Public Health Research Project

Code

EPID4011

School

School of Medicine

Level

4

Credits

60

Semesters

Summer UK

Summary

Students will lead an independent research project with support from one or more supervisors, module convenors, and, as necessary, other university or non-university colleagues. Students will develop a project idea, work up methods for the design, conduct and analysis of the research project, carry out the research, and submit the final research project.
Student will produce progress reports for review by module convenors and their supervisors; apply phased development of ideas into a workable research project; develop a brief structured protocol and complete other documentation to apply for ethics approval and obtain any other regulatory approvals needed to conduct the work; present the project idea and protocol for peer review and the developed project at a project conference; conduct the research obtaining feedback from a supervisor during the process; write up and submit a portfolio of work (journal style research paper, plain language summary of research, poster with oral presentation of the research. 
 

Target Students

Primarily postgraduate students on the Master of Public Health, Master of Public Health (Global Health) and Master of Public Health (Research Methods).

Classes

• One 3-hour un assigned each week for 2 weeks
• One 2-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks

Submission of all course work elements is compulsory, i.e., all three elements must be submitted to be able to pass the module. The overall module mark is based on the weighting of all three elements and any mark deductions or penalties. To ensure achievement of the learning outcomes/competencies, a mark of 50% or above must be achieved on all three to pass the module

Assessment

• 70% Coursework 1: Research paper with supplementary materials (in style of journal paper).
• 10% Coursework 2: Plain language summary of research.
• 20% Coursework 3: Poster with presentation (in style of conference poster with brief oral presentation and answering examiners questions).

Assessed by end of designated period

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcome:
Completion of the module and the achievement of the research project coursework elements should result in acquiring the following key knowledge, understanding and skills:
 

Knowledge and understanding:

• Critically evaluate a public health problem in accordance with the requirements of a Master level research project

• Critically evaluate public health problems by assessing existing evidence to meet the requirements of a Master level research project

• Critically evaluate a public health problem in relation to informing public health risk, practice, policy or strategy

• Understand the process of undertaking an extended public health related research project including development of a protocol, obtaining regulatory approvals, collating or collecting public health data, interpreting findings and writing.  

• Understanding how findings should be translated into recommendations for public health policy, strategy, or practice

Intellectual and transferable skills:

• Systematically identify, locate, and retrieve existing research evidence and public health information
•  

• Critically appraise literature in the scope of the research project

• Synthesise knowledge across the scope of the research project

• Critically evaluate different research methodologies and evidence

• Appropriately use and reference existing evidence as to provide context in communicating new research

• Make evidence-based recommendations on a public health issue that inform policy, strategy, or practice

Professional and practical skills:

• Communicate effectively with peers, academics and professionals in the field of the research project

• Effectively communicate research for an international academic audience

• Summarise research for effective communication to the public and key stakeholders

• Conduct oneself in a manner appropriate to the professional role within a multidisciplinary environment

Conveners

• Dr Manpreet Bains
• Mrs Jemma Orr
• Professor Laila Tata
• Professor Rachael Murray