Independent Research (HRM and EM)

Module title	Independent Research (HRM and EM)
Module code	HPDM134
Academic year	2020/1
Credits	60
Module staff	Dr Malcolm Hilton (Convenor) Dr Rebecca Abbott (Convenor) Professor Vicki Goodwin (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	11	11	8

Number students taking module (anticipated)	30

Module description

This module is the piece of independent research associated with the Masters programme in Health Research Methods and in Extreme Medicine and is designed to enable you to produce a project report under supervision, and to demonstrate project design, development, evaluation, synthesis and dissemination skills.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of the independent research module is to enable you to demonstrate your ability to design, conduct, evaluate and write up a project on a topic that is of relevance to the title and aim of their award and in doing so, to demonstrate self-direction, originality and an ability to act autonomously in the planning and implementation of project skills at an advanced professional level.

Supervisors will be drawn from academic staff and external co-supervisors (where appropriate) depending on the research interest of the student.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Systematically and critically review relevant theory and methodology in the design and development of an independent project
2. Provide evidence of skills in the formulation of research questions, identification of aims and objectives and clarification and justification of choice of methodological approach

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

3. Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise a projects findings and interpret their relevance within the context of established or emerging theories, policies and/or professional practice
4. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems in the conduct of a research project that is methodologically and ethically sound

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

5. Present a logically argued and clearly written project report that will aim to enhance knowledge and understanding of an area of practice at an advanced level
6. Critically evaluate and reflect upon their own strengths, limitations and performance with reference to the design, development, organisation and write up of the research project
7. Prepare academic outputs using visual, oral and written methods

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:

Students will work under the supervision of one or more supervisors to undertake an independent research process including the following components:

Select a topic area that is relevant and important to the field of study
Develop a research question that is appropriate to the scale of a Masters independent research project
Justify the need for the research with support from the background literature
Develop an appropriate methodological approach with which to answer the research question
Consider the ethical principles relating to the chosen project and apply for ethical approval to proceed
Collect and analyse the data associated with the research project in a rigorous way, justifying your approach
Write up the research project in a manner appropriate to the intended audience, ensuring that the findings/discussions answer the research question”.
Prepare academic outputs using visual, oral and written methods

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
40	560	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	40	Supervision meetings (scheduled by arrangement between individual students and supervisors). Contact with research supervisors may take place face-to-face or via email, telephone or video-conferencing
Guided Independent Study	100	Resource gathering and in-depth reading
Guided Independent Study	260	Project design and delivery
Guided Independent Study	200	Preparation and writing of written report and presentation

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Feedback and discussion with supervisor	40 hours	2-4,6	Oral and online

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
80	0	20

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Research report written following journal guidelines	80	Maximum 5,000 words (dependent on target journal guidance)	1-5	Written
Oral presentation (HRM) or Poster presentation (EM)	20	(HRM)10 minutes + 5 minutes questions (oral)presentation to group in face-to-face setting may be replaced by presentation to the group using Teams/Zoom; (EM) Conference style poster	1-5	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
Project report following journal guidelines (80%)	Maximum 5,000 words (dependent on target journal guidance)	1-5	Typically within 12 weeks of the result
Oral presentation (HRM) or Poster presentation (EM) (20%)	Oral presentation (10 minutes + 5 minutes questions; Conference style poster	1-5	Typically within 12 weeks of the result

Re-assessment notes

If it is impractical for the reassessed presentation to be given in person then a video-conferenced/Skype presentation or a video submission may be accepted at the assessor’s discretion. Distance learning students (MSc Extreme Medicine) would need to improve their poster to a passing standard.

Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Dixon N (2001) Writing for publication a guide for new authors. International Journal for Quality in Healthcare. 13;5:417-21

Day RA and Gastel B (2006) How to write and publish a scientific paper. Cambridge University Press

Lock D. (2007).The Essentials of Project Management (3rd edition). Aldershot, Gower Publishing

Rudestam, K. and Newton, R. (2007). Surviving your Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process (3rd edition). London, Sage Publications.

Swetnam, D. (2005). How to Plan, Prepare and Present Successful Work (3rd edition). Trowbridge, Cromwell Press Ltd.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Systematic Reviews

PRISMA reporting guidelines – see http://www.prisma-statement.org /

Equator

Reporting guidelines - see http://www.equator-network.org /

Writing skills –The Purdue Online Writing Lab

https://owl.english.purdue.edu /

Please see ELE for further up to date electronic resources.

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=6035

Key words search

Research project, dissertation

Credit value	60
Module ECTS	30
Module pre-requisites	To pass 2 out of the 3 core modules in term 1
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	Yes
Origin date	31/01/2017
Last revision date	30/07/2020