Dissertation (Mental Health Research) - HEA00164M

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Module summary

In this module, you will undertake an independent research project in the field of mental health. Supported by supervisors, you'll apply the research methodologies, skills and knowledge acquired from taught modules during your programme, specialising in an area of knowledge and research relevant to mental health.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 1 2025-26 to Summer Semester 2025-26

Module aims

This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to undertake an independent research project in the field of mental health. It will enable students to apply the research methodologies, skills and knowledge acquired from taught modules during their programme to a substantive piece of work, and to specialise in a particular area of knowledge and research relevant to mental health.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

1. Critically examine the evidence base for mental health research and practice, using this analysis to formulate research questions.

2. Understand how to plan and structure an independent research project in the field of mental health.

3. Work independently with the support of supervisors to manage a challenging, complex and extended piece of work.

4. Critically appraise current evidence and literature, applying this knowledge to the chosen area of mental health research.

5. Demonstrate the ability to think through different methodological approaches, employing approaches relevant to the topic being researched.

6. Demonstrate synthesis in the interpretation of findings, drawing conclusions that add to the existing knowledge base.

7. Demonstrate the ability to organise time and workload effectively to complete the project.

Module content

Students will be provided with information about the dissertation via induction, the programme handbook and the dissertation VLE module site.

Depending on the topic area, students will have options to undertake their research using a range of approaches, for example, primary research (qualitative and quantitative), evidence synthesis, secondary data analysis.

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Graduate/Postgraduate Dissertation	100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Graduate/Postgraduate Dissertation	100

Module feedback

Written feedback for the summative assessment is provided on the standard proforma, within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.

Indicative reading

Completing a Masters dissertation in the Department of Health Sciences (internal University of York guidance)