The aim of this module is to enable students develop research skills relevant to the health field. The module is further designed to facilitate students’ understanding of research and the research process through the development of a research proposal and ultimately to guide them towards conducting research at the Bachelors’ level under supervision. As such, it aims to foster an understanding of evidence based practice and research utilization.

This module will cover an overview of the research process and research methodology; research designs (qualitative and quantitative approaches); sampling methods and sample size, data collection procedures (methods and instruments); ethical issues involved in research, critiquing a research article and scientific writing.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

·         Demonstrate an understanding of operational research concepts

·         Obtain a working knowledge of basic statistical concepts necessary for the analysis of quantitative data

·         Obtain a working knowledge of qualitative data analysis

·         Develop scientific writing skills

Skills and Competences

·         Choose a research  topic and write its background and problem statement

·         Design and develop own research proposal attending to the various elements of the research process

·         Choose the appropriate research design for own proposed research

Attitudes

·         Identify and attend to the ethics involved in own proposed research