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Fundamentals of Research Design

Module description

In this compulsory introductory module, you will critically examine and apply the core concepts and models at the heart of health services research, and the main methods and elements of study design that underpin this multidisciplinary and highly applied area of social science. It seeks balanced coverage of: quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods; a wide range of disciplinary perspectives; appreciation of the full range of health service and health policy goals (e.g. effectiveness, safety, cost-effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability, accessibility, equity); and is based around the key study design choices which all applied social science studies face.  It will also cover fundamental considerations in all high quality applied health research, such as: the role of theory; patient and public involvement; data processing and management, and research ethics.

Module aims - intentions of the module

By undertaking this module you will gain critical insights into the diversity of methods and core concepts needed to conduct high quality applied health research. The detailed content and aims (see sections below) are geared to the goal of designing research that not only produces valid and reliable knowledge on important health and health service problems, but research findings which are useful to those working in health or social care and health systems – whether they be health, public health or social care professionals, service or hospital managers, service commissioners or healthy policy makers.  You will also be able to practice masters level study skills and writing techniques throughout the module. 

The module content and assessments are designed to be of value for people from a wide variety of: academic (e.g. social science, science maths) or professional (e.g. clinician) backgrounds; and from both early career (e.g. recent undergraduates, first year PhD, intercalating medical students) and mid-career stages as professionals.  This ensures that the module has appeal and utility for researchers and scientists wanting to learn more about the specific problems, goals and core concepts and methods related to doing research for improving health and social care; and for health professionals and other care or management professionals who want to acquire and apply social research knowledge and skills to the teams, programmes and organisations within which they work.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. To introduce and critically examine the key frameworks and threshold concepts that underpin and justify evaluation and research of health care, health services and health systems.
• 2. To understand the strengths and limitations of three of the main strategies of enquiry in applied health research – quantitative research, qualitative research, mixed methods research
• 3. To be able to critically examine the ethical risks, implications and regulations related to collecting, processing, analysing and securely storing data from people in health and care contexts, and know how these risks can be minimised or managed.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 4. To understand the multidisciplinary field of health services research; and an understanding of how the distinct concepts, theories and methodologies of different applied social sciences enable original and useful knowledge for improving health and social care.
• 5. To know the common steps, choices and processes involved in designing a research study.
• 6. To have a clear understanding of the main study designs for the quantitative evaluation the outcomes of health interventions, and an appreciation of the key study design choices and elements/concepts of study design they are based on.
• 7. To have a clear understanding of the main study designs for the quantitative evaluation the outcomes of health interventions, and an appreciation of the key study design choices and elements/concepts of study design they are based on.
• 8. To understand the importance of and methods for engaging with stakeholders, potential research users and patients and the public when conducting applied health research.

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 9. To understand the importance of and methods for engaging with stakeholders, potential research users and patients and the public when conducting applied health research.
• 10. Undertake study skills and writing at masters level

Syllabus plan

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

The main (applied social science) sub-disciplines of health services research

Health services and health systems (drivers and contexts, policies and guidelines)

Evidence-based policy and practice

Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods modes of inquiry

Key steps, choices and considerations in designing applied health research

Stakeholder engagement and patient and public involvement in research

Research ethics: assessing and managing risks with people and their data

The following approaches might be applied if necessary due to Covid19: -

• Face-to-face scheduled lectures may be replaced by short pre-recorded videos for each topic (15-20 minutes) and/or brief overview lectures delivered via MS Teams, with learning consolidated by self-directed learning resources and ELE activities. –
• Small-group discussion in tutorials and seminars may be replaced by synchronous group discussion on MS-Teams; or asynchronous online discussion, for example via Yammer or ELE Discussion board –

Workshops involving face-to-face classroom teaching may be replaced by synchronous sessions on MS-Teams; or Asynchronous workshop activities supported with discussion forum

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

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

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

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

Williams M. (2016) Key Concepts in The Philosophy of Social Research. Sage Publications, London.

Creswell J W (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed methods approaches. Sage (4th Edition)

Other useful readings:

Catherine Pope & Nicholas Mays (Eds) (2020). Qualitative Research in Health Care. Wiley Blackwell.

Richards, D.A., Rahm Hallberg, I. (eds). (2015). Complex Interventions in Health: an Overview of Research Methods. London, Routledge.

Craig P. et al. Developing and evaluating complex interventions: The new Medical Research Council guidance:BMJ 2008;337:a1655

 NHS National Institute of Health Research.  INVOLVE. http://www.invo.org.uk/ (accessed 5th February 2014)

ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages

Key words search

health services, research, public health, concepts, research design