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Department for Health, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


HL50176: Primary care research project

Click here for further information Credits: 24
Click here for further information Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Click here for further information Period: Modular (no specific semester)
Click here for further information Assessment: CW100
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take HL50077
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
To provide a structured and supervised opportunity for students to design, conduct and evaluate a small-scale independent research project in a discipline area relevant to primary care.
Students can select a topic that draws from their own practice and/or from a topic studied as part of their previous study on the programme.
The project is designed, and the protocol approved, as part of HL50077, Research Project Design, which is a pre-requisite for this unit.

Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this Unit, students will be able to:
Knowledge and understanding (Taught, facilitated and assessed)
* select and justify the focus, scope and methodology of a primary care research study
* review, employ, and engage critically with an appropriate literature through the design, conduct and evaluation of a research study
* collect, analyse and critically interpret data appropriately in order to present appropriate results and valid conclusions, with regard to the original research question(s) and taking account of its strengths and limitations
* present findings in a concise and cogent thesis or in the form of a paper worthy of publication in a peer-reviewed journal
* disseminate relevant information relating to principles of practice to a wider audience, using an appropriate presentation format
Intellectual/cognitive (Taught, facilitated and assessed)
* construct well-written and logical arguments, making links between theory, empirical research and clinical practice.
Professional (Taught, facilitated and assessed)
* be familiar with the processes involved in audit and service review, and associated with ethical approval and research governance processes
* present the results of research for dissemination to peers in primary care
* contribute to high quality evidence-based care in the NHS
* demonstrate an understanding, and appreciation, of the implications for their professional and research practice of the NHS�s standards of conduct, performance and ethics.
Transferable (Taught, facilitated and assessed)
* demonstrate presentation and communication skills
* relate in a professional way to colleagues and peers.

Skills:
On completion of this Unit, students will be able to demonstrate:
Knowledge and understanding (Taught, facilitated and assessed)
* critical appraisal of research techniques; data collection and analysis; engagement with, and evaluation of, relevant research.
Intellectual skills (Taught, facilitated and assessed)
* information synthesis, interpretation and appraisal; self direction and originality in problem solving; reflection on learning and practice; implementation of research in general practice.
Professional practical skills (Facilitated and assessed)
* appreciation of the practice of research and critical appraisal techniques relevant to own practice-based enquiry.
Key skills
* problem solving skills(Taught, facilitated and assessed)
* effective communication (Taught, facilitated and assessed)
* an ability to advise and influence clinical practice, general practice strategy or policy (Taught and facilitated)
* effective ICT Skills (Facilitated and assessed).

Content:
1. Research Project
This involves carrying out a significant research project and includes presentation of the finding in formats suitable for academic submission:
* Abstract showing clearly stated objectives, appropriate methods, results and conclusions
* Introduction containing aim and background
* Literature review
* Methodology
* Results - overall description of major and relevant findings
* Discussion - in the context of the aim, summarise major findings, discuss possible problems with the results, compare the results with previously published work, discuss the implications of the findings, suggest future work
* Conclusions - these will be related to the aim and justified by discussions
* References and bibliography.
2. Dissemination and practice
Thiis involves presentation of the findings in formats suitable for educational dissemination:
The dissemination of findings to a wider primary care community in a format appropriate for the target audience. Depending on the particular project, this could include preparation of an appropriate summary report, workshop, presentation, academic poster or educational material.
Detailed, specific guidance and advice is given in the student handbook pertaining to the structure, requirements and scope of an appropriate MSc level research project.
Trainees will usually be allocated at least two Doctoral level supervisors, one from the University, the other a clinical psychologist working in the region, with the former as the lead supervisor. Supervision will usually be on an individual basis, at a regular time set aside for this purpose.
Research supervision will be monitored on the basis of six-monthly monitoring reports which specify supervision time, SMART targets (updated on the basis of progress) and action plans for unmet targets.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

HL50176 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department for Health
NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.