PM4PY2: Research Skills

Module code: PM4PY2

Module provider: Pharmacy; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 20

Level: Level 4 (Undergraduate Masters)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Atta Naqvi, email: a.a.naqvi@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE PM3PY1 AND TAKE PM3PY2 AND TAKE PM3PY3 (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE PM4PY1 AND TAKE PM4PY3 (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This research-focused module provides students with the opportunity to learn about different research methodologies as well as developing skills on self-evaluation. The module is made up of a series of taught sessions about scientific writing, ethics, research funding, hypothesis testing, grant proposals, qualitative and quantitative methodologies etc. The module supports students to develop the basic research skills suitable for future practice.  

Aims 

The module will further develop students’ research and enquiry skills. Students will develop their research skills and training need by attending taught sessions and designing a research proposal relevant to disciplines related to pharmacy. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Identify the core aspects of research design and development when undertaking a project
2. Describe relevant ethical and health and safety procedures relating to a project
3. Critically review published literature to develop an original research project
4. Prepare a research proposal by generating a hypothesis or research question and considering appropriate methods of data collection and analysis
5. Demonstrate independent learning skills through use of resources that provide the skills needed to complete their project
6. Evaluate the utility of various research methodologies

Module content

Students are provided with a series lectures and workshops that will include the relevant information needed to develop research skills and write a research proposal. Taught elements of this module will include scientific writing, research ethics, research funding, hypothesis testing, clinical trials, essential IT skills in MS Excel, statistics, and reviews of different research methodologies (including qualitative and quantitative methods). Students are expected to develop an inquiring mind through self-directed study, including reflection on their own skillset. 

The research proposal allows students to explore areas of research they have an interest in.  There is no contractual obligation for the School of Pharmacy to deliver the contents of the proposal. The proposal should set out to provide a clear justification of the topic supported by critical references to relevant literature. There should also be justification of the data collection and proposed analysis. The proposal should also include any relevant health and safety or ethical considerations. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, workshops practicals, directed private study, and self-directed learning. Some of the workshops will utilise a case-based learning-like approach, where students will engage in formative activities e.g., group work, in-class discussion. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided to enable students to improve their own learning skills

Study hours

At least 35 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative assessment is largely based on attendance in lectures, workshops and self-directed assessment and will reinforce each of the learning outcomes of the module. These will be staff, peer, or self- assessed and will include written or online assignments. Staff will also guide and support the students in preparing for the final research proposal assessment. 

Reassessment

Additional costs