A written essay evaluating the implementation and outcomes of one policy in health or social care, based upon a synthesis of available research from a range of sources (2500 words and weighted 100%; mapping to LOs 1and 2). This will be due at the end of the module delivery

This module meets the care certificate standards:
1. Understanding your role; 2. Your personal development

This module will give an overview of research methods and how research skills are utilised within health and social care sectors to inform practice. This will enable you to understand the research process in relation to your role within employment and personal and professional development within the health and social care sectors.

The module has four main elements:

1. Introduction to the role and process of research; the core principles of empirical study; different types of evidence
2. An overview of research strategies and methods: quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods designs along with their key procedures. Ethical considerations.
3. The critical appraisal of research evidence: design, sampling, data collection, data analysis and findings

4. Implementing research evidence in health and social care policy

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (22 hours)
6 hours Lead Lectures
8 hours Group work / discussion
8 hours of group tutorials

Guided Independent Study: (128 hours)
10 hours Blackboard supported work
25 hours Preparation for group/ class work discussion
30 hours Literature searching and reading
63 hours Preparation for assignment

Access to Blackboard learning environment
IT support
Library facilities

Aveyard, H (2013) A Beginner's Guide to Evidence-Based Practice in Health and Social Care (2nd edition). Buckingham, Open University Press
Bowling, A (2014) Research Methods in Health Care: Investigating Health and Health Services (4th edition), Buckingham, Open University Press
Bryman, A. (2015) Social Research Methods (5th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hek G and Moule P (2015) Making Sense of Research: An Introduction for Health and Social Care Practitioners (5th edition) London, Sage

1. Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the use of research data in relation to health and social care practice (SG: 2)
(Knowledge and Understanding, Learning, Problem Solving)

2. Critically evaluate the methods of empirical enquiry as utilised in the study of health and social care and how these inform research findings (SG: 2, 4, 5)
(Analysis, Application)

3. Relate the process of research-led enquiry and evaluation to the development and implementation of health and social care policy (SG: 2, 3, 5, 6)
(Enquiry, Problem Solving)

This module is designed to give you an understanding of how research is used to investigate and address key issues in health and social care. It will look at academic research, but also into the methods and results that are used by other organisations (such as charities, local authorities and businesses) to find out where the problems lie, and what works to tackle them.