Studying at York
Health Research in Practice - HEA00092M
- Department: Health Sciences
- Credit value: 10 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
Related modules
Pre-requisite modules
- None
Co-requisite modules
- None
Prohibited combinations
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| B | Spring Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
This module aims to facilitate learning for students who engage with research data or with the research process, developing skills in the conduct of the early stages of the research process, the critical analysis of research, and in applying research findings to practice.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of research as a process from systematic examination of existing knowledge and research question construction, through research design, data collection and analysis, to reporting and dissemination.
- Describe how concepts such as uncertainty, validity, bias, chance, complexity and causality apply to the evaluation of existing research data and to the design of new health research studies.
- Develop a research question iteratively through systematic review of existing research.
- Describe the range of research designs used in health sciences, and be able to provide a justification for using a particular research design to address a given research question.
- Demonstrate awareness of the practicalities of doing health research and be able to use planning skills in the development of a study protocol.
- Communicate an understanding of ethical issues in study protocol development, including research integrity and validity issues.
- Design an observational, intervention or qualitative study protocol which addresses an important health problem.
Module content
The learning outcomes are strongly connected to engagement with existing research produced, and application of such findings to practice. The module prepares students for the conduct of the early stages of the research process, so that students will be able to use research, informed by insights gained through their own experience of starting to do research. This module can thus be characterised as involving a 'learning by doing' approach.
| Session Number | Topic |
| Session 1 | Introduction to module, the research process & basic concepts in research methods |
| Session 2 | Research protocols & their development |
| Session 3 | Information retrieval and handling |
| Session 4 | Systematic reviews |
| Session 5 | Randomised controlled trials |
| Session 6 | Observational studies |
| Session 7 | Qualitative studies |
| Session 8 | Ethics in health research |
| Session 9 | Integrating session: doing and using research |
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
- Feedback will be given on work developing study protocols throughout the module. Feedback on the formative assessment will determine whether the proposed study idea for protocol development is appropriate for the summative assessment, with advice on beneficial changes.
-
Written feedback for summative assessment is provided on the standard proforma, within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.
Indicative reading
- Bowling, A. (2009). Research Methods in Health: Investigating Health and Health Services. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.
- Robson, C. (2013). Real World Research. 3rd edn. Chichester: Wiley.