Study Design in Practice

This module aims to:

• Develop an advanced awareness of the need for different methodological approaches to be taken to address specific research questions
• Develop a knowledge and critical understanding of the challenges inherent in conducting research studies in practice and potential strategies to address these challenges
• Outline the principles of the health research process including the legal/regulatory and ethical responsibilities of researchers, project management and document control
• Provide an opportunity for students working in teams remotely to design and plan a health research project including identifying costs, issues of research governance, dissemination and knowledge exchange
• Provide opportunities for students to fully appreciate the collaborative, interdisciplinary and networking dimensions and skills essential to contemporary health care research
• Promote a critical understanding of the involvement of various stakeholders, including patients/service users, carers and families, in healthcare research, and ways that this involvement can best be supported.

A presentation delivered online and a written assignment.

Josie Evans

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.