Key Approaches in Health Research
| Module title | Key Approaches in Health Research |
|---|---|
| Module code | CSC2022 |
| Academic year | 2021/2 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor David Llewellyn (Convenor) Dr Emma Cockcroft (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
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 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 |
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 |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
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
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
| 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 |
