| Unit name | Research Methods |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BRMSM0027 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Professor. Andy Judge |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
NONE |
| Co-requisites |
NONE |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
The aim of this unit is to train candidates in academic skills that are translatable in to clinical practice and will inform the conduct of the clinical and research project units of the course. In order to optimise cross unit relevance the research methods unit corresponds with the chronology of the research project. The taught skills will equip the candidates with the ability to design and deliver high quality literature reviews and surgical trials later in their careers.
An essential feature of delivering the research methods unit is the requirement for it to take place alongside clinical duties, without necessitating substantial periods of time away from clinical practice. This will answer the criticism of other programmes that require additional study leave and travel costs to be factored into a candidate’s participation burden.
The candidates will use some or all of the skills learnt during the research methods unit during the completion of the clinical and research project units. It will be assumed that candidates have an undergraduate standard of understanding, though the programme will direct candidates to appropriate revision resources that would be appropriate to refresh candidate’s knowledge.
Structure of teaching
A proportion of the research methods unit is taught through didactic teaching. This is necessary to impart fundamental concepts and ensure that all candidates have a thorough understanding of important concepts. These didactic sessions will be delivered in 2 ways
Sessions will be delivered in lecture and small group formats. Lecture sessions will define concepts and techniques and signpost resources. Small group sessions later within the same session will then provide for a more practical approach to learning. An example of an early session could be:
Session title: Literature searching
Lecture: Databases to search, defining and using MeSH terms, Boolean operands, constructing a search, grey literature searches
Small Group: Conducting a literature search in catalogues and grey literature resources. Print and display the search strategy to whole group to stimulate debate on techniques and results.
The session will be simultaneously broadcast online and recorded for later viewing or viewing by international candidates. Remote viewers will not be able to participate in group work unless watching live and able to interact (dependent on technology made available). Example of group work output will be posted online as a resource for remote candidates.
The proposed topics for these sessions are:
Candidates will be expected to be able to apply the following skills to their academic surgical practice on completing the programme:
To be awarded the credits for the clinical elements, candidates must show that they have:
| Contact teaching will be delivered on an approximately monthly basis during university term times. There will be 12 sessions per year. Tutorials will be approximately 4 hours long and will be simultaneously broadcast online via existing IT systems, and recorded for candidates unable to participate live. Sessions will be delivered in lecture and small group formats by university academic staff as part of their existing contractual requirements. Lecture sessions will define concepts and techniques and signpost resources. Small group sessions within the same session will then provide for a more practical approach to learning. Where possible, pre-existing learning resources will be identified and used. Where none are available and are required, new resources will need to be generated by faculty. Teaching venues will be university facilities, including but not limited to Southmead Hospital Learning and Research building. These will be arranged by the programme administrative staff. |
The research methods unit will assess the application of skills in a real world setting (assessment principle 3.2). It will seek to provide students the skills to progress in the conduct of their clinical units and research project. Therefore, the research methods unit is assessed on a pass or fail basis using four formative assessments with feedback.
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Core texts in study design, statistical analysis and systematic review will be identified to candidates. For each topic, original references will be provided.
