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

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

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 2025/26

This module aims to develop your understanding of the philosophical and methodological bases of health and social research. It will enable you to make an informed and appropriate choice of research design and equip you with the methodological foundation for undertaking research projects in your future studies and/or your professional life. You will also learn the skills to undertake literature review and critical appraisal in order to search, find and review the quality and relevance of research evidence to determine their trustworthiness and applicability to current practice.
This module focuses on three main research methodologies: experimental, survey and qualitative study designs. It also covers topics that include: philosophical and epistemological issues; relationship of theory to methodology; theory building versus theory testing models of research; 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; mixed-methods research; ethical issues and conflicts in health care research.

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

Study hours

Lecture/workshop = 26
Private study/online activities = 124
Total = 150

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment