MSc Clinical Immunology

Year of entry: 2025

Course unit details:
Research Proposal (Clinical Immunology)

Course unit fact file
Unit code MEDN60302
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 provides students with an experience of planning an original research project, assessed as a short research proposal. Students will develop abilities to critically appraise and synthesise published research, formulate and work with a relevant research question and develop research-writing and presentation skills. The research proposal will be comprised of a focused literature review and formulation of a research proposal related to the intended topic for the dissertation research project to be undertaken in MEDN60402. Developing an evidence-based proposal is an essential skill for researchers and provides an opportunity for students to formulate a hypothesis and design a research project including the aims, experimental approach and intended impact of undertaking the research, using the knowledge gained so far in the course.

Aims

The unit aims to provide students with experience of designing a research proposal for an original research project. Students will develop the ability to critically appraise published research, formulate and work with a relevant research question and develop skills in experimental design.
 

Teaching and learning methods

A series of workshops focussed on various aspects of conducting a literature review and the preparation of a research proposal, incorporating patient involvement in research.

Regular individual or small group meetings with a nominated project supervisor, guided reading and focused skills support.

Progress will be monitored and regular feedback provided. 

Knowledge and understanding

Students should be able to:

•    Develop understanding of the literature in a specific area of clinical and/or medical sciences
•    Understand how to identify an appropriate research question
•    Identify and employ the appropriate research methods and analyses necessary to answer their research question
•    Understand the requirements of scientific writing
•    Understand the requirements of data presentation
•    Understand the ethical issues and processes involved in research
 

Intellectual skills

Students should be able to:

•    Critically appraise and synthesise a body of literature relevant to their research question
•    Generate timely and theoretically grounded research questions 
•    Consider relevant statistical tools
•    Be able to make a reasoned argument for a particular point of view
•    Be able to draw reasoned conclusions

Practical skills

Students should be able to:

•    Plan and conduct a detailed, focused and current literature search
•    Implement and manage data collection
•    Research and consider appropriate analytical techniques
•    Consider management and manipulation of datasets

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Students should be able to:

•    Demonstrate independent thought
•    Develop self-management project skills (e.g. time management, prioritisation of tasks)
•    Command an appropriate battery of oral and written communication skills to engage in constructive dialogue with peers and supervisor, and to present work based on the Research Project 1

Assessment methods

Research project proposal (100%)

Feedback methods

Marks will be provided online within 3/4 weeks of assessment deadline

Study hours

Independent study hours
Independent study 150

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Joanne Pennock Unit coordinator

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