MSc Clinical Pharmacy

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Research Methods

Course unit fact file
Unit code PHAR60512
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This unit will provide students with a skillset to be able to effectively design a research study.

The unit will instruct students in the principles of research design and understand how to plan and manage a research study. In addition, students will understand how to identify different methodological approaches to research design and when to use a particular approach.

Students will be able to identify key elements of research ethics and understand the principles of clinical audit and its contribution to quality improvement and clinical governance and understand the key differences between research and clinical audit.

The unit students will develop student’s skills in critical analysis and evaluation methods commonly used in pharmacy practice research and critical reasoning to reflect on the application of research methods in research design.

On completion of the unit students will be able to employ ethical reasoning to resolve dilemmas posed by different research designs.

This unit will also allow students to develop their understanding of the central contribution of PPR research to NHS quality improvement and clinical governance.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

Apply their knowledge of different methodological approaches and paradigms used in pharmacy practice research (PPR).   

Apply knowledge of research methods, ethical considerations and literature searching in constructing a research proposal

Demonstrate their knowledge and communication skills by delivering a presentation on their research proposal

The unit will combine e-lectures, reading and practical tasks to develop these skills which will be assessed by an oral presentation of the research idea and submission of a research protocol.

 

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Evidence Based Practice PHAR63002 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

The unit aims to:

Enable students to develop an advanced knowledge and in-depth understanding of research design and practical skills in, research methods and data analysis commonly used in pharmacy practice research.

Guide students through the process of devising a research study and presenting it as a research protocol.

 

Teaching and learning methods

Online Option

This course unit is delivered online using Blackboard 10. All learning material is presented in week by week folders to help students manage their time. Each week will contain four main elements; background reflective tasks, learning in the form of an e-lecture, embedded video or webinar, further reading and finally a task to consolidate learning (e.g. completion of coursework, formative quiz or participation in a journal club discussion).

The unit will instruct students in the principles of research design and understand how to plan and manage a research study. In addition, students will understand how to identify different methodological approaches to research design and when to use a particular approach.

Students will be able to identify key elements of research ethics and understand the principles of clinical audit and its contribution to quality improvement and clinical governance and understand the key differences between research and clinical audit.

The unit students will develop student’s skills in critical analysis and evaluation methods commonly used in pharmacy practice research and critical reasoning to reflect on the application of research methods in research design.

On completion of the unit students will be able to employ ethical reasoning to resolve dilemmas posed by different research designs.

This unit will also allow students to develop their understanding of the central contribution of PPR research to NHS quality improvement and clinical governance.

During the unit students will:

Utilise appropriate library databases (Medline, EMBASE, etc.) and obtain appropriate articles from the use of a systematic approach necessary for writing the research protocol

Critically review retrieved articles and summarise in a brief literature review for the research protocol.

Students will design a research study (submitted as an assessed protocol) which will include:

  • Preparation of a research protocol
  • Critical thinking
  • Synthesis of research findings to identify most appropriate research design to address a research question
  • Understand and interpret pharmacy practice research findings

 

Blended Option

This unit will be delivered using a blended learning approach of online materials, as described above, with the addition of a study day taking place at the University in which students will all present their research idea and receive feedback on it.

Knowledge and understanding

  • Demonstrate conceptual and critical understanding of practice research methods in use, and under development in health care and pharmaceutical care
  • Demonstrate a systematic understanding of statistical and ethical issues in clinical and health services research 

Intellectual skills

  • Critically analyse and evaluate the relevant scientific literature in therapeutics, practice research, medicines management, health economics, health-related social sciences and health policy
  • Use critical reasoning to synthesise, analyse and evaluate primary and secondary sources of data from clinical and health services areas 

Practical skills

  • Design a research study to address a specific clinical or health services problem.
  • Analyse qualitative and quantitative data to determine their strength and validity.
  • Present primary and secondary clinical and health services data in written (case reports, essays and reports) and oral forms.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Demonstrate effective team working by carrying out tasks within a small group in a structured situation, and by preparing and giving an oral presentation of data, information or the solution to a team task
  • Acquire an open-minded and creative attitude tempered with scientific discipline and social awareness
  • Evaluate their own academic and personal progression
  • Learn effectively for the purpose of continuing professional development and in a wider context throughout their career including identifying competency against a professional competency framework 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written assignment (inc essay) 80%
Oral assessment/presentation 20%

Feedback methods

Provisional marks and feedback for coursework returned within 15 working days.

Exam marks and final marks returned after ratification at exam board. 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
eAssessment 11
Lectures 8
Seminars 2
Tutorials 2
Independent study hours
Independent study 127

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Sarah Willis Unit coordinator

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