Please note: there may be some adjustments to the teaching arrangements published in the course catalogue for 2020-21. Given current circumstances related to the Covid-19 pandemic it is anticipated that some usual arrangements for teaching on campus will be modified to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff on campus; further adjustments may also be necessary, or beneficial, during the course of the academic year as national requirements relating to management of the pandemic are revised.

Social Science Research Methods (Genetic Counselling) MED5422

  • Academic Session: 2022-23
  • School: School of Medicine Dentistry and Nursing
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Available to Erasmus Students: No

Short Description

The research methods course will focus on developing students' research skills primarily in questionnaire-based qualitative and quantitative observational research methods and students will be introduced to ethics procedures for the Medical School.

Timetable

Semester 2 - sessions once per week.

Requirements of Entry

None

Assessment

2000 word research report (based on the group investigation) with group-generated Methods (20%) (500 words) and individual results and discussion section (1500 words) (40%); students will also be asked to prepare a group presentation of their group investigation (40%) which will include an introduction to the project.

Course Aims

This course aims are:

■ To develop students' awareness of qualitative and quantitative research paradigms appropriate to genetics counselling research with human participants

■ To work in small groups to complete a mini-project using mixed methods-based research methods and present their findings

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Demonstrate critical awareness of the assumptions of different methods and statistical tests and the limitations of associated research designs

■ Plan and execute a small-scale research project which will demonstrate critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of ideas

■ Demonstrate an ability to generate and critically evaluate data, graphs, charts and tables

■ Demonstrate an ability to generate and critically evaluate qualitative analysis

■ Communicate ideas and findings to peers and supervisors using both written and oral means

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.