PMM2RP-Research Project in Clinical and Health-related Sciences

Module Provider: Pharmacy
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Becky Green
Email: rebecca.green@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module is aimed at postgraduate students who wish to undertake detailed and original research or scholarship on a topic in clinical and health-related sciences. Students will develop skills of research and enquiry as they design, undertake and report findings from an original research project or clinical quality or service improvement project relevant to their future professional practice. Projects offered will be allied to the research interests and/or professional practice of project supervisors or will be quality and service improvement opportunities offered by placement providers or in the student’s workplace.

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with experience of research and scholarship in a clinical and health-related sciences area through the design and execution of an original research project, quality improvement or service evaluation project.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Design and execute an original research project, quality improvement or service evaluation project.


2. Show evidence of independent research skills, enquiry and scholarship.


3. Demonstrate a clear and in-depth understanding of the chosen topic and its wider field of study


4. Discuss the ethical considerations of the project and obtain ethical approval, ifneeded.


5. Collect, synthesise and critically interpret original qualitative or quantitative data using appropriate methods.


6. Present the findings of the project and formulate appropriate recommendations

Students will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the current research literature published on their chosen research area and identify a research question to investigate.  Students will design a research plan to successfullyanswer the research question posed using appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative research methods. Students will undertake the research project, collecting and critically evaluating the data generated to address the research question or hypothesis posed. Students will present their research findings in the form of a written dissertation, a research poster and an oral examination. Student will record and reflect on the development of their research and enquiry skills and how they relate to future professional practice in a reflective learning account. 

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop a broad knowledge of their chosen research or clinical topic and their independent learning skills. Students also will extend their communication and analytical skills through participation in critical discussions with their supervisor and presentation of their work at a research showcase event. Students will also have an awareness of the ethical implications of their work and, when appropriate, health and safety considerations.

Outline content:

Students will design and undertake an original research project on a topic relevant to clinical practice or health-related sciences. Supported by an assigned academic supervisor, students will study the background to the research area chosen and develop a research question to investigate further.  Where ethics approval is required, students will be guided through the ethical review processes by their assigned supervisor.  Using appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative research methods, students will collect, collate, analyse and interpret their projects’ findings.  The findings of the student projects will be presented in a written dissertation and as a poster presentation.

Global context:

Students may select to undertake research projects in clinical and health sciences that have wider international significance.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Students will undertake an original research project in an area in clinical or health-related sciences. With the support and guidance of a project supervisor, students will lead the design and execution of the project. Support will be provided throughout the project through regular one-to-one meetings with the project supervisor.  An opportunity to receive feedback on the written assignments before their submission will be offered.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Project Supervision	50	150	10
Guided independent study:	50	50	90
Total hours by term	100	200	100
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	10
Dissertation	50
Project output other than dissertation	10
Oral assessment and presentation	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

This module will be assessed by four summative assignments; a dissertation (limited to 8000 words), an oral examination, a poster presentation and a reflective learning account (limited to 1000 words).  The submission dates for assessed work will depend on which post-graduate Masters programme students are enrolled on. The dissertation will be due at the end of the second term of study.  The oral examination will normally be scheduled 4-6 weeks following the submission of the dissertation.  The poster presentation will normally take place during the second term of study and will be scheduled as part of a departmental research showcase event. The reflective learning account will be submitted two weeks after the final oral examination.

Formative assessment methods:

Formative assessment methods used to support skills development and improve student performance will include peer review of research proposals and critical evaluation of research articles.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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:

Students must achieve an overall weighted average mark of 50% to pass this module.

Reassessment arrangements:

Students requiring reassessment will have their module mark capped at 50%.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Printing and binding: approx. £50.00

Last updated: 30 March 2023