MCR8003 : Writing in a Research Setting

  • Offered for Year: 2012
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Anthony De Soyza
  • Owning School: FMS Graduate School
Semesters
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
Semester 3 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0

Aims

Writing is a key skill for anyone in medical research. This module, ‘Writing in a Research Setting’ (MCR8003), aims to familiarise students with the many different processes involved in medical writing. The module is designed to allow the students to experience medical writing and to enable them to develop a range of key skills that will prepare them for writing research proposals, grant applications, case reports and manuscripts for both medical textbooks and journals.

Outline Of Syllabus

i.       Writing standard operating protocols and study protocols
ii.       Critical appraisal of scientific papers
iii.       Peer review
iv.       Writing papers
v.       Writing grants
vi.       Responding to referees comments
vii.       Practicalities of data management for publication
viii.       Authorship and ownership – responsibilities
ix.       Plagiarism how to avoid it and how to detect it

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Academic Staff Contact Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion601:0060:000:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture220:3011:0011:0022 lectures of varying length totalling to 11h
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading401:0040:000:00N/A
Guided Independent StudySkills practice112:3012:300:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching31:003:003:003 small group sessions of varying length totalling to 3h
Guided Independent StudyProject work119:0019:000:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyReflective learning activity120:0020:000:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study134:3034:300:00N/A
Total200:0014:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This will be a mainly self-directed module. In lectures, students will learn fundamental principles of writing in a research setting. Seminars are designed to give one-to-one and group advice on review, critical appraisal and writing skills and the students will be able to practice review, critical appraisal and writing skills in self-directed fashion. The students’ work will be assessed and the student’s will receive formative feedback in the 3 tutorial sessions.

Assessment Methods

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Oral Presentation51M30Presentation based on Coursework (5 slides, 3 minutes, 2 minutes questions)
Exam Resits
Description Length When Set Percentage Resit Available Off Campus Comment
Oral Presentation5M30Presentation based on Coursework (5 minutes, 3 minutes, 2 minutes questions)
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise2M20Abstract (Standard Length Document)
Written exercise2M20Writing a SOP (Standard Length Document)
Written exercise2M30Research Proposal Application (1000 words)
Other Assessment Resits
Description When Set Percentage Comment
Written exerciseM20Abstract (Standard Length Document)
Written exerciseM20Writing a SOP (Standard Length Document)
Written exerciseM30Research Proposal Application (1000 words)
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students will complete four assignments. The first being a SOP (standard operating procedure); second an abstract for a published paper; third an original research proposal for a grant application; fourth a presentation on their own research idea, which will be peer-reviewed.

Reading Lists

Timetable

Disclaimer: The University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver modules in accordance with the descriptions set out in this catalogue. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, however, the University reserves the right to introduce changes to the information given including the addition, withdrawal or restructuring of modules if it considers such action to be necessary.

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