MCR8011 : Writing in a Research Setting (E-learning)
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Professor Lindsay Pennington
- Lecturer: Professor Mark Pearce
- Owning School: Pharmacy
- Teaching Location: Off Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 3 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
Writing is a key skill for anyone in clinical research. This module aims to familiarise students with the many different processes involved in clinical academic writing. The module is designed to allow the students to experience clinical academic 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
Writing standard operating procedures and study protocols
Practical information skills
Writing standard operating procedures and study protocols
Developing a research idea
Writing papers and grant applications
Writing lay summaries
Preparing graphical abstracts
Peer review including responding to referees comments
Authorship and ownership – responsibilities
Plagiarism how to avoid it and how to detect it
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 4 | 15:00 | 60:00 | Assessments |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 10 | 5:00 | 50:00 | Online content |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 2 | 4:00 | 8:00 | Software |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 8 | 4:00 | 32:00 | eJournal/Blog |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 6 | 2:00 | 12:00 | Wiki |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Supplemental reading |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Synchronous online webinar |
| Guided Independent Study | Online Discussion | 8 | 2:00 | 16:00 | |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
This module will be delivered online via Blackboard VLE through a series of guided learning opportunities including e-based lectures or tutorials. Students will learn fundamental principles of writing in a research setting. Through Blackboard, students and academics will be able to take part in and where appropriate advise on; review, critical appraisal and writing skills in both one-to-one and group discussions. The students will be able to practice review, critical appraisal and writing skills in a self-directed fashion. The students’ work will be assessed electronically and the students will receive formative feedback.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 25 | Abstract (Standard Length Document). |
| Written exercise | 3 | M | 45 | Research Grant Application (standard length as required by template). |
| Oral Presentation | 3 | M | 30 | Submission of recorded presentation - 10 minutes |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | Write a SOP (standard length document) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
In order to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be able to complete clinical academic writing, students will complete three summative assessments. The first is an abstract for a paper to be submitted to a peer reviewed clinical academic journal; second an original research proposal for a grant application; third a recorded presentation (5-10 minutes) with PowerPoint (10 slides)on their own research idea. In addition students will be formatively assessed on writing a standard operating procedure.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MCR8011's Timetable