Key Approaches in Health Research

Module title	Key Approaches in Health Research
Module code	CSC2022
Academic year	2022/3
Credits	15
Module staff	Professor David Llewellyn (Convenor) Dr Emma Cockcroft (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		11

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

Rigorous measurement and evaluation are at the heart of good research. They are also the key to ensuring that research leads to evidence-based clinical practice. This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of measurement and evaluation, including the design and testing of new measures, evidence synthesis, and cost-effectiveness. This module will focus specifically on research that is conducted with human participants.
For students in the Medical Sciences Programme, this module can be taken with CSC2007 Introduction to Health Research to complete the Health Research Pathway requirements for Year 2, or taken on its own as part of an interdisciplinary pathway.

The module is also open to students in Psychology and Sport & Health Sciences, provided they have taken the prerequisite Introduction to Health Research module.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to advance students’ understanding of measurement and evaluation in health research, and develop essential skills in the evaluation of research that involves patients and the public.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific principles underpinning the measurement of human health outcomes
2. Explain the differences between, and relative strengths and weaknesses of, quantitative and qualitative health measures
3. Explain the importance of, and demonstrate an understanding of, psychometric testing
4. Conduct statistical analyses
5. Conduct qualitative analyses
6. Discuss the value of evidence synthesis and explain the process by which it informs clinical practice
7. Conduct a basic systematic review
8. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of health economics and process evaluation

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

9. Understand the importance of rigorous measurement and evaluation in the development and implementation of best practice across a range of healthcare settings
10. Discuss the relative contribution of different types of evidence and measurement to the advancement of health research and clinical practice

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

11. Manage time and workload effectively
12. Write clearly and efficiently for a scientific audience

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:

Lecture Topics:

(1) Introduction

(2) Developing scales and evaluating their psychometric properties

(3) Statistical analysis 1

(4) Statistical analysis 2

(5) Qualitative analysis 1

(6) Qualitative analysis 2

(7) Clinical trials

(8) Health economics

(9) Process evaluations

(10) Systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Workshops will cover:

Measurement development; psychometric testing; advanced statistical analysis; qualitative analysis; evidence synthesis; critical appraisal of clinical trials, health economics, and process evaluations.

This module has been designed for in-person, blended or online learning. Delivery of the sessions will therefore take place in classrooms or online via videos and MS Teams as conditions allow.

Learning and teaching

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
30	120	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	10 (1 hour content for each topic)	Lectures (delivered face-face or as pre-recorded online content)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	20 (10 x 2 hours)	Small-group workshops (delivered face-face or as a live session on online platform depending on circumstances)
Guided independent study	60	Preparation for scheduled activities
Guided independent study	60	Assessment preparation

Assessment

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Completion of practical activities in workshops	Throughout the module	1-12	Verbal feedback in workshops

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
50	50	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Short answer question (SAQ) exam	50	1 hour	1-5, 9-11	Summary written feedback to whole group
Brief essay/review	50	1500 words	6-7, 11-12	Individual written feedback

Re-assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
1 hour short answer question (SAQ) exam (50%)	1 hour short answer question (SAQ) exam (50%)	1-5, 9-11	Ref/Def
1,500 word essay/review (50%)	1,500 word essay/review (50%)	6-7, 11-12	Ref/Def

Re-assessment notes

Please see the Student Handbook for guidance

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

http://samples.jbpub.com/9781449652777/11637_ch02_031_054.pdf

https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/price-life/

Students will also be expected to read and critically appraise peer-reviewed academic journal articles.

ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Web based and electronic resources will be available

Module has an active ELE page

Key words search

Health Research; research Design; measurement; evaluation; statistics; quantitative research; qualitative research; evidence synthesis; systematic review; meta-analysis; health economics; critical appraisal; psychology; medicine; health sciences

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	CSC2007 Introduction to Health Research
NQF level (module)	5
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	22/08/2014
Last revision date	12/08/2020