| Unit name | Clinical research methods in chronic disease |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SOCS30001 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Wylde |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
This unit will introduce you to clinical research methodology. Using musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions as disease models, the unit will illustrate commonly used clinical research methods, including randomised controlled trials, epidemiology studies, systematic reviews and qualitative research. You will gain an understanding of the clinical aspects of disease and key features of clinical research methodology including research design, ethics, and patient and public involvement.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
The unit aims to:
(i) Provide you with fundamental knowledge of key clinical research methods and essential concepts in research design
(ii) Provide you with an understanding of the clinical aspects of musculoskeletal and respiratory diseases
Learning Outcomes
(i) describe clinical aspects of disorders involving the musculoskeletal and respiratory systems
(ii) discuss the qualitative and quantitative methodologies that can be used in clinical research
(iii) demonstrate understanding of the key factors that are crucial in research design
(iv) write and present/defend in person a research study proposal
This unit is taught through lectures, data handling sessions, interactive workshops and tutorials (which may be online or face-to-face, where appropriate). Independent study: you are expected to study the recommended literature and read further scientific literature to aid in writing the research proposal.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Feedback will be provided for a draft of the methods section of the research proposal.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The unit will be assessed by a summative written research proposal that will be presented orally in-person. The research proposal will be based on a choice of a provided research question and the structure of the research proposal will also be provided (75%). You will also create a poster based on the research proposal and discuss this in a short oral presentation to a panel (25%).
When assessment does not go to plan:
As this is a final year unit, reassessment is not normally permitted. However, in light of self-certification of absences or certified exceptional circumstances, the Exam Board may award a further attempt at failed or missed assessment. The reassessment will normally be in the same format as the original assessment. See the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further details.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SOCS30001).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
