Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

None

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

To give students the opportunity to apply the understanding and methods from the taught course to the investigation of a relevant problem, in the form of a substantial piece of research written up into a dissertation. In doing this, students will further develop skills in problem analysis, literature review, data handling, data analysis, interpretation and in project management. To explain the principles of research project management and to outline both practical and regulatory issues related to the conduct of research within the NHS.

HSC8096 and HSC8097 together form one module which spans 2 academic years of the programme. This module is the precursor for module HSC8097 Dissertation Part 2 (PT) and acts as a period of orientation, preparation and practice for the dissertation submission.

Outline Of Syllabus

The purpose of this module is for students to see a research project in health sciences and social care settings through from conception to completion in the form of writing the project up into a dissertation in accordance with academic conventions and standards. In the end, students will have gained first hand knowledge of how research projects are designed, implemented, adjusted and managed including negotiating ethics and research governance. The content of the module will depend on the specifics of the project that the individual student chooses.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of HSC8096 and HSC8097, the student will be able to:
Demonstrate an awareness of a variety of research methods.
Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a specific area of study within health sciences.
Demonstrate a systematic understanding of stages in the project lifecycle and the elements of a project proposal.
Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of how research projects are designed, implemented, adjusted and managed including negotiating ethics and research governance.
Demonstrate a general understanding of how to apply a research method to answer a research question.
Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of how to present a substantial piece of work in an academically acceptable format.
Be conversant with the practical application of one or more research techniques.
Have an in-depth understanding of the importance of personal skills as well as academic skills when undertaking research.
Define stages in a project lifecycle.
Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the elements of a project proposal.
Develop a systematic understanding of the basis of and requirements for research governance and ethical approval.
Develop an in-depth understanding of issues related to data protection, security and confidentiality.

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of HSC8096 and HSC8097, the student will:
Apply methods of estimating human and project resources, work planning and scheduling, risk assessment.
Write a project proposal with appropriate resource requirements.
Draw up a schedule of work from development to report writing.
Actively assess and manage project risk
Have an in-depth understanding of how to complete a research project within time and budget constraints.
Present their project protocol to peers and staff.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Students will undertake a substantial empirical project during their MSc academic year. This project will provide individual students with hands on experience of at least one research method using one or more techniques thus deepening students’ experience of research. Together with the development of a range of professional and key skills, the students will be trained and empowered to engage in teaching and/or research in higher education or in a professional capacity in the health service or other fields of employment. Students are normally allocated 2 supervisors. Students will discuss their projects with their assigned supervisors and will gain additional insights about current research, research methods, problems and their solutions by temporary membership of their supervisor’s research group. While conducting their project students will be required to maintain a research diary as a record of their work. The summation of learning will be expressed in the form of a dissertation reflecting the practicalities of conducting the project as well as the conclusions that may be drawn from it.

Given the wide variety of project types, and professional situations that students find themselves in, there is no fixed timeline within the two modules - students determine their own planning and time management with advice.


All teaching activities are linked to the module HSC8097 Dissertation Part 2 (PT), they will be started in Part 1 and completed in Part 2.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The formative and summative assessment relating to this module is completed in the module HSC8097 Dissertation Part 2 (PT).

General Notes

N/A