This module will provide you with the necessary skills to design a research project to answer a research question, potentially reflecting your area of interest or relevant to your workplace. Projects will be designed in consultation with a university-based supervisor and can be conducted either at your place of work or at Staffordshire University.


You will develop your own research idea and design a protocol for addressing the question. You will be trained in the understanding of, and preparation of the approvals necessary to carry out your research, including risk assessments and ethical approval and you will communicate your proposal in both a written and a verbal format.

The project proposal will include an outline of the research question, a brief literature review, Gantt chart, ethical declaration and risk assessments (LO1, 2).¿¿

The project presentation can be a recorded presentation or delivered ‘live’ via Teams. the presentation will be aimed at a multi-disciplinary audience and will require individuals to present an overview of their project proposal and plan (LO3). Assessment will be based on the content and delivery of the presentation. Question and answer sessions (when delivered live) will be aimed at providing formative feedback for project delivery.¿¿

The learning strategy utilises both guided and self-directed study. You will have guided supporting sessions to help with literature searching, research question design, proposal preparation and methods of communication, and risk assessments and ethical processes. You will use your independent study time searching and appraising the literature and preparing your project proposal.

1. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding and critical evaluation of knowledge in the analysis of current molecular biology literature to propose new hypotheses.¿¿¿

Analysis, Application, Enquiry, Knowledge & Understanding, Learning.

2 Demonstrate comprehensive understanding and critical evaluation of required documentation required for project planning, including risk assessments and ethics.¿¿¿

Analysis, Application, Enquiry, Knowledge & Understanding, Learning, Problem Solving, Reflection


3. Effectively communicate to specialist and non-specialist audiences a research idea based on prior knowledge and investigation of published literature with potential to contribute to the field of molecular biology.¿

Communication, Reflection

Access to computing facilities and library for literature searching. Access to publication databases. Access to referencing tools.

Appropriate, largely primary, literature will be dependent on the Project topic.

Laake, P., Benestad, H., Olsen, B., (2105) Research in Medical and Biological Sciences, 1st edition. Elsevier. ISBN 9780128001547¿

This module will provide you with the necessary skills to design a research project to answer a research question, potentially reflecting your area of interest or relevant to your workplace. Projects will be designed in consultation with a university-based supervisor and can be conducted either at your place of work or at the University.


You will develop your own research idea and design a protocol for addressing the question. You will be trained in the understanding of, and preparation of the approvals necessary to carry out your research, including risk assessments and ethical approval and you will communicate your proposal in both a written and a verbal format.