KNOWLEDGE OUTCOMES
The module will guide students in assimilating knowledge associated with the research process. On successful completion of the module, students should show understanding of:
• Key concepts in research design and their application in health science research;
• Ethical issues in conducting research and the implications to the research process;
• The concepts of accuracy, reliability, validity and feasibility in research;
• Key features of selected research methodologies;
• Selected objective approaches to analysing published papers and professional guidelines;
• Basic statistical concepts for design and analysis of research;
• The power of personal reflection in building personal problem solving capacity;
• Formal presentation styles for scientific research.

SKILL OUTCOMES
The module will facilitate development of basic, generic skills associated with the evaluation, assimilation, and conduct of research. On successful completion of this module, students should have the knowledge to be able to:
• Use electronic resources within UCD and on the www to find and present information;
• Develop and structure a theoretical argument supported by a critical review of literature and available evidence;
• Reference the review according to a standard citation system;
• Develop a coherent set of research question/hypotheses/aims/objectives for a small scale research project;
• Present a robust and realistic research design for the project considering issues of feasibility, data validation and reliability;
• Apply for ethical approval or waiver for the project;
• Transmit research ideas and concepts logically and coherently in written and oral presentation.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES
The module aims to encourage students development as effective members of the health care/health science team. On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Identify appropriate information sources and peer reviewed journals of relevance to the chosen research topic;
• Achieve specified tasks within given time limits;
• Reflect on personal expertise in research and research analysis and identify approaches to improve and develop such expertise;
• Make informed choices and take responsibility for working independently and in a collegial team;
• Enter professional discussion concerning specified research;
• Identify their level of personal interest in research as a potential career pathway;
• Evaluate the module content in the context of the importance of research to professional practice;
• Adopt a career-long, critical and positive approach to published research as the basis for evidence based good practice.

In this module students will cover research design; principles of qualitative and quantitative research; ethics in research; research analysis; research integrity; referencing; specific research areas and methodologies relevant to their course.

Not applicable to this module.

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

Generally and where possible, feedback on one assignment will be available before the next assignment is submitted.