HLT-40001 - Module Specification
School of Allied Health Professions
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Candidates should normally have a first degree, or equivalent, in a relevant field, in which research methods have been studied.

Barred Combinations

PTY-40001 Research methods; CLM-40006 Research methods; MTE-40035 Healthcare technology assessment; PHA-40099 Researching and evaluating your practice

Description for 2024/25

Key Features
- Core (compulsory) module for the MSc in Neuromusculoskeletal Healthcare, MSc Pain Science and Management, MSc Neurological Rehabilitation, MSc Physiotherapy; MSc Health Sciences, MMedSci, and MRes Health Research
- No practical element
Module aims
- To develop the students&© understanding of the philosophical and methodological bases of health and social research.
- To enable the student to make an informed and appropriate choice of research design and methods.
- To equip the student with critical appraisal skills
- To provide the student with the methodological foundation for a research dissertation.
Module content
Philosophical and epistemological issues; Relationship of theory to methodology - exploratory, descriptive and explanatory approaches; Theory building versus theory testing models of research; Research designs - experimental, quasi-experimental, survey and qualitative models; Principles of literature searching and critical appraisal; Issues relating to the robust collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data; Sampling and notions of generalizability; Quantitative data analysis and the logic of statistical inference and hypothesis testing; Qualitative data analysis and thematic content analysis; Introduction to data analysis software; Mixed-methods research; Ethical issues and conflicts in health care research.

Entry requirements
Candidates should normally have undertaken a module in research methods at undergraduate level. Candidates should normally have a first or second-class honours degree in a relevant subject and/or recognised professional qualifications.
Excluded combinations:
Research methods (PTY-40001); Research methods (CLM-40006); Healthcare technology assessment (MTE-40035); Researching and evaluating your practice (PHA-40099).

To develop the student's understanding of the philosophical and methodological bases of health and social research.
To enable the student to make an informed and appropriate choice of research designs and methods.
To equip the student with critical appraisal skills.
To provide the student with appropriate training for a research dissertation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Analyse the philosophical and methodological bases of different research approaches will be achieved by assessments: 1
Display a critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different methodological approaches to research will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Demonstrate a practical understanding of the importance of developing research questions and applying research findings in a specific practice/theoretical context will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Make a judicious and informed choice of research designs and methods in respect of a particular research question/hypotheses will be achieved by assessments: 2
Identify and develop reasoned strategies to counteract threats to the robust collection and analysis of data will be achieved by assessments: 2
Explore the ethical aspects of health and social research will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2

Study hours

Lecture/workshop = 24
Private study/online activities = 126
Total = 150

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment