E-library and ITS
Electronic literature searching
Personal computer and printer
Electronic access to critical appraisal checklists
Electronic copies of research publications

Bowling A (2009), Research Methods in Health Care: Investigating Health and Health Services (3rd Ed) Buckingham. Open University Press
Crombie I (2007), The Pocket Guide to Critical Appraisal (2nd Ed) Oxford, Wiley Blackwell
Green J, Thorogood N (2009), Qualitative Methods for Health Research (2nd Ed) London, Sage
Greeenhalgh T (2010), How to read a paper: The Basics of Evidence-based medicine (4th Ed) Oxford. Blackwell-Wiley

Written critique of a qualitative and a quantitative research paper 3500 words (addressing all LO's) 100% weighting

Formative Assessment:
Group discussions around critical appraisal skills and research methodologies online.

This module has been designed to enable the students to undertake in-depth critical appraisal of the research methods currently used in healthcare research. In order to critically appraise and to assess its suitability for application in practice, the student will need to develop an understanding of methods commonly used in health care research. To this end, research methods such as interviews, focus groups, Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) and other epidemiological methods will be presented and the pros and cons explored. The student will then be taken through the process of critically appraising these qualitative and quantitative research methods using appropriate published checklists. Through critiquing the research of others, the student will demonstrate the formation of his/her own research skills. This module will also address: literature searching in order to identify appropriate literature; methods of analysing and interpreting data; and will explore evidence-based practice issues surrounding the application of research into practice.

The general mode of delivery is via:

Contact Hours: (15) which will include:
Online active engagement with learning material including powerpoint

Learning activities will include:
1. Information and literature gathering using various methods, including the internet.
2. Critique of a qualitative and a quantitative research papers.

Independent Study Hours: (135)
48 hours - directed reading and interactive activities
30 hours - literature searching
57 hours - preparation for the teaching sessions at seminars and workshops