| CODE | MNH1003 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Research Methods for Mental Health Studies | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Mental Health | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit introduces students to the research process, starting primarily from an exploration of the qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method methodological approaches and consequently verging into the main types of research designs. Data collection methods shall also be described as well as quality assurance approaches during research. Topics included are: - Introduction to research; - Introduction to research in mental health; - Brief overview of research methods (Qualitative, quantitative, mixed); - Types of research designs (RCT etc.); - Reliability and validity testing and rigour; - Data collection methods and sampling; - Academic reading and writing; - Contemporary trends in mental health research; - Ethics in Mental Health Research; and - Dissemination and application of evidence in Mental Health Practice. Study-unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to ground psychiatric nursing students in the various research methods that are applicable to their area of practice. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Understand the difference between qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method approaches; - Distinguish between different research designs and data collection methods; - Show familiarity with quality assurances process in research; and - Show awareness of the importance of generating evidence that guides and rationalises practice. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Discuss the main research approaches and their potential role in mental health research; - Apply appropriate research methods and designs to answer research/clinical questions e.g. by writing a proposal for a study; and - Identify and address ethical dilemmas in mental health research. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Cutcliffe, J. & Ward, M. (2003). Critiquing Nursing Research. Quay Books Division, London. - Straus, S.E., Richardson, W.S., Glasziou, P., & Haynes, R.B. (2011). Evidence-based medicine: How to each and practice EBM. Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone. - Creswell, J. (2002). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches Sage Publications. - Shaughnessy, J. & Zechmeister, E. (2011). Research Methods in Psychology (9th ed.) McGrawhill, USA. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Alexei Sammut Josianne Scerri |
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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. |
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