This module will provide a theoretical, methodological and practical foundation for the typical tasks a researcher would have to undertake.
This includes: sources and the nature of evidence; research theories and approaches; design options; methodologies; project planning; fieldwork preparation; and data analysis. You will cover a range of research methodologies and link this with problem appraisal and appropriate design choices.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate coherent and comprehensive knowledge and critical understanding of sources, types and hierarchies of evidence.
- Evaluate the ethical implications of research and the need to incorporate relevant research governance protocols in research plans.
- Formulate a research proposal and working hypothesis as part of designing a small scale study.
- Critically evaluate alternative methodological approaches to research problems and justify design choices referring to appropriate methods and socio-cultural contexts.
- Develop and consolidate data handling and statistical analysis techniques for project and secondary data sets and qualitative data analysis.
Indicative core bibliography
Davies MB (2007) Doing a successful research project : using qualitative or quantitative methods Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Dickson-Swift V (2008) Undertaking Sensitive Research in the Health and Social Sciences: Managing Boundaries, Emotions and Risks. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press
Field A (2005) Discovering Statistics using SPSS 2nd Edition London: Sage
Finlay L, Ballinger C (Eds) (2006) Qualitative Research for Allied Health Professionals: Challenging Choices Wiley and Sons
Green, J, Thorogood, N (2004) Qualitative methods for health research. London: Sage
Long T and Johnson M (2007) Research Ethics in the Real World: Issues and Solutions for Health and Social Care. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier
Polit D &andk C (2008) Nursing research : generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice 8th Edition. Philadelphia, Pa. ; London : Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
Salkind, NJ (2004) Statistics for people who (think they) hate statistics. 2nd Edition. Thousand Oaks: Sage
Teddie C, Tashakkori A (2009) Foundations of Mixed Methods Research: Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches in the Social and Behavioural Sciences Thousand Oaks: Sage
