Project Design

Module title	Project Design
Module code	HPDM083Z
Academic year	2023/4
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Lewis Elliott (Convenor) Dr Sarah Bell (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	9

Number students taking module (anticipated)	30

Module description

This is a fully online module.

This module provides you with the knowledge and practical skills required for independent project design and development with a view to preparing you for your personal Masters Dissertation. Individual problem identification and innovative solution generation is encouraged, whilst identifying key stakeholders in the knowledge exchange process and developing the persuasive skill set of professional grant writing.

No pre-requisites or specialist knowledge are required to undertake this module, which is well suited to interdisciplinary learning. Delivery is via expert-led small group learning, interspersed by personal study undertaken at your own pace and supported by our internet resources.

Module aims - intentions of the module

You will develop the knowledge and skills required to design and develop an independent research project. This will include pertinent elements of project design methodology and project management as well as the iterative knowledge exchange process.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

1. Demonstrate the professional ability to derive a robust, meaningful and focused research question, of relevance to your own discipline/practice
2. Demonstrate a practical and applied understanding of the design, methodology and project management appropriate to the proposed project and justify chosen approach

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

3. Develop a coherent persuasion and business case for a project proposal through the systematic, critical evaluation and synthesis of relevant evidence from a range of sources

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

4. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the process of knowledge exchange within your own discipline/practice and identify the potential value of the project to end users

Syllabus plan

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

follows:

Question generation and problem identification

An introduction to quantitative, qualitative and mixed method study design

Research ethics

Project and resource management

Knowledge exchange and pathways to impact

How to write a project proposal/grant application

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
15	135	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities	15	All student online sessions: - Lectures, Q&A sessions, small-group discussions in tutorials and seminars in synchronous sessions on Teams/Zoom - Workshops in synchronous sessions on Teams/Zoom
Guided Independent Study	35	Session preparation and follow up work utilising resources provided on ELE including asynchronous structured materials (such as short pre-recorded lectures, podcasts, asynchronous workshop activities, discussion forum posts and so on)
Guided Independent Study	100	Reading and assignment preparation

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Two-page written project outline	Two pages using structured template	1- 4	Written via email

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Written project proposal	100	Eight pages using structured template	1-4	Written
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0

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
Written project proposal (100%)	Written project proposal (eight pages using structured template)	1-4	Typically within six weeks of the result

Re-assessment notes

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

Usherwood. (1996). Introduction to Project Management in Health Research: A Guide for New Researcher. Buckingham, Open University Press.

Sharp JA, Peters J and Howard K. (2002). The management of a student research project. Aldershot, Gower Publishing Company.

Reardon R, Lavis J and Gibson J. (2006). From Research to Practice: A Knowledge Transfer Planning Guide. Institute for Work & Health (www.iwh.on.ca).

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

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

Cronin P, Ryan F and Coughlan M. (2008). Undertaking a literature review a step-by-step approach. British Journal of Nursing. 17(1); 38-43.

Cresswell, JW. and Cresswell, JD. (2018) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. Fifth Edition. London: SAGE Publications.

Green, J. and Thorogood, N. (2018) Qualitative Methods for Health Research. London: SAGE Publications.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Please see ELE above for up to date electronic resources.

ELE – PE: HPDM083 2020/21 Module Pages

Key words search

Human health, environment, research, project, method, knowledge exchange, knowledge transfer, stakeholder, grant, proposal, dissertation, project management, study design, research question.

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	Yes
Origin date	15/12/2015
Last revision date	04/08/2023