PHCA9202 Research Design and Research Ethics

This topic examines the role of research in public health practice and policy. In particular, students will develop an understanding of the stages of research, including identification of research needs, commissioning research, forming research questionsfrom public health problems, planning research projects, choosing appropriate methods, collecting and analysing data, writing up research results, disseminating findings, and using research findings to improve research practice. Students will develop a proposal for a piece of applied public health research that will be undertaken during the final year of the course.

The topic aims to: develop understanding of ways in which research can usefully inform better public health policy and practice; critically appraise public health policy and practice contexts within which research is commissioned and used; develop research process skills, including the development of a research proposal submission for ethics approval; identify and develop relationship with thesis supervisors; assess and fill any gaps in knowledge and/or skills required to conduct the research described in the research proposal.

This topic aims to develop skills in research design and the creation of a research proposal and ethics application, that will lead to studies that improve policy and practice in the social sciences, health sciences, medicine or public health. It focuses on developing student's understanding of the different stages of research. This includes: identification of research needs, designing ethical research, commissioning research, forming research questions, planning research projects, choosing appropriate methods and theories, sampling strategies, collecting and analysing data, writing up research results.

1. Develop an understanding of ways in which research can usefully inform knowledge, policy and or practice
2. Critically appraise policy and practice contexts within which research is commissioned and used
3. Design a research proposal and ethics application for a thesis
4. Assess and fill any gaps in knowledge of methodology, theory or methods and/or skills required to conduct the research described in the research proposal