Course unit details:
Dissertation for Health Data Science
| Unit code | IIDS67650 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 60 |
| Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) | Full year |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
The dissertation is an opportunity for students to explore and conduct research in a specific area of health data science in more detail Research projects should be designed to take into account the key skills of health data science and focus either around the management, analysis or interpretation of data in the health domain. Students must consider the impact the research has on healthcare delivery and wider field.
Aims
The overall aim of this unit is for the student to undertake a research project that shows originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in health data science. The aims of the dissertation are five-fold:
- To support the student in pursuing independent research on a specified topic
- To support the student in developing research skills, planning and conducting independent research, evaluating, analysing data and communicating findings and outcomes appropriately.
- To support the student in undertaking a concentrated review of literature in a chosen subject area
- To support the student in applying knowledge and expertise gained during the taught element of the course
- To enable the student to demonstrate a mastery of a specific area of the subject
Teaching and learning methods
Students will have support and guidance from their supervisors to achieve the project goals. Dissertation supervisors will have a minimum of six meetings with the student. This will be delivered face-to-face or via appropriate online tools such as Skype. Online space will be available for discussion between students. Supervisors will follow the FMHS Teaching and Support Guidance for dissertations.
Students will also be offered support from the dissertation team. Drop-in clinics are offered weekly throughout the dissertation period for students to discuss issues with coding, statistics, iCSF and writing. An academic writing clinic is also offered to all students where they have opportunity to receive feedback on an excerpt of a piece of writing.
The dissertation output would be expected to contain the following sections: Introduction, Background including literature review; Methods; Analysis and Results; and a Discussion including conclusion
Knowledge and understanding
Students should be able to:
LO1 Demonstrate a critical understanding of research methodologies and techniques
Students should be able to:
LO3 Evaluate critically the strengths and limitations of their own and others research
LO4 Draw (and justify) conclusions from the results
LO5 Understand the impact of the research and recommend future direction of the research
LO6 Show critical thinking capacity, including abstraction, analysis and critical judgement
Practical skills
Students should be able to:
LO7 Produce an extended piece of writing with a clear structure in an appropriate style and uses a conventional system of full and accurate referencing
LO8 Plan and undertake a research project that focuses on a specific area in health data science
LO9 Conduct a critical review of the literature and the current status of research in the chosen field
LO10 Document data, analyse using appropriate methods (e.g., statistical methods; data manipulation methods)
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Students should be able to:
LO11 Engage in academic and professional communication with others
LO12 Show initiative and self-direction in academic and professional development
LO13 Undertake independent study and manage time appropriately
LO14 Use appropriate software for presentation of a professional academic report
LO15 Behave in a professional manner and follow professional conduct guidelines.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | 85% |
| Oral assessment/presentation | 15% |
| Assessment task | Length | How and when feedback is provided | Weighting in unit |
Summative assessment Presentation of plan: A 5-min presentation in which students present an outline of their plan (face-to-face, end of June) | 5-min. approx. 5 slides | Immediate verbal feedback with written feedback sent to student within 1 week | 7.5% |
Summative assessment Presentation of plan: A 5-min presentation in which students present initial results (face-to-face, end of July) | 5-min. approx. 5 slides | Immediate verbal feedback with written feedback sent to student within 1 week | 7.5% |
Summative assessment Written report: An individual report detailing research work including an abstract and an impact statement. | |||
Formative assessment Students will be expected to provide regular progress reports throughout their dissertation. | 10,000 words, max | At end of dissertation marking period, up to 6 weeks after submission. Regular informal feedback provided by supervisor, and available at drop-in sessions. | 85% |
Feedback methods
Students will also be offered support from the dissertation team. Drop-in clinics are offered weekly throughout the dissertation period for students to discuss issues with coding, statistics, iCSF and writing. An academic writing clinic is also offered to all students where they have opportunity to receive feedback on an excerpt of a piece of writing.
Recommended reading
As advised by supervisor
Study hours
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 600 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| David Jenkins | Unit coordinator |