School of Human and Health Sciences

1. Module Code HMS1032

2. MODULE TITLE METHODS FOR INQUIRY (CHILD WELFARE &

PROTECTION/MSC HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE)

3. Schools involved in delivery Human and Health Sciences

4. Name of Pathway MA Child Welfare & Protection

MSc Health & Social Care

5. Module Leader Rachel Balen

6. Location for Delivery Queensgate

7. Module Type Core

8. Credit Rating 15

9. Level Masters

10. Learning Methods Lecture/Seminar 20 hours

Fieldwork 20 hours
Unsupervised Study 110 hours

11. Pre-requisites None

12. Recommended Prior Learning None

13. Co-requisites None

14. Professional Body Requirements None

15. Barred Combinations none

16. Module Grading Graded

17. Module Synopsis

This module will enable students to prepare a proposal to develop and advance a particular aspect of
their professional practice. The module will explore ways of identifying areas of concern and of
ascertaining a focus for change and advancement. Approaches, methods and strategies of inquiry will
be explored with a specific emphasis on practice development. Ethical, political, financial and practical
issues generated by changes in practice will also be addressed.

Students are expected to develop, with tutorial support, their proposal for their dissertation.

18. Outline Syllabus

The content will vary to an extent depending on the context of the proposal but material dealing with
general issues will include:

♦ Identifying problems emanating from practice which may require examination and change.
♦ Researching the literature and databases.
♦ Writing a project specification.
♦ Research approaches, methods and strategies for project management.
♦ Reflection and reflexivity.
♦ Resource and ethical issues.

19. Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module the student will be able to:

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School of Human and Health Sciences

Knowledge and Understanding Outcomes

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of strategies for examining and

evaluating advancing practice.
2. Critically appraise the implications generated by changing and advancing practice.

Ability Outcomes

3. Demonstrate the ability to utilise relevant knowledge and strategies to produce a feasible
proposal for advancing practice to professional standards.
4. Judge and justify choices of methodology, strategy, analysis and techniques.

20. Assessment Strategy

20.1 Formative Assessment

This module will be assessed both formatively and summatively. Formative assessment will
be as negotiated with the module leader.

20.2 Summative Assessment

Assessment Tasks

A proposal for advancing professional practice will be developed in the relevant format for the
desired purpose.

The proposal will total 4000 words.

Assessment Criteria

In addition to the general criteria for written submissions:

1. The proposal is produced to an appropriate professional standard with justifications

and rationales for the methods proposed. (Learning outcomes 1 and 3).
2. The proposal identifies both relevant strategies for change and the implications of
introducing change into professional practice. (Learning outcomes 2 and 4).

Assessment Weightings

Assignment 100%

21. Learning Strategy

Lectures, Seminars, Fieldwork and Tutorials

22. Indicative Reading

Holloway I & Walker J (2000) Getting a PhD in Health and Social Care Blackwell Science: Oxford
Rudestam K E Newton R R (2001) Surviving Your Dissertation A Comprehensive Guide To Content
And Process London: Sage
Usherwood T (1996) Introduction to Project Management in Health Research: A Guide for New
Researchers Open University Press
Walliman N (2001) Your Research Project a step by step guide for the first time researcher Sage
Baker M & Kirk S (2001) (3rd edition) Research and Development for the NHS: Evidence Evaluation
and Effectiveness Radcliffe Medical Press
Department of Health (2001) Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care London:
DoH
Muir Gray J A (2001) (2nd edition) Evidence-based Healthcare: How to make Health Policy and
Management Decisions Churchill Livingstone
St Leger A S Wadsworth-Bell J P (1999) Change-promoting Research for Health Services
Buckinghamshire: OU Press
Carlisle C (1994) Writing a Research Proposal Nurse Researcher Vol 2: 1:24-32

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School of Human and Health Sciences

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