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University of Exeter Medical School

Project Studies 1

Module titleProject Studies 1
Module codePAM2007
Academic year2023/4
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Beth McGill (Convenor)

Dr Amy Hancock ()

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

12

Module description

To enable you to develop a sound understanding of research terminology, methods, and principles. This module builds on the foundation of the level 1 module PAM1016 Research and evidence-based practice. It is designed to enable you to understand different research designs, to evaluate the research literature and to prepare you to undertake research at undergraduate level.

Module aims - intentions of the module

By undertaking this module you will gain an understanding and appreciation of a variety of research techniques in order to improve your ability to critically evaluate current research.  These skills will contribute to the appropriate and effective planning of your PAM3004 research project.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

  • 1. Formulate a research question;
  • 2. Select a research design that is appropriate to the research question;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

  • 3. Demonstrate a clear understanding of key research concepts and ethical considerations relating to medical imaging research;
  • 4. Undertake a critical review of the literature, using a systematic approach on a selected topic and present it succinctly;

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

  • 5. Organise a programme of work;
  • 6. Work collaboratively with other group members;
  • 7. Write reports containing original material or analysis.

Syllabus plan

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

  •  Using appropriate resources for a literature search;
  • Undertaking a literature review;
  • Selecting appropriate methodology;
  • Formulating a research question;
  • Ethical issues;
  • Project management;
  • Audit and Quality Assurance;
  • Data analysis;
    Quantitative and qualitative data analysis and hypothesis testing;

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
8142

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching activities44x1-hour seminars
Scheduled learning and teaching activities33x1-hour practical data analysis sessions
Scheduled learning and teaching activities1Tutorial support
Guided independent study18Directed online learning activities
Guided independent study124Reading, private study and revision

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
70300

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Project proposal part 1: literature review351000 words3,4,7Written
Project proposal part 2: project protocol (group submission)351000 words1,2,5,6,Written
Written examination3060 minutes3iExeter and ELE

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

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Project proposal part 1: literature review (35%)Project proposal part 1: literature review (1000 words)3,4,7August/September assessment period
Project proposal part 2: project protocol (35%)Project proposal part 2: project protocol (1000 words)1,2,5,6,August/September assessment period
Written examination (30%)Written examination (60 minutes)3August/September assessment period

Re-assessment notes

Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

  • Polgar S. and Thomas S.A. (2013), Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences, (6th edition), Churchill Livingstone, ISBN: 978-0-443-07429-5

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

 http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

  • Aveyard H. (2018), Doing a literature review in health and social care (4th edition), Open University Press, ISBN 978-0335248001
  • Braun V & Clarke V (2013), Successful Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide for Beginners, Sage, ISBN 9781847875815
  • Day R.A (2012), How to write and publish a scientific paper (7th edition), Cambridge University Press, ISBN 9781107670747
  • Denscombe M. (2014), The Good Research Guide: for Small-scale Social Research Projects (5th edition), Open University Press, ISBN 978-0335264704
  • Field A. (2017), Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS Statistics (5th edition), Sage, ISBN 978-1526419521
  • Gunn C. (2001), Using Maths in Health Sciences, Churchill Livingstone, ISBN 9780443070747
  • Hicks C. (2009), Research methods for clinical therapists: Applied project design and analysis (5th edition), Churchill Livingstone, ISBN 9780702029981
  • Pallant J. (2016), SPSS Survival Manual (6th edition), Open University, ISBN 978-0335261543
  • Salkind N.J. (2016), Statistics for People Who (Think They) Hate Statistics: Using Microsoft Excel (4th edition), Sage, ISBN 9781483374109

Key words search

Medical Imaging; Research; Literature; Levels; Data; Project; Data analysis; Analysis; Issue; Reviews; Audit.

Credit value15
Module pre-requisites

PAM1016

Module co-requisites

N/A

NQF level (module)

5

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

01/09/2004

Last revision date

19/12/2023