Course Catalogue

Applied research practice - research proposal MED5695

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Health and Wellbeing
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course will offer the students coverage of research governance processes and ethics and allow them to develop the ability to conceptualize and design a systematic programme of research. Through individual academic supervision and teaching sessions, students will engage with research design, planning and proposal writing.

Timetable

Students will have regular meetings with their research supervisor as well as synchronous lectures.

 

Requirements of Entry

This course is only open to those registered on the PhD in Clinical Psychology Science

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

1. Brief research proposal (3000 words) (ILOs 1-3)

Students will write a proposal covering key literature, research design and methodology and key governance and ethics issues (ILO1). The proposal should address key ethical and research governance procedures relevant to the project they propose to pursue and they should provide clear evidence of a reasoned approach to selecting research design and methods (ILO3). The analysis of the literature and the framing of any hypotheses should include evidence of critical analysis and in depth familiarity with the relevant research literature (ILO2). Finally, there should be evidence of strong written communication skills indicating a clear understanding of the relevant issues (ILO3).

Course Aims

1. To give students the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the research governance and ethics process in psychological research

2. To support students in developing and designing a systematic programme of psychological research

3. To support students in producing a research proposal with appropriate coverage of the literature, research questions, and methodology

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

1. Understand and describe key research ethics and governance procedures

2. Conceptualize and design research studies with testable hypotheses

3. Demonstrate understanding of key research conceptualization, design, planning, and methodology skills and the ability to clearly communicate that understanding in writing

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions