Study Design for Health Research

A minimum of a second class Honours degree (2:1 preferred) or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.

Learning outcomes of this module are:

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of different research methodologies and their philosophical foundations

2. Compare a range of qualitative and quantitative study designs relevant to health and social care research.

3. Critically evaluate different study designs for answering specific research questions.

4. Apply knowledge to identify challenges inherent in conducting research studies in practice and potential strategies to address these challenges.

The module will be delivered using a range of on-line approaches including: pre-recorded lectures, webinars, reading, quizzes, discussion boards, group work, student presentations.

You will explore:

• Different research approaches and their philosophical underpinnings
• The range of study designs used to address different research questions in health
• The challenges of conducting health research in practice

Assessment will be in the form of a presentation delivered online and an online examination. Both elements will need to be passed.

The majority of our students are already working in health or social care prior to commencement and remain employed throughout the duration of their studies.

Our students develop a wide range of transferable skills during their study that make them attractive to other employers, eg:

team working;

• IT skills;
• literature searching;
• critical appraisal;
• presentation skills;
• writing and data analysis.

Career opportunities

The MRes Health Research is designed for students who wish to pursue a variety of different careers in health where research is a core component. Students wish to make a contribution to applied research in a range of contemporary health and social contexts.

Most of our students are employed as health professionals whilst they study part-time with us. When they complete their studies most students will stay in their clinical speciality but use their enhanced research skills/knowledge in their roles e.g. by conducting their own research or service evaluations.

Some students wish to use their Masters study as preparation for a PhD. Our students have been very successful in gaining recognition for their research work and for winning funding for PhD study.