Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals

Course Description

The aim of this unit is to develop learners’ research skills, to include understanding different research approaches, formulation of research proposals, planning research activity, analysing and interpreting data, and the relationship between research and evidence based practice.

Course Objectives

The aim of this unit is to develop learners’ research skills, to include understanding different research approaches, formulation of research proposals, planning research activity, analysing and interpreting data, and the relationship between research and evidence based practice.

Key Topics

1. LO1: Understand the relevance of research within health and social care contexts.
2. LO2: Understand research approaches in health care contexts.
3. LO3: Be able to plan a research proposal relevant to management of health and social care contexts.
4. LO4: Be able to analyse and interpret a range of data.
5. LO5: Understand the relationship between research and evidence based practice.

Course Outline

Learning Outcomes

1. LO1 Understand the relevance of research within health and social care contexts.
2. 1.1 Justify the contribution of research to health and social care provision.
3. LO2 Understand research approaches in health care contexts.
4. 2.1 Critically evaluate a range of research philosophies.
5. 2.2 Examine different approaches to research.
6. LO3 Be able to plan a research proposal relevant to management of health and social care contexts.
7. 3.1 Justify the elements of a research proposal.
8. 3.2 Design an appropriate research proposal.
9. 3.3 Analyse the ethical aspects of research.
10. LO4 Be able to analyse and interpret a range of data.
11. 4.1 Explain types and sources of research data.
12. 4.2 Analyse data using appropriate approaches.
13. 4.3 Draw conclusions from data collected.
14. LO5 Understand the relationship between research and evidence based practice.
15. 5.1 Analyse the relationship between research and evidence based practice.
16. 5.2 Evaluate an existing piece of research relevant to health and social care.
17. 5.3 Analyse the contribution of research and evidence based practice to decision making.