Skip to main content

Module

SPE8301 : Critical Appraisal of Research Methodologies

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Helen Stringer
  • Owning School: Education, Communication & Language Sci
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

To use students' critical appraisal skills to evaluate quantitative and empirical research methodologies. To develop students' critical understanding of research methodologies in experimental and clinical contexts.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Critical appraisal of controlled trial research papers
2. Critical appraisal of single case study and cohort research papers
3. Critical appraisal of mixed methods research papers

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion140:0040:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture41:004:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching42:3010:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery21:002:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyStudent-led group activity24:008:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1136:00136:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The student will formulate a focused clinical question related to their own area of clinical interest (problem solving), search for quality evidence addressing the question (information and computer literacy, planning and organisation), critically appraise the evidence (problem solving, information literacy), draw conclusions from the evidence and make a general recommendation for a study that could be conducted in response to their conclusion (written communication, planning and organisation).
Students will have the opportunity to apply a variety of critical appraisal tools to the scientific and professional literature in their own specialist clinical area representing a range of study methodologies.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise1M1003000 words - focused clinical question related to own area of clinical interest, critically appraise the evidence & draw conclusions
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The student will formulate a focused clinical question related to their own area of clinical interest (problem solving), search for quality evidence addressing the question (information and computer literacy, planning and organisation), critically appraise the evidence (problem solving, information literacy), draw conclusions from the evidence and make a general recommendation for a study that could be conducted in response to their conclusion (written communication, planning and organistion).

Reading Lists

Timetable