Newcastle University

Aims

This module, 'Designing a Research Proposal - E-Learning' (MCR8013), is part of the Clinical Research Programme and it is designed to allow students to put into practice the information that they have acquired. Students will be required to design and establish approval for their own research project in collaboration with their supervisory team (comprising their workplace mentor, project supervisor and others from the programme team as appropriate). The module is designed to provide first hand experience of planning, designing and preparing research by allowing students to put into practice specific knowledge gained in the programme to-date helping them to develop a better understanding of clinical research and allowing them to utilise the portfolio of skills accrued so far.

The module will be delivered on-line in an e-learning format via blackboard VLE. The curriculum will be delivered through a series of guided learning opportunities including e-based tutorials, lectures and discussion boards. Students will submit their work for assessment via Blackboard VLE. Students will be asked to prepare paperwork for formative and summative assessment and submit these through VLE. For summative assessment students will use the knowledge and individual feedback from previous assessments and formative assessment, notes and other sources. Student work will be submitted and feedback given electronically. The student will be led by their mentor through the process of formulating a research proposal and obtaining all the necessary approvals for execution of an ethical and scientifically robust clinical research project. The proposal will be submitted and reviewed by a panel that will provide feedback. The student will be required to present details of their research proposal through VLE.

Outline Of Syllabus

i. Developing a research idea;
ii. Preparing a research protocol;
iii. Understanding the approvals necessary to carry out your research idea;
iv. Disseminating your idea to colleagues.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Students will learn fundamental principles of research governance and good clinical practice as they apply to current clinical research. This module will be delivered by e-learning using Blackboard VLE through a series of guided learning opportunities including e-based lectures, tutorials and use of discussion boards. Work will be submitted via Blackboard VLE for assessment and feedback given via the same route.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The purpose of this module is that students will develop their own research protocol. They will therefore be assessed on an individual student by student basis according to the nature of their project and the specific approvals necessary for its execution. At the end of the module students should be in a position to perform the research proposal i.e. all appropriate paperwork for approvals will be in place.

Students will write a number of applications for approval of their own research proposal based on current ethical committee approval and R & D approval forms. These will be assessed and feedback will be given. The ability to correctly identify the prerequisites within the current forms will indicate a student's knowledge and understanding of the module as taught.

Written communication, planning and organisation and information literacy are all practiced and assessed in the written research proposal, IRAS form, patient information sheet and consent forms and R & D approval as well as the oral presentation and defence of the research proposal to a local audience. The research proposal will include a peer review element; this will promote student participation as a student's participation in the peer review exercise will count towards 10% of their final mark for the assessment. The oral presentation and defence of the research proposal via conference call allows the practice and assessment of interpersonal communication in both a verbal and computer based (power point) format in addition to the skills above. Students practice computer skills, adaptability and initiative throughout the module and in preparation for the assessments. The curriculum is delivered via Blackboard VLE. Work will be submitted to Blackboard VLE for assessment. They will produce relevant research documentation based on current legislation. They will be assessed and feedback given electronically.