the form of a reflective statement (2 sides A4 max).

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching is provided in the form of seminars and one-to-one and/or group supervision. In some circumstances students are provided with training a laboratory setting. Students working the laboratory are trained in laboratory safety by the School Health and Safety Officer (additional building-specific training is also provided, if required). Students are provided with a formal 1 h meeting to discuss feedback on their draft reports and posters to help them understand the feedback and improve the quality of their written work and poster. Students are provided with examples of essay assignments (and model answers) and posters via Blackboard.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	10
Project Supervision	10	1
Practicals classes and workshops	15
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	40
Wider reading (directed)	40
Preparation for presentations		8
Preparation for performance			8
Carry-out research project	240
Dissertation writing	100	40
Essay preparation	70
Reflection	10	8
Total hours by term	535	57	8
Total hours for module	600

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	10
Report	50
Project output other than dissertation	25
Oral assessment and presentation	10
Practical skills assessment	5

Summative assessment- Examinations:
N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1 essay: due in week 8

1 poster presentation:  in week 25

1 viva: after final written exam (usually week 38/39)

Formative assessment methods:

Students are provided with an opportunity for a weekly meeting during the autumn term. In addition, they are provided with a formal 1 h meeting to discuss feedback on their draft reports and posters.

Students are expected to submit draft reports and posters for feedback. If the student submits late then this will affect the mark for the performance and engagement during the module.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The student must obtain an overall module mark of 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination by written dissertation.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022