Module Descriptors
INTRODUCTION TO DOCTORAL RESEARCH: A CRITICAL SELF APPRAISAL
NURS80538
Key Facts
Faculty of Health Sciences
Level 8
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Kay Norman
Email: K.M.Norman@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 12
Independent Study Hours: 138
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- ASSIGNMENT weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Additional Assessment Details
A written assignment (5000 words) which is intended to produce a working document that forms the basis for shaping your path through the Professional Doctorate. Included in this will be a personal development plan which will identify the broad topic area being considered for further research and how this relates to your career to date and why this is being considered in terms of your current understanding of literature and research methods. (addressing all LO's)
Additional Assessment Details (include formative feedback / assessment):
Formative feedback will be given through group and individual tutorials
Additional Assessment Details (include formative feedback / assessment):
Formative feedback will be given through group and individual tutorials
Module Indicative Content
This module introduces doctoral research by examining your own personal and professional experiences to critically reflect on how you have arrived at this point in your learning journey.
A critical personal biographical approach is promoted to encourage analytical discussion of the decisions that have been made that have influenced career pathways. This will draw a consideration of relationships to institutional structures, education, policy changes, professionalism, ethical questions and relevant theory to contextualise the analysis. Subsequently, philosophical approaches to research will be considered in order to outline an initial development plan to identify the broad area of research to be studied and initial thoughts on the methods to be used.
The module will also include practical sessions relating to information strategies in conducting doctoral research i.e. literature searching, systematic reviews, IT skills.
A critical personal biographical approach is promoted to encourage analytical discussion of the decisions that have been made that have influenced career pathways. This will draw a consideration of relationships to institutional structures, education, policy changes, professionalism, ethical questions and relevant theory to contextualise the analysis. Subsequently, philosophical approaches to research will be considered in order to outline an initial development plan to identify the broad area of research to be studied and initial thoughts on the methods to be used.
The module will also include practical sessions relating to information strategies in conducting doctoral research i.e. literature searching, systematic reviews, IT skills.
Module Learning Strategies
Contact Hours: (12 over 2 days)
6 hours Lectures
3 hours Group work
3 hours Workshop
Independent Study Hours: (138)
10 hours Preparation for group work (this is provided in the form of a study pack, and must be completed before the taught sessions)
78 hours Research/reading
50 hours Assignment preparation
6 hours Lectures
3 hours Group work
3 hours Workshop
Independent Study Hours: (138)
10 hours Preparation for group work (this is provided in the form of a study pack, and must be completed before the taught sessions)
78 hours Research/reading
50 hours Assignment preparation
Module Resources
Power point equipment
Blackboard access
Blackboard access
Module Texts
BERNECKER S. & PRITCHARD D.(Eds) (2010) The Routledge Companion to Epistemology. London, Routledge
DENT M. & WHITEHEAD S.(Eds) (2002) Managing Professional Identities: Knowledge, Performativity and the new Professional. London, Routledge.
MILNE D (Ed) (2003) Modern Critical Theory: An Anthology of Theorists Writing On Theorists. Chichester, Wiley-Blackwell.
SICA A. (Ed) (1998) What is Social Theory? The Philosophical Debates. Chichester, Wiley-Blackwell.
DENT M. & WHITEHEAD S.(Eds) (2002) Managing Professional Identities: Knowledge, Performativity and the new Professional. London, Routledge.
MILNE D (Ed) (2003) Modern Critical Theory: An Anthology of Theorists Writing On Theorists. Chichester, Wiley-Blackwell.
SICA A. (Ed) (1998) What is Social Theory? The Philosophical Debates. Chichester, Wiley-Blackwell.
Module Special Admissions Requirements
Registered on the Professional Doctorate Award