Major Clinical Research Project
| Module title | Major Clinical Research Project |
|---|---|
| Module code | PSYD054 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 240 |
| Module staff | Dr Janet Smithson (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 12 | 6 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 16 |
|---|
Module description
During this module you will undertake the major research project you described in your major research proposal (subject to changes and alterations agreed with your research supervisors). You will have two research supervisors, usually one person who is familiar with the research methodology which you have chosen and one who is familiar with your area of clinical experience and/or training.
Your research must make an original and novel contribution to a field of clinical practice.This module allows you to put your research skills into practice, building on your taught modules and small project, you will have the opportunity to undertake a doctoral level research project over a minimum period of 2 years.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of this module is for learners to create and interpret new knowledge through original clinical research of a o quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of their discipline and merit publication.
Through independent learning and research under supervision, the student will complete a study using a qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods design, analyse the data and write up a thesis.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Produce a major piece of substantive novel clinical research at a peer reviewed publication quality standard.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 2. Evidence great depth and systematic understanding of a substantial body of knowledge in clinical research practice,
- 3. Synthesise new approaches to contribute to the development of methodology and understanding in clinical research practice;
- 4. Communicate complex information clearly and effectively.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Analyse and manage the implications of ethical dilemmas and work proactively with others to formulate solutions
- 6. Manage complexity, incompleteness and contradiction through leadership and effective team working.
- 7. Function independently and self-critically as a learner, using a wide range of learning resources.
Syllabus plan
Individualised topics will be determined by programme members' particular research areas and clinical specialities. They will include current Department of Health and NHS priorities as well as National Service Frameworks for the various client groups.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 2300 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 50 hours | Research supervision |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 30 hours | Group presentations |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 20 hours | Workshops |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 1150 hours | Practice based research (ethics application, recruitment, data collection) |
| Guided Independent Study | 1150 hours | Individual study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group presentations in programme research days to staff and peers. | 4 x 10 minutes presentations + 10 minutes questions | 1-7 | Formative verbal feedback from staff and peers |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Thesis submission and viva voce examination | 100 | 50000 words | 1-7 | Written response from markers and external examiner |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Thesis submission and viva voce examination | See Doctoral Guidelines: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/pgr/pgrexaminations/ | 1-7 | 3-12 months |
Re-assessment notes
Students will be required to write a letter to the examiners to address the marker’s comments. Resubmit as required in the examiners’ report, usually requiring track changes or highlighting showing changes to the thesis, also including a letter to examiners detailing amendments.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
American Psychological Association. (2019) Publication manual (7th ed). Washington DC: American Psychological Association. https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/reference-guide.pdf
Bryman, A. (2015). Social research methods. Oxford university press.
Field, A. (2013). Discovering statistics using SPSS (4th ed.). London: Sage.
Harper, D., & Thompson, A. R. (Eds.). (2011). Qualitative research methods in mental health and psychotherapy: A guide for students and practitioners. John Wiley & Sons.
Kazdin, A.E. (ed.) (1998)Methodological issues and strategies in clinical research (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Robson, C. (2002) Real world research: A resource for social scientists and practitioner researchers. Oxford: Blackwell.
Peat, J. K., Mellis, C., Williams, K., & Xuan, W. (2020).â?¯Health science research: A handbook of quantitative methods. Routledge.
Richards, D. A., & Hallberg, I. R. (Eds.). (2015). Complex interventions in health: an overview of research methods.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Research methods presentations and tutorials. NHS Ethics, Psychology Research Ethics Committee ELE site, e-Learning resources.
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
ELE – you can find methodology references; lecture PowerPoints (usually with references on the final slide) and guides to research on the programme ELE pages.
| Credit value | 240 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 180 |
| Module pre-requisites | PSYD050, PSYD051, PSYD052and PSYD053 |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 8 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 13/03/2013 |
| Last revision date | 13/02/2023 |
