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| Unit name |
Research Dissertation |
| Unit code |
MEDIM3999 |
| Credit points |
60 |
| Level of study |
M/7
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Forbes |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department |
Health Sciences Faculty Office |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Health Sciences |
Description including Unit Aims
Dissertation for MSc in Palliative Medicine
The aims of the research project for the award of the Masters degree in Palliative Medicine are:
- to allow students to develop and implement an original research project within their area of clinical practice;
- to analyse the results and to present them, as a dissertation;
- to highlight how these data contribute in advancing knowledge in this field;
- students should develop awareness of the special problems of research within the palliative care setting.
Intended Learning Outcomes
During the production of a dissertation the student will:
- learn how to develop a research question appropriate to the clinical area in which they work;
- improve their ability to critically review and evaluate the literature relevant to a specific research question;
- develop a research protocol and complete a project within the allotted time;
- analyse the results, taking appropriate statistical advice;
- present the research findings in a logical manner highlighting data which constitute advances in knowledge;
- discuss the significance of the study and its implications for practice and future research.
Teaching Information
The taught component as a pre-requisite for this module is delivered in the Research Methods module which is assessed by the production of a research protocol. The student is then supported in carrying out this research and producing a dissertation through a series of ‘update’ sessions run in conjunction with other taught modules, and through group email discussions and support.
Assessment Information
The production of a 30,000 word dissertation, assessed by the internal and external examiners.
Reading and References
The following references are for the pre-requisite “Research Methods” module:
- Addington-Hall JM, Bruera E, Higginson IJ, Payne S. Research Methods in Palliative Care. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2007.
- St Leger AS, Schnieden H, Walsworth-Bell JP. Evaluating health services effectiveness. Milton Keynes: Open University, 1992
- Higginson I (ed). Clinical audit in palliative care. Oxford: Radcliffe Medical Press, 1993
- Breakwell GM, Hammond S and Fife-Shaw C (eds) Research Methods in Psychology. London: Sage, 1995
- Kirkwood B. Essentials of Medical Statistics. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1988
Other reading and references will be specific to the subject area chosen for the research dissertation by the student.
