PHPS40550 Applied Research Methods & Data Management

Academic Year 2019/2020

This module prepares students working, or intending to work, in a population health or clinical setting to undertake all elements of a research project from concept through design, implementation and analysis to interpretation and presentation of findings. The focus of this module is primarily on quantitative methods, though applications to qualitative research is also covered.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this module students should be able to:
- design an epidemiological study to be carried out in a clinical, occupational or scientific setting;
- develop a Research Protocol to a specified framework;
- prepare a submission to a Research Ethics Committee to specified standard;
- know the major epidemiological study designs;
- choose the design most appropriate to the research question;
- be familiar with relevant sources and types of data;
- understand sampling methods and recruitment strategies;
- understand power calculations / sample size estimation appropriate to the study design;
- design and evaluate study instruments, including questionnaires and Case Report Forms;
- oversee processes of data management, including data collection, data entry and editing;
- learn how to manage data in SPSS;
- select appropriate statistical techniques for study data;
- carry out basic statistical analysis using SPSS;
- interpret study data and present results.

Indicative Module Content:


- Development of a Research Protocol to a specified framework;
- Research Ethics Committee applications;
- the major epidemiological study designs;
- design most appropriate to the research question;
- sampling methods and recruitment strategies;
- power calculations / sample size estimation appropriate to the study design;
- design and evaluate study instruments, including questionnaires and Case Report Forms;
- processes of data management, including data collection, data entry and editing;
- managing data in SPSS;
- appropriate statistical techniques for study data;
- basic statistical analysis using SPSS;
- interpretation of study data and present results.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

18
Small Group

24
Computer Aided Lab

18
Autonomous Student Learning

140
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Face to face classes
Computer-based learning with SPSS
Group work on Research Questions
Group work for Assignments 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students who register for this module must be registered for a graduate taught or research degree.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Presentation: Oral presentation to faculty and peers of proposed Research Project, to include relevant background, aims and objectives, research methods, data management plan and plans for project execution Varies over the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

20
Project: Written presentation of thoroughly researched and complete Research Proposal, including all relevant appendices Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes

40
Assignment: Assignments given throughout the Semester Throughout the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes

40

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Assignments: Group and individual feedback Presentation: Individual feedback Project: Individual feedback

Name Role
Dr Ricardo Piper Segurado Tutor