The purpose of this module is to consolidate and extend students' knowledge of research approaches and methods and enhance their ability to be critical users of research evidence. The module examines philosophical and theoretical perspectives underpinning health and social care research approaches including exploration of research design and key aspects of data gathering and interpretation of both qualitative and quantitative analyses. The module will develop practical skills for identifying, critically reviewing and synthesising research evidence relevant to professional practice. Please note: this module is taught face to face.

Available as a standalone module: Yes

Attendance (Please note, this is subject to change for future intakes)

Dates: For attendance information, please see the top of this page. Please note, if the module is full or closed for the intake(s) this academic year, dates may not appear. 

Venue: LSBU Southwark Campus

Typical intake(s): Semester 1 and Semester 2

Career Benefits

Given the increasing requirement for practice in the health and social care professions to be evidence based and this evidence being largely generated by research, it can be assumed that the candidate's employment opportunities will be enhanced on completion of a research module such as this. Furthermore, now that the entry level qualification for most health and social care professions is a Bachelor’s Degree, on completion of postgraduate study the student will meet the higher academic requirements for eligibility to apply for higher grade/level professional clinical and academic posts and thus enhance their employability prospects.

Assessment

• CW1 - Poster presentation
• CW2 - Written assignment

Semester 1 submission dates: 05/01/2027 or 06/01/2027 (poster presentation), 12/01/2027 (written assignment)

Semester 2 submission dates: 06/05/2027 or 07/05/2027 (poster presentation), 14/05/2027 (written assignment)

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding:       

• Critically consider the contemporary philosophical issues, challenges and innovations relating to research methods and methodologies.
• Critically appraise research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) and evaluate their use in health and social care research.
  

Intellectual skills:

• Appraise strategies for identifying gaps in knowledge, and explore how these can be used to influence the construction of research questions and study designs.

Practical Skills:

• Explain and apply critical appraisal skills when evaluating published research studies.
• Demonstrate and critically reflect on the use of information retrieval skills using appropriate research databases.

Transferable skills:

• The ability to analyse and synthesise research findings and explain how they underpin professional practice.
• The ability to identify appropriate research evidence and decide how to use it to inform and improve practice.

This module can contribute to the following programme(s)

6015: PgDip Specialist Practice Qualification District Nursing

6076: PgDip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visiting)