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HL60083: Research project preparation and planning

[Page last updated: 03 August 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/23
Owning Department/School: Department for Health
Credits: 12 [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 240
Level: Doctoral (FHEQ level 8)
Period:
Modular (no specific semester)
Assessment Summary: OR 20%, PF 80%
Assessment Detail:
  • Presentation (OR 20% - Qualifying Mark: 40)
  • Portfolio: Research protocol (PF 32% - Qualifying Mark: 40)
  • Portfolio: Contents (PF 48%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit the student will be able to:
1. Identify a research area
2. Understand the concept of a research question, can define one relevant to their research area and can describe the philosophy and methodology which underpins this question that is capable of enabling an individual and novel contribution to the body of knowledge in this area
3. Conducts a systematic review of the literature
4. Prepare a research protocol which describes the key milestones in the completion of a novel research project.
5. Consider ethical and governance issues in practice based research and prepare, peer review and defend documentation that describes any ethical considerations within their project plan.
6. Complete at least one cycle of a personal development plan and identify goals in research and continuing professional development
7. Reflect on own development as a researcher within the timeframe of the PDP cycle
8. Present developing research ideas to peers
These learning outcomes will be taught, facilitated and assessed.

Aims:
* To develop a range of skills of a competent researcher;
* To identify a prospective research question for a research project;
* To identify and defend a potential research approach and methodology;
* To develop an outline protocol and project plan.

Skills: On completion of this unit students should be able to:
1. Search and critically appraise literature in a systematic manner. Apply results of their enquiry to the development of a prospective research question (Knowledge and understanding, intellectual and professional skill: facilitated and assessed).
2. Develop an outline proposal for a research topic suitable for eventual completion as their doctoral project (Knowledge and understanding, intellectual and professional skill: taught and assessed).
3. Understand the ethical and governance considerations in a research project. (Knowledge and understanding, intellectual and professional skill: facilitated and assessed).
4. Present developing research ideas (Knowledge and understanding, intellectual and professional skill: taught and assessed).

Content: 1. The content of this Unit will focus on any area of health or related research for which an adequate level of supervision can be offered.
2. Project design and management: learning skills to: review and critique literature, present these findings in a methodical manner, identify a prospective research question, design and defend an outline protocol, effectively time manage a research project, understand ethical and governance issues in relation to health practice research.
3. Presentation: oral presentation to peers on developing research ideas and as a portfolio including literature review, emerging research question, developing protocol, ethical considerations, reflective commentary, learning needs assessment and personal development plan.

Programme availability:

HL60083 is a Stage Required Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department for Health

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.