PAM2005 Project Studies 1

2007-2008

Code: PAM2005
Title: Project Studies 1
Instructors: Dr H. Dehghani
CATS credits: 20
ECTS credits: 10
Availability: B821 only
Level: 2
Pre-requisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Background Assumed: Evidence Based Professional Practice (PAM1013)
Duration: Weeks 0, 6
Directed Study Time: 20 hours
Private Study Time: 148 hours
Assessment Tasks Time: 32 hours
Observation report: 2006/07 FAM

Aims

To enable the students to develop a sound understanding of research terminology, methods, and principles. This module builds on the foundation of the level 1 module PAM1003 (Evidence-based Practice and Lifelong learning). It is designed to enable students to understand different research designs, to evaluate the research literature and to prepare them to undertake research at undergraduate level.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should be able to:

Module Specific Skills

• not applicable for this interprofessional module;

Discipline Specific Skills

• demonstrate a clear understanding of key research concepts;
• undertake a critical review of the literature, using a systematic approach on a selected topic and present it succinctly;
• formulate a research question;
• select a research design that is appropriate to the research question;
• prepare an outline proposal and protocol for a research project, taking into account ethical issues, using a prescribed format and guidelines (and where appropriate use a format appropriate for submission to an ethics committee);

Personal and Key Skills

• organise a programme of work;
• interact with other group members;
• write reports containing original material or analysis.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Lectures (14×1 hour) and seminars (6×1 hour). Students will be directed to appropriate journal articles and online materials.

Assignments

1500-word research protocol. This should demonstrate a critical appraisal of the literature for the selected topic and the selection and description of an appropriate methodology best suited to the research question.

Assessment

1500-word research protocol (50%), one 2-hour examination (50% week 10).

Syllabus Plan and Content

1. Using appropriate resources for a literature search;
2. Undertaking a literature review
3. Selecting appropriate methodology
4. Formulating a research question
5. Ethical issues
6. Project management
7. Audit and Quality Assurance.
8. Data analysis
   Quantitative and qualitative data analysis and hypothesis testing
9. Interprofessional work

Core Text

Polgar S. and Thomas S.A. (2000), Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences, Churchill Livingstone, ISBN 0-443-05039-2 (UL: WB 25 POL)

Supplementary Text(s)

Altman D.G. (2005), Practical Statistics for Medical Research, Chapman & Hall, ISBN 1-58-488039-2 (UL: W 150 ALT)
Bury T. and Mead J. (1998), Evidence-Based Healthcare, Butterworth-Heinemann, ISBN 0-75-063783-8 (UL: WB 20 EVI)
Descombe M. (2003), The Good Research Guide: for Small-scale Social Research Projects, Buckingham OU Press (UL: XXX)
Field A. (2000), Discovering statistics using SPSS for windows, Sage (UL: 519.50245 FIE)
Hammell K.W., Carpenter C. and Dyck I. (2000), Using qualitative research - a practical introduction for occupational and physical therapists, Churchill Livingstone, ISBN 0-4430-6232-3 (UL: 615.7515 USI)
Hicks C. (2004), Research methods for clinical therapists, Churchill Livingstone, ISBN 0-443-07430-5 (UL: 615.8515 HIC)

Formative Mechanisms

This module is supported by small-group tutorials. Students are able to monitor their own progress by discussion with tutors.

Evaluation Mechanisms

The module will be evaluated using information gathered via the student representation mechanisms, the staff peer appraisal scheme, and measures of student attainment based on summative assessment.