Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE IHC3005

 
TITLE Research Methods in Health Care

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 10

 
DEPARTMENT Faculty of Health Sciences

 
DESCRIPTION The study-unit will comprise of a series of lectures and independent study seeking to inform the students about the principles of the research process, and the different approaches and methods used to prepare rigorous scientific research studies. A number of assessment, at intervals along the study-unit, will provide the students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learned to the context of the research study. This study-unit will provide the basis from which the students will later pursue and present their research topic as a dissertation.

Study-Unit Aims:

This study-unit aims to:
- inform the students regarding different approaches to and methods for carrying out rigorous scientific research work;
- teach the students how to document and report their work;
- teach students how to appraise and evaluate published research studies/work;
- design and develop a research tool; successfully undertake an ethical clearance process.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- understand the principles of the research process;
- understand and implement various methodologies and approaches to research;
- search, retrieve, access and read research reports in an analytical and critical manner.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- carry out a rigorous research study, that is, be able to design, implement and report it in an academic manner;
- appraise and research work.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Gerrish K.& Lacey A. (2006) The Research Process in Nursing, Oxford: Blackwell Science.
- Rebar, C.R. and Gersch, C.J. (2015) Understanding Research for Evidence-based Practice, 4th Edition, Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.
- Punch, K.F. (2014) Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. 3rd Edition. Sage: California.

Recommended Journals:
- JAN; NET.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES A pass in this study-unit is required before registering for IHC3600.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM2 Yes 50%
Online Moderated Discussions and Postings SEM2 No 50%

 
LECTURER/S Michelle Camilleri
Josianne Scerri

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit