AU4D016 - Research Methods 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: AU4D016
Module Title: Research Methods
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Community and Professional Practice Nursing
Faculty Sub Group: Professional Nursing Practice
Module Leader: Stacey Rees
Module Team: Autumn Bevan, Stuart Todd, Anne-Marie Coll, Gareth Kennard-Holden, Kennard Holden
First Intended Intake: APR 2013 Final Year of Intake: 2029
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100290 - nursing
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

To provide a comprehensive grounding in research design, methods and the research process. 

To critically consider the relationship between the research context, research question, method and knowledge development.  

To equip the student with critical appraisal skills. These knowledge and skills will be transferable to other learning and practice settings.

Content Summary

Introduction to the research process. The importance of the research question, how to frame a research question and designing appropriate methods. 

Quantitative approaches including; experimental and non-experimental research designs 

Qualitative approaches including qualitative research design and the underlying differences between Quantitative and Qualitative research design. 

The development of critical analysis using PICO and other critiquing tools. 

Research principles; congruence between process and methodology, credibility, authenticity, validity and reliability. Ethical and cultural implications in research design. Sampling – the sample frame and sampling strategies. 
Data and Information Collection Techniques including interviews, focus groups, survey design and use of secondary data. 

Analysis, interpretation and presentation of data and information: Introduction to quantitative analysis and statistical techniques, describing, analysing and presenting data, recording, handling and analysing qualitative data, tabulation and graphing 

Communication skills in relation to research practice and critique, including writing and presenting materials that are grounded in the evidence, honesty in reporting and prevention of plagiarism

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 26
Seminar 10
Project supervision 5
Independent Study 235
Directed Study 64
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 20
Formative Assessment - Independent 20
Tutorials 10
Total Hours Selected 390

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Design appropriate research approaches to answer different types of research questions
LO2 Critically examine and reflect upon the process involved in the development of a research proposal
LO3 Critically analyse research reports with particular reference to study design

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 A brief outline of a research project to include hypotheses and methodology 0 6000 60 No 40
Synchronous Online Oral Assessment Presentation (Synchronous Online) 2 Aprepared oral presentation on an intended research proposal 20 N/A 40 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1
Presentation (Synchronous Online) 2

Reading List

Bland. M. (2015) An introduction to medical statistics 4th Ed OU Press 

Diamantopoulos A and Schlegelmilch.BB (2000) Taking the fear out of data analysis : a step-by-step approach, Thomson 

Katz, M. H. (2006). Study design and statistical analysis: a practical guide for clinicians. Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University Press 

Moule, P. and Goodman, M. (2014). Nursing research. Los Angeles, California: SAGE, pp.131-155. 

Parahoo, K (2014) Nursing Research: Principles, Process and Issues, 3rd Ed, Palgrave Macmillan. 

Polit DF and Beck CT (2017) Resource manual for Nursing research, generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice 10th Ed Philadelphia : Wolters Kluwe 

 Wood, MJ and Ross-Kerr J, (2011) Basic Steps in Planning Nursing Research: From Question to Proposal, Seventh Edition Jones Bartlett Learning