Module manager: Dr Amy Downing
Email: A.Downing@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
See programme entry requirements
| MEDR5120M | Analytic Research |
| MEDR5130M | Intervention Research |
| MEDR5310M | Getting started in health research |
| MEDR5320M | Capturing and Handling Data |
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module provides you with the opportunity to undertake a small-scale health and/or social care research project supported and supervised by experienced researchers. Your research project may be primary research (e.g. quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods in nature), secondary research (e.g. a systematised review of the literature), or a service evaluation/audit. You will be supported through a series of seminars and supervisions to develop a suitable research question, undertake a systematised search of the literature, produce a research proposal, obtain ethical approval (if required), collect data, undertake analysis and write up your project. Your completed project will be written up in the style of a journal article.
This module is the culmination of the MSc in Health Research Programme, and builds upon the learning from previous modules. It aims to support your development as an independent researcher with the knowledge and skills to design, conduct and report high quality applied research that addresses health and/or social care challenges. You will be supported by expert tutors. Through a series of seminars, you will be develop key research skills. Through supervisions with methods and topic experts you will be supported to conduct a small-scale research project.
On successful completion of the module and associated assessment you will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1- Search for, evaluate and use information sources to develop knowledge, support arguments and draw informed conclusions.
Leeds Skill Matrix: Academic skills – critical thinking
2- Communicate and present research ideas and findings clearly and backed up with appropriate knowledge in a journal style.
Leeds Skill Matrix: Work ready skills – communication
3- Apply research knowledge and theory to real world research and practical examples.
Leeds Skill Matrix: Work ready skills – critical thinking
4- Reflect critically upon your own research skills and development needs.
Leeds Skill Matrix: Academic skills – reflection
On successful completion of the module and associated assessment, you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1- Design a feasible, well-designed and ethical research proposal to investigate a health and/or social care topic.
2- Design and conduct research that includes strategies to engage relevant stakeholders, ensures inclusive research practices and has an impact plan.
3- Critically review the relevant published literature in an orderly way
4- Apply your knowledge to successfully operationalise your protocol to conduct a high-quality study.
5- Employ appropriate standards of rigour in the conduct and presentation of your study.
6- Critically evaluate your findings in relation to current literature, including developing recommendations for policy, practice and future research.
This module is the cumulation of the MSc in Health Research, throughout this module you will be supported to develop and conduct a small-scale, independent research project through a series of seminars and project supervisions. Seminars will cover topics including:
- Reviewing the literature
- Developing a research protocol
- Inclusive research
- Obtaining ethical approval
- Data collection
- Writing up research
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| Practical | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Seminar | 7 | 3 | 21 |
| Private study hours | 570 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 600 | ||
Through a series of seminars (on topics such as: designing a proposal, ethical approval, searching the literature, conducting research, and writing up research) and regular supervision you will be supported to design and conduct your own small-scale health and/or social care research project. The interactive nature of the seminars and supervision will provide you with regular opportunities for formative feedback with experts on the topics being covered.
In addition, there will be two formative assessments: a short review of the literature relevant to your topic and a reflective diary. Feedback will be provided on your literature review. The reflective diary will inform an important part of your thinking and development as a researcher, and will support you in identifying areas where you may require support and further development. You can then discuss this with tutors in seminars and/or during supervisions to gain feedback and support.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Formative – literature review introduction (max. 1,000 words) | 0 |
| Coursework | Formative - reflective diary kept throughout module | 0 |
| Coursework | Research Proposal (max. 1,500 words) | 30 |
| Coursework | Write up of the study in the style of a journal article (max. 5,000 words) | 70 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Compensation is not permitted across summative components (e.g. a pass mark in all components of the assessment is required to pass the module). Resits will be in the same format as the original failed piece of coursework. Module marks will be capped at 50% on successful resit of any failed assessment in the module.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 25/04/2025
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