Research Project

PHAR44100 Research Project 30 Full year Undergraduate Level 7 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 15.0 This unit is the culmination of three years of research training, where students will be able to independently design a research project, collect data, analyse and present their data, demonstrating an understanding of the significance and impact of their work. This unit is the culmination of three years of research training, where students will be able to independently design a research project, collect data, analyse and present their data, demonstrating an understanding of the significance and impact of their work. The unit aims to: Develop skills in literature retrieval, formulating a hypothesis or research question, experimental design, testing and data acquisition, data analysis, report writing and oral presentation. The unit also reinforces the relevance of evidence based practice to clinical reasoning, as part of contemporary pharmacy practice. The students will be able to:<ul><li>Select and justify relevant methods to investigate a research question (e.g. design appropriate experiments)</li><li>Demonstrate advanced knowledge and awareness of contemporary development trends in clinical, pharmaceutical and practice subject areas relevant to their chosen project.  </li></ul> Students will be able to:<ul><li>Conduct a literature search (which may include searching a public database) in order to address a research question</li><li>Use the evidence base to review current practice </li><li>Formulate appropriate research questions to address an area where there is a need for research</li><li>Discuss what ethical issues apply to a chosen research project or question and undertake a risk-assessment</li><li>Critically analyse, interpret and evaluate the results of their enquiry, thus contributing to research and development activities to improve health outcomes</li><li>Convey research findings to a mixed audience (including members of the public) in plain English with scientifically accurate language, using an appropriate method for the audience</li><li>Articulate the significance of their work, identifying the impact or contribution their work has made to what is already known.  </li></ul> The students will be able to:<ul><li>Use qualitative or quantitative methods to collect data in an appropriate manner to address a research question</li><li>Use qualitative or quantitative data analysis methods to identify and to understand the key findings of their enquiry</li><li>Demonstrate creativity and initiative in organising an event to address the aims of their project (HPPE or CAC projects).  </li></ul> The students will be able to:<ul><li>Through working as part of a wider research group, appreciate the multidisciplinary nature of the pharmacy profession </li><li>Demonstrate an awareness of research paradigms and how multiple perspectives on a single research question can be valid</li><li>Provide feedback to another student on their work</li><li>Demonstrate confidence in taking responsibility for decisions and judgments they make as part of the research process</li><li>Convey research findings in a succinct and easily understandable written format for an academic audience</li><li>Demonstrate advanced presentation skills in explaining their findings to a mixed audience</li><li>For HPPE projects, work with a range of stakeholders, the public and external organisations in order to organise and deliver an engagement event</li><li>For group projects, demonstrate effective team working skills including negotiation, communication, listening and collaboration.   </li></ul> The teaching and learning philosophy for the MPharm places an emphasis on learner-centred rather than teacher-centred approaches. Learning is therefore structured to maximise guided self-directed learning, with enquiry driven project work and EBL workshops provided to support greater conceptual understanding of the material and deep, rather than superficial learning. This helps students prepare for their future careers by helping them to develop independence, confidence and resilience. A wide range of teaching and learning activity is included to meet the learning needs of a diverse range of students:<ul><li>Online learning: A small amount of guided self-directed learning to support the research project in year 4 is provided via the VLE Blackboard. This consists of links to external resources, factsheets and directed reading (which can be downloaded). In year 4, students are expected to supplement guided self-directed learning with extensive use of high-quality resources that they have identified themselves</li><li>Research skills bootcamp workshops: During semester 1, a series of optional bootcamp workshops are offered on a range of research skills e.g. literature searching, referencing, specific methodologies as well as “shut up and write” sessions. Students agree with their supervisor which sessions they will attend.</li><li>Student research conference: During semester 2, all students present their work in a full day conference with multiple themed parallel sessions. The conference is attended by academic staff and students from all years of the MPharm. This gives students experience of presenting to a mixed audience.</li><li>Project supervision meetings: Students meet with their named project supervisor on at least 5 occasions in formal timetabled meetings. Project supervisors support students with their enquiry from project design to presentation of the final research paper output.</li></ul> 0 Other 100% <figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Assessment Task</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Length</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">How and when feedback is provided</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Weighting within unit (if relevant)</td></tr><tr><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);" colspan="4">Formative</td></tr><tr><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Oral presentations (CAC and HPPE options)</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">10 minutes</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Verbal feedback after presentation</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">N/A</td></tr><tr><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Supervisor feedback on draft research paper or literature review</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">1500-word</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Written feedback 2 weeks after submission</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">N/A</td></tr><tr><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);" colspan="4">Summative</td></tr><tr><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Project outline</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">500 words</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Written feedback 2 weeks after submission</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">10%</td></tr><tr><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Project proposal</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">1000 words</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Written feedback 2 weeks after submission</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">15%</td></tr><tr><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Oral Presentation</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">10 minute presentation, 5 minutes questions</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Verbal feedback and completed rubric in supervision meeting</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">10%</td></tr><tr><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Research paper</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">3000 words</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Written feedback after board of examiners meeting</td><td style="border:1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">65%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> Please see the above assessment methods. PHAR11001 Foundations of Pharmacy Pre-Requisite Compulsory PHAR11002 Gastrointestinal system, liver and kidneys Pre-Requisite Compulsory PHAR22001 Immunity, Infection and Respiratory system Pre-Requisite Compulsory PHAR22002 Cardiovascular system Pre-Requisite Compulsory PHAR33001 Endocrine and musculoskeletal systems Pre-Requisite Compulsory PHAR33002 Brain and neurotransmission Pre-Requisite Compulsory N Supervisors provide general information about the project and relevant literature which varies depending on the type of project during their meeting in week 1 of the 1st semester. The interpretation and presentation of data, as well as the writing of the literature review and the discussion of findings in the light of existing knowledge necessitate that students have developed good library search skills in order to identify their own individualised reading lists. Assessment practical exam 11 Project supervision 40 Seminars 40 0 209 Other Scheduled teaching and learning activities:<ul><li>Data collection (where applicable for project e.g. in laboratory): up to 150, as directed by supervisor</li><li>Scheduled public health / engagement event (for HPPE option): up to 8, as directed by supervisor.  </li></ul>