PMM1RM: Research Methods for Health Sciences

Module code: PMM1RM

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

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Flexible Start Date

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

Module co-convenor: Professor Jane Portlock, email: j.portlock2@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

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: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module is aimed at postgraduate students who want to learn and develop the required research skills for conducting research in clinical and health-related sciences. This module provides students with an introduction to the philosophies of research methods and to the types of skills required to plan, design, conduct and present a piece of original research. This module also aims to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for sampling and collecting qualitative and quantitative data and also introduces appropriate statistical and practical techniques to analyse different types of data. This module has been designed to be delivered through distance learning, using screen and video casting, interactive discussion forums and web-based seminars in the University’s virtual learning environment.  

This module aims to:

• Develop self-sustaining and cogent research management skills at an appropriate level.
• Develop knowledge of a research project lifecycle
• Develop a critical and reflective approach to research practice.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Critically evaluate their own research practice using self-reflection.
2. Reflect on a range of research methodologies.
3. Formulate an appropriate research plan for the purposes of conducting a research project.
4. Develop and critically evaluate research methodology.

Module content

At the end of the module students should have identified a suitable research problem to address through analysis of the literature and with reference to their own environment or interests. They will refine this question following interaction with the resources provided and through discussion with peers and academics. Students will be able to evidence understanding of the background to the research area and design a research plan which could answer the research question posed. Students will write a referenced outline research proposal that will be assessed.

Introduction:

• Introduction to the module – including content, method of delivery and student engagement
• Introduction to learning outcomes and assessments

Ethics:

• Introduction to ethics – what is it and why is it important
• Ethical processes to adhere to (e.g. University of Reading Ethics, NHS ethics) with global context
• Ethical case studies to reflect upon

Evidence based medicine:

• Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine
• Statistical Significance, Probability, Risk and Bias

Research design:

• An introduction to research design
• Quantitative and qualitative methods
• Reflection on various data collection and analysis approaches
• Audit and service evaluation studies

Research lifecycle:

• Literature search and referencing
• Project planning and time management
• Principles of writing, publishing and communicating research papers

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module has been designed to be delivered through distance learning, using screen and video casting, interactive discussion forums and web-based seminars in the University’s virtual learning environment.   

Study hours

At least 0 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 methods used to support skills development and improve student performance will include embedded self-assessment exercises and quizzes, and peer review.

Reassessment

Additional costs