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 Control 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; ethical principles surrounding research; 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:

Scheduled learning and teaching activities: (15)
15 Hours - attendance at seminars and active engagement in workshops

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

Learning activities will include:
1. Information and literature gathering using various methods, including the internet
2. Preparing and presenting critical appraisals of qualitative and quantitative research papers
3. Critique of a set qualitative and a set of quantitative research papers (choice of four)
4. Introduction to poster preparation and presentation skills

Library and Information resources
CD-ROM and databases for electronic literature searching
Personal computer and printer
Course handouts
Module tutors
Critical appraisal checklists
Copies of research publications (where set by tutors)

Chambers, R & Boath, E.H. (2000) Clinical effectiveness and Clinical Governance Made Easy. 2nd Edition. Abingdon, Radcliffe Medical Press
Crombie I (1996) The Pocket Guide to Critical Appraisal. BMJ Books
Girden ER (2001) Evaluating Research Articles From Start to Finish, Second Edition SAGE Inc
Gomm R, Needham G & Bullman A (2000) Evaluating Research in Health and Social Care. SAGE Ltd
Greenhalgh T (2001), How to Read a Paper The Basics of Evidence Based Medicine (2nd ed) BMJ Books, London
Lawrie, SM, McIntosh, A. & Rao S (2000), Critical Appraisal for Psychiatry Churchill Livingstone
Marchevsky D (2000), Critical Appraisal of Medical Literature. Kluwer Academic / Plenum

Written critique of a set qualitative and a set quantitative research paper using the appropriate checklist to a deadline; 2500 words (Learning Outcomes 1,2,4,5) 50%

Poster preparation with oral defence. This will include summary of a comprehensive literature search on a research question chosen by the student. Outlining the databases searched, MeSH, key terms used and justification for this. This will be presented in a poster and oral format. (Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,6) 50%

Both pieces of work must achieve a pass grade of 50% and demonstrate the appropriate learning outcomes.