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HCMS01-Research Methods - Health and Social Care

Module Provider: School of Health and Social Care
Number of credits: 20 [10ECTS credits]
Level: M
Terms in which taught: Summer
Module Convenor: VJ Thurtle
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9

Email: v.j.thurtle@reading.ac.uk

Aims:

  • to explore the relationship between research and practice
  • to analyse the role research can play in the change process
  • to create an awareness of the ethical and moral implications of research
  • to promote an understanding of a range of research methodologies

    Assessable learning outcomes:
    Students will:

  • Demonstrate a critical approach to evidence based health and social care practice.
  • Review and evaluate research evidence relevant to their own areas of practice.
  • Have knowledge of different approaches to research methodology and be able to analyse them critically, identifying any ethical issues and the involvement of service users.

    Additional outcomes:

    Outline content:

  • Research perspectives, to include experimental, ethnographic, survey and action research.
  • Research design, to include inductive and deductive generation of theory, purpose and outcome in relation to professional practice.
  • Research skills, to include interviewing, observation and questionnaire construction.
  • Research methodology, to include collection and analysis of data.
  • Ethical and moral issues in research.

    Key texts:
    Gomm, R. & Davies, C. (eds) (2000) Using evidence in health and social care. London: Open University/Sage
    Robson, C. (1993) Real world research. A resource for social scientists and practitioner-researchers. Oxford: Blackwell

    Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
    The module will be organised over 10 three hour sessions, weekly throughout the term. The first half of each session consists of teaching input on a particular research topic, with lectures and discussion; in the second half, students will work together in small groups to apply the knowledge gained from the earlier session, and practise research techniques.

    Contact hours:

      Autumn Spring Summer
    Lectures 30
    Tutorials/seminars      
    Practicals      
    Other contact (eg study visits)      
    Total hours 30     
    Number of essays or assignments 1     
    Other (eg major seminar paper)      

    Assessment:
    Coursework
    A 4000 word assignment


    Relative percentage of coursework:
    100%


    Examinations
    None

    Requirements for a pass: 50%


    Reassessment arrangements
    Resubmission of assignment at an agreed date, following confirmation of failure at first attempt by the external examiner.

    Last updated: 22 August 2008

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