Applied Clinical Research Skills
| Module title | Applied Clinical Research Skills |
|---|---|
| Module code | PAMM104 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Martin Benwell (Convenor) Dr Rachel Palfrey (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 1 | 2 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
|---|
Module description
This module is designed to develop your knowledge-base and understanding of clinical research. The module is designed to develop your clinical research skills and expertise, underpinning your Masters level research project should you choose to progress to the final part time year.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to provide you with critical skills in qualitative and quantitative clinical research, so that you will be able to formulate, design, carry out, and communicate the results of clinical research that is relevant to the concerns of clients, service users and providers. It further aims to ensure that you develop the skills to evaluate critically the research/evidence base of clinical services and to contribute to evidence-based practice in your own professional work.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Independently evaluate clinical research scholarship, quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, arguing alternative approaches.
- 2. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of statistical analysis and its application to practical research questions.
- 3. Critically appraise research proposals from a clinical, scientific and feasibility perspective.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Evidence depth and systematic understanding of a body of knowledge in clinical research practice.
- 5. Synthesise new approaches to contribute to the development of methodology and understanding in clinical research practice
- 6. Communicate complex information clearly and effectively to specialists and non-specialists, acting as an effective clinical research consultant.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Analyse and manage the implications of ethical dilemmas and work proactively with others to formulate solutions.
- 8. Demonstrate competence in assessing and applying appropriate statistical tests.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:
Introduction to practical medical statistics
Service development and evaluation: Designing and undertaking research relevant to practice and policy.
Quantitative methods in service-related research: Experimental design and method e.g., RCT and other therapy outcome studies, single and group experimental designs.
Qualitative methods in service-related research: Introduction to philosophy, principles, strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research. Selecting and using qualitative data.
Ethics in service-related research
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 270 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 10 x 1 hour | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 10 | Workshops |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 10 | Group tutorials |
| Guided independent study | 20 | Preparation for workshops |
| Guided independent study | 20 | Preparation for group tutorials |
| Guided independent study | 70 | Guided reading |
| Guided independent study | 70 | Preparation for statistics examination |
| Guided independent study | 90 | Preparation of the clinical research proposal |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developing a clinical research proposal - presentation | 15 mins presentation + 10 min questions | 1-7 | Verbal |
| Practical statistics computer based test to develop students understanding of statistical analysis and how it relates to quality and appropriateness of statistical tests when applied to research papers | 1 hour | 2,4,8 | Written and verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | 0 | 30 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluation of research quality | 30 | 2 hour open book exam | 1-2,4,8 | Written |
| Clinical research proposal | 70 | 3,000 word research proposal | 1-7 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluation of research quality (30%) | 2 hour open book exam | 1-2,4,8 | Typically within six weeks of the result |
| Clinical Research Proposal (70%) | Clinical Research Proposal (3,000 words) | 1-7 | Typically within six weeks of the result |
Re-assessment notes
In the event of referral or deferral of the open book exam or the clinical research proposal, students should re-sit or resubmit the assessment in the referral/deferral period in August.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Practical Statistics for Medical Research, Altman D.G. (2005), Chapman & Hall, ISBNA 1-58-488039-2 (UL:W 150 ALT)
Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bury T. and Mead J. (1998), Butterworth-Heinemann, ISBNA 0-75-063783-8 (UL:362.1068 BUR)
The Good Research Guide: for Small-scale Social Research Projects, Descombe M. (2003), Buckingham OU Press (UL: )
Using qualitative research - a practical introduction for occupational and physical therapists, Hammell K.W., Carpenter C. and Dyck I. (2000), Churchill Livingstone, ISBNA 0-4430-6232-3 (UL: 615.7515 USI)
Research methods for clinical therapists, Hicks C. (2004), Churchill Livingstone, ISBNA 0-443-07430-5 (UL:615.8515 HIC)
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=6302
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 05/11/2015 |
| Last revision date | 10/07/2019 |
