| Unit name | Project Proposal in Health Sciences |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MEDIM0016 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Holmes |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
This unit comprises of the designing, planning, writing and presentation of a research project proposal based on your individual chosen research project. It ensures you have a good understanding of the scientific background of, and the rationale for, your chosen area of research. It enables you to have a clear understanding of the aims of your project and the methods by which they will be achieved, as well as the plan for the timely conduct of your research. This unit consolidates the learning from other units and builds
experience in: acquisition and analysis of subject-specific information; critical evaluation of scientific papers; formulation of hypothesis-driven research questions; appreciation of relevant experimental techniques; research methodology and statistical analysis; research ethics; transferable skills including IT, scientific communication and organisation.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit is scheduled in the first teaching block of your programme and runs concurrently with Foundations in Health Sciences Research. You will begin this unit once you have chosen your research project and attended the introductory academic and research skills training sessions. It provides an important basis for the conduct of your research project which follows.
An overview of content
You will be given guidance on the expected structure and generic content of your research project proposal and oral presentation. You will learn through experience, implementing the academic and research skills taught in Foundations of Health Sciences Research in the context of your own research project, i.e. find, interpret, review, write and present scientific research relating to your area of research; plan your research design and analysis strategy; explain experimental methodology relevant to your project. Your proposal will include: a review of the literature relevant to the research project (3000 words maximum); hypothesis and aims; impact; plan of the proposed research, including the experimental design, methods and proposed analysis; ethical considerations; contingency plans; timetable and milestones; estimated resource costs; references
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will gain a thorough understanding of the context of your research area to enable you to identify unanswered questions from which testable hypotheses can be proposed. You will begin your journey to being an expert in your chosen subject with the academic, research and transferable skills to embark on your research project with knowledge and confidence.
Learning Outcomes
Critically read, evaluate and synthesis information from scientific research papers.
Formulate concise hypothesis-driven research questions.
Design and plan a research study
Effectively communicate a project proposal in writing and orally.
Project proposal workshop; interactive tutorials; directed reading; self-directed reading; guidance from project supervisor.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will submit a draft of your research proposal to your project supervisor for written feedback.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Research project proposal (5000 words maximum, excluding references), contributing 90% to the unit mark.
Oral presentation of research project proposal (10 mins), contributing 10% to the unit mark.
When assessment does not go to plan
If the overall pass mark for the unit (50%) is not achieved, students will be expected to resit the failed unit assessment. The resit assessment may not be in the same form as the original assessment but will test the same learning outcomes. The resit unit mark will be capped at 50%.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MEDIM0016).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
