Project Design

Module title	Project Design
Module code	HPDM083
Academic year	2019/0
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Sarah Bell (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	9

Number students taking module (anticipated)	20

Module description

This module provides postgraduate students with the knowledge and practical skills required for independent project design and development with a particular focus on their 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 four focused days of 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

Systematic evaluation and needs assessment

Investigative methodologies

Project and resource management

Knowledge exchange

How to write a business plan/project proposal/grant application

Presentation skills

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
20	130	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities	20	Delivered over 4 full days, each with 4 x 1.25 hours interactive student seminar sessions, including both lecture and workshop-oriented activities
Guided independent study	30	Session preparation and follow up work utilising resources provided on ELE
Guided independent study	100	Reading and assignment preparation

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Class discussions and small group work activities	Each small group lecture/seminar/ workshop session	1-4	Facilitator and peer feedback in class

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 outline plus oral presentation	50	2 pages plus 5-6 minutes presentation + Q&A	1-4	Written
Project proposal	50	8 pages	1-4	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
Written project outline (50%) plus oral presentation	Written project outline (2 pages)	1-4	Typically within six weeks of the result
Project proposal (50%)	Project proposal (8 pages)	1-4	Typically within six weeks of the result

Re-assessment notes

This module in its entirety is condonable in accordance with TQA 8.6. Re-assessment of the whole module is undertaken by the student carrying out both assignment 1 and 2. However, for the purpose of re-assignment, assignment 1 will not include the in-class presentation and only the written 2 page assignment is required.

In accordance with TQA 11.2.3; where a student fails part of the assessment on a module, but passes the module as a whole, the module will be deemed to have been passed and referral will not be applicable.

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

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Please see ELE above for up to date electronic resources.

Key words search

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

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	15/12/15
Last revision date	09/07/2019