PE4S116 - Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal 01 Sep 2019 - 31 Aug 2031 | Version 4

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PE4S116
Module Title: Research Methodologies and Critical Appraisal
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Allied Health and Chiropractic
Faculty Sub Group: Clinical Services
Module Leader: Karl New
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2016 Final Year of Intake: 2030
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100260 - healthcare science
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 4
Valid From 01 Sep 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2031

Module Aims

To prepare students for an independent research-based project by developing skills in selecting, appraising, discriminating, using evidence and appropriate research/investigative methods to address relevant topics for investigation.

Content Summary

Indicative content to include topics outlined below and/or any other relevant current topics to fulfil the module aims and learning outcomes.

Topics may include:

Quantitative Studies

Statistical Analysis Interpretation

Interpreting the Evidence 

Meta-analysis and Systematic Reviews

Qualitative Studies

Evidence Appraisal: Interpreting, Weighing and Synthesising the Evidence

Audit, Governance and Quality Improvement, Health Economics

Preparing a Research Proposal: Research Committees, Consent, Ethics, Probity and Literature Review

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Seminars 40
Independent Study 80
Direct Study (including online independent learning) 40
Problem/Challenge-based Learning 40
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically analyse and interpret research to assess its application to delivery/service development.
LO2 Evaluate and synthesise diverse methodological approaches and research tools to formulate and investigate complex questions within your field of practice

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Online Assessment Time-constrained assessment (Online) 1 Assessment to be completed in a specific timescale, which is neither an invigilated examination nor a piece of coursework. To be completed over an extended period (e.g. a 2-hour task to be completed within 48 hours, or a 24-hour assessment). Learna: End of module 1-hour Case-based Multiple-choice Examination related to research methodologies and critical appraisal to be completed within a 10-day period. 90 N/A 30 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Self Reflective Assessment 1 A personal record of a student’s learning experiences. It requires students to record and reflect upon their observations and responses to situations, which can then be used later to explore and analyse ways of thinking and being in context. Generally involves critical diaries, learning logs and written / visual journals. Learna: Reflective Journal 0 600 10 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Project 1 A detailed analysis of a topic, involving some original research undertaken by the candidate who makes use of data and/or primary sources. Learna: Completion of an individual/group task related to research methodologies and critical appraisal. 0 1000 20 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 A concentrated inquiry into a single case or subject. Learna: Case-based scenarios and a discussion forum related to research methodologies and critical appraisal. 0 2500 40 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Time-constrained assessment (Online) 1
Self Reflective Assessment 1
Project 1
Case study 1

Reading List

The module reading list is available to the students to access via electronic links on the learning platform (Moodle).

In addition to the list below, each list is supplemented with up-to-date peer-reviewed journal articles and studies that are continually refreshed as guidelines change and new treatments and technologies emerge.

Additional reading resources are also provided where relevant by the tutors during the running of the module in the discussion forum to keep the reading resources current and relevant.

Indicative MSc Module 1 Reading:

Websites

USW library A-Z Databases

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Patient.info

Trip Medical Database Textbooks

Bruce, N., Pope, D., Stanistreet, D., (2017). Quantitative Methods for Health Research : A Practical Interactive Guide to Epidemiology and Statistics. Second Edition.

Greenhalgh, T., (2019). How to read a paper: The basics of evidence-based medicine and healthcare, 6th Edition, Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell.

Sabin, P.C., (2019). Medical statistics at a glance. 4th Edition. Wiley-Blackwell.

Walliman, N., (2022). Research Methods: The Basics : 3rd Edition. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge (Basics). Articles

Cochrane (2019). Making what can’t be counted count: Cochrane-WHO collaboration on qualitative evidence syntheses in guidelines showcased in new articles

Downe, S., Finlayson, K.W., Lawrie, T.A., Lewin, S.A., Glenton, C., Rosenbaum, S., Barreix, M. and Tunçalp, Ö. (2019). Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) for Guidelines: Paper 1–Using qualitative evidence synthesis to inform guideline scope and develop qualitative findings statements. Health research policy and systems, 17(1), pp.1-12.

Fuller, Daniel, Richard Buote, and Kevin Stanley. (2017) \\\"A Glossary for Big Data in Population and Public Health: Discussion and Commentary on Terminology and Research Methods.\\\" Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 71.11: 1113-1117. Web.