| Unit name | Research Methods (Online) |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MEEDM0043 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Steve Jennings |
| 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 | Teaching and Learning for Health Professionals |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
Are you interested in medical research and/or improving the educational experiences of your students and colleagues? Would you like to know how to plan and conduct a project of your own focused on your own expertise or areas of interest? If so, this unit is for you!
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit contributes to the TLHP programme’s overarching objectives to:
The unit also draws on key elements of the programme’s philosophy of learning as a social enterprise in which there is an active exchange of ideas, between students and also between students and tutors
An overview of content
This is a mandatory unit for the Distance Learning MSc in Teaching andLearning for Health Professionals. The Unit is important in developing the appropriate knowledge of and skills in research so that students will be able to carry out their dissertation confidently and competently, whatever their background in relation to research may be.
The Unit covers an exploration of the basic assumptions underlying the social science research process, critical appraisal of the literature, research design, data collection, data analysis, sampling, ethics and research quality, with the researcher's position central to the process. These concepts will be applied to primary and secondary research. Participants who have already done research themselves may well have some of the relevant skills, but this unit is important in highlighting the processes of applying them to an
educational focus rather than a clinical or scientific one.
How will students, personally, be different as result of the unit
Our students often start the unit predominantly with quantitative expertise. This unit both allows exploration in quantitative methods in a field new to students, medical education, as well as broadening understanding of research traditions that might be new, namely qualitative research. Previous students have discussed how this unit has changed their outlook and opened a new avenue to research, and given them confidence to effectively undertake their own medical education research projects. For many, this will culminate in a dissertation in a field relevant to their professional experience.
Learning outcomes
Through taught sessions and independent study activities, on completion of this unit, students will have:
Online learning includes interactive learning through Padlet, Mentimeter and MS Teams discussion boards. Short group synchronous online tutorials and follow up tutorials for those who want to take part.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
Feedback on course activities. Peer and tutor feedback on presentation of draft outline research proposal.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
Summative: An assignment cromprising of 3,000-3,500 words
Students will be required to write a research proposal designed to explore the research focus that they are thinking of for their DL master's dissertation project. The proposal must contain a suitable literature review, justification of methodology chosen, a consideration of research ethics and reflection on their own journey as researcher.
When assessment does not go to plan
In the event of your assignment not reaching a pass at first submission, you may re-submit it depending on previous unit results. You will be offered a one to one tutorial to support you and ensure you understand what you need to do in order to meet the criteria with your resubmission.
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. MEEDM0043).
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.
