This course will give you an in-depth understanding of research skills and process whilst also improving your understanding of, and ability to critique, contemporary research in a range of settings.

You will cover topics including:

• Importance of sound research design
• Navigating ethical approval processes
• Governance of research in a range of settings
• Engaging with the public, special populations and third sector organisations

You will be encouraged to collaborate with the University research community as you complete the course and your own research.

There will be the opportunity to collaborate with our Institute for Health and Care Improvement (IHCI) or one of our other research groups covering health, bioscience and sport. There is a strong social justice element to this work. These groups are concerned with finding solutions to key health challenges currently faced by the region.

You will be supported and guided by a qualified research supervisor with subject specialist knowledge applicable to the topic for your research project.

Teaching and learning

The two taught module components will be delivered mostly online. The content of the course is informed by the research and practice of the academic staff from across the School of Science, Technology and Health. There will be a  number of compulsory online learning activities, on-campus study days, and meetings with your personal supervisor.

The first 2 modules are taught via compulsory online learning, supported by a day on campus at the beginning and end of the semester. This will help you to build peer support, useful networks and a research community.

The thesis module is taught via individual meetings with your supervisor. You will work closely with this supervisor, who will give you support and guidance throughout the project. This will give you one to one, tailored support which will help to give you confidence in your own research skills.

Laboratory-based projects, such as those within Biosciences, Biomedical Science, and Sport, will require up to 6 months full-time research to be carried out within one of our dedicated laboratory research space

Your learning will be informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. Our academic teams are constantly investigating, interrogating and contributing to their respective fields. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.

Assessment

Assessment methods will evaluate both your theoretical knowledge and practical research skills. You will complete critiques of published work in the style of peer-review, which is a common method in research. The final assessment will be your thesis. The thesis must report the findings of your independent research, which will showcase the research capabilities you have learned throughout the course.

Career outcomes