PHPS41140 MPH Dissertation

Academic Year 2023/2024

Each MPH candidate prepares a dissertation, based on the style of a journal article, on a subject allocated by the School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sport Science, incorporating a detailed review of relevant literature on the topic, identification of a specific research question, analysis of data or a systematic review on the topic, presentation of results and interpretation in the context of existing literature. The thesis should be of publishable standard and must conform to School requirements. During the year, each candidate gives a conference style oral presentation on the subject of the thesis, including the relevant literature/background, aim, objectives, methods, results and discussion. Students will have attended SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) training sessions as part of Applied Research Methods & Data Management module, UCD Research Integrity training as well as Dissertation and Scientific Writing classes as part of PHPS41140.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should:
- understand how to carry out a review of the scientific literature, conduct and write up a comprehensive literature review on the topic of their dissertation;
- understand the ethical aspects of conducting scientific / public health research;
- apply for approval of the study under consideration and request data from the relevant secondary source for their research topic (data analysis projects) or conduct a systematic review ;
- be competent to make oral presentations (in the style of a conference presentation) of their research project to relevant audiences;
- know how to manage research data, to analyse data using statistical software, and to interpret results;
- present a complete written dissertation on their research topic (in the style of a journal article), to include appropriate presentation of results, discussion of results in the context of existing literature and possible policy implications of their findings.

Indicative Module Content:

- Orientation to UCD library facilities:
- Training in online reference management systems;
- Critical appraisal of the scientific literature on the research topic chosen;
- Research integrity training;
- How to develop and formulate a research question;
- SMART research aims and objectives;
- study designs appropriate to the research question;
- preparation of dissertation database;
- preparation of an elevator pitch;
- analysis of data, presentation of results;
- interpretation of results in the context of existing literature;
- understanding and presenting strengths and limitations of the study;
- writing and presentation of dissertation research (dissertation in style of a journal article, how to prepare an abstract, poster and oral presentation);
- understanding the publication process.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

400
Total

400
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active/task-based learning;
Lectures;
Practical sessions;
Self-directed learning;
Critical writing; 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Project: Literature Review Throughout the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

20
Attendance: Engagement and Professionalism Throughout the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

10
Presentation: Oral Presentation on Dissertation Topic Throughout the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

20
Project: Research Project Dissertation Throughout the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

50

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, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback individually to students, post-assessment Individual feedback provided on each component of the module

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Year Long (12 months - Sep)
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 25, 26 Mon 11:00 - 13:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: Odd Weeks Tues 16:00 - 16:50
Year Long (12 months - Sep)