MS933-120 Dissertation for MRes

Academic year: 25/26
Department: Warwick Medical School
Level: Taught Postgraduate Level
Module leader: Frances Griffiths
Credit value: 120
Module duration: 46 weeks
Assessment: Multiple
Study location: University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

Introductory description

Dissertation module for MRes Health and Care

Module aims

To critically advance knowledge related to health and care through an original piece of research
To deploy advanced research methodology within the research
To develop students' intellectual abilities using theoretical perspectives
To develop students’ ability to critically analyse the key issues of an area of study through reference to the research literature and experience as a researcher
To develop students’ ability to produce and communicate a substantial, independent piece of research

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This module requires the student to advance knowledge related to health through an independent piece of research, deploying advanced research methodology. The research will be written up as a dissertation.
After an initial seminar to develop research ideas for the module, each student will be supported by an expert supervisor. They will meet the supervisor regularly and the supervisor will provide feedback on written drafts. The student may engage with a second supervisor able to provide different expertise to gain the benefit of a multidisciplinary approach in their research.
Formative assessments will include presentation of research proposal and presentation of a research summary.
Teaching resources available for students include · Literature searching and formulating a research question · Study design · Research ethics · Writing a research protocol · Presenting a protocol for peer feedback · Journals and the publication process · Critical writing · Writing for publication.
Students book sessions for specific advice such as with our Information Scientist, Patient and Public Involvement Experts or with a Research Methodologist.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

Develop an appropriate research proposal and protocol that complies with ethical principles and addresses a research question within health and care sciences
Demonstrate self-direction and originality in the critical evaluation and synthesis of research evidence relevant to the chosen research topic
Produce and communicate an extended critical appraisal of the current literature, using appropriate quality assessment processes, to evaluate the limitations of research evidence and justify the need for the proposed research
Demonstrate advanced skills in planning, information gathering and data interpretation and synthesis for research enquiry
Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of different research methodologies and how these might be applied to health and care related research
Have the knowledge and skills to independently design, plan, conduct, and complete a significant piece of research
Have the knowledge and skills to independently complete a significant piece of academic writing
Advance health-related knowledge through an original piece of research
Deploy advanced research methodology within an original piece of research

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Research element

Research project for dissertation.
Primary research or evidence review or secondary data analysis

Interdisciplinary

Academics at Warwick Medical School come from a range of different academic disciplines. A student will have one main supervisor but will be able to seek advice from an academic from different disciplinary backgrounds to support their research. This is appropriate for many health science research topics.

International

Academics at Warwick Medical School have extensive networks of international collaborators. Embedding an MRes within their international research programmes will be encouraged.

Subject specific skills

Sound understanding of topic of dissertation
Advanced knowledge of relevant methodology
Ability to critically evaluate
Reflection
Application of theory

Transferable skills

Numeracy
Problem solving
Written communication
Teamwork
Organisation & time management
Use of tools and technology
Independence and initiative
Adaptability/Flexibility

Study time

Type	Required	Optional
Seminars	3 sessions of 3 hours (1%)
Project supervision	36 sessions of 1 hour (4%)
Demonstrations	(0%)
Practical classes	(0%)
Supervised practical classes	(0%)
Fieldwork	(0%)	30 sessions of 6 hours
External visits	(0%)
Work-based learning	(0%)
Online learning (scheduled sessions)	(0%)
Online learning (independent)	(0%)	8 sessions of 1 hour
Other activity	10 hours (1%)
Private study	925 hours (94%)
Total	980 hours

Private study description

Design, conduct and write up an independent piece of research that advances knowledge and deploys advanced research methodology. The research can be empirical or evidence review or secondary data analysis or a combination.

Other activity description

Required: Formative assessments: 1. presentation of project proposal with feedback from peers and module lead; 2. presentation of summary of research findings with feedback from peers and module lead. Optional: Action Learning Set for peer learning.

These activities will be undertaken jointly with WMS Dissertation and Professional Project Masters level students if the student cohort on the MRes is small.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A

	Weighting	Study time	Eligible for self-certification
Dissertation and viva voce examination	100%	220 hours	No
The assessment is a dissertation allowing the student space to write in depth on their research topic, advanced methodology and research findings and so demonstrate the depth and specialism of research expertise gained during the period of study. The dissertation will report background to the research, justification including systematic review/synthesis of existing evidence to identify the research gap, relevant policy and practice issues, aims and objectives, research question(s), methodology including justification of choice and account of the advanced nature of the methodology, methods, results, discussion including critical review of results in relation to wider evidence/theory/frameworks, implications of results for policy, practice and future research, conclusion and references. For the viva voce examination, two assessors who have read the student's dissertation meet the student and ask questions of the student to check the depth of the student's understanding supporting the dissertation, to probe on specific issues where the assessors consider the dissertation needs improvement and to assess the potential of the student to undertake these improvements.

Assessment group R

	Weighting	Study time	Eligible for self-certification
Written response to assessor written feedback accompanying the dissertation edited in response to assessor feedback	100%		No
Written response to assessor written feedback accompanying the dissertation edited in response to assessor written feedback. The dissertation will be edited by the student in response to assessor written feedback. All edits will be indicated for the examiners (e.g. tracked changes). The written report will detail how the student has responded to the assessors written feedback. The length of the report will vary depending on the assessors feedback but is unlikely to exceed 3000 words.

Feedback on assessment

Written report attending to each of the assessment learning outcomes

Pre-requisites

A note for module reviewers:
MRes students will choose three taught research methods modules from a choice of six modules. They will undertake these modules alongside starting their dissertation. As we expect a number of MRes students to undertake empirical research requiring full ethics review, it is important that they commence work on their dissertation at the start of the academic year with the support of their supervisors.

There is currently no information about the courses for which this module is core or optional.