| CODE | RAD1152 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Research Methods | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Radiography | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will consider the role of research in radiography by examining different traditions and different kinds of evidence that can be used in radiography research. It will introduce students to the methodology and methods applied in the design, administration and completion of research articles and publications in order to equip them with the skills to critically interpret data both qualitative and quantitative and to evaluate research. Students will examine the research process from the initial formulation of a research question, through identifying appropriate methods, to the dissemination of results. The study-unit will also introduce students to current radiography research from a range of sub-disciplines which adopt a variety of methods as well as the skills and knowledge required to search, analyse and synthesise the research evidence on a chosen topic of interest. Study-unit Aims: - To explore the relevance of research for the discipline of radiography; - To explain the principles underlying the design, process and analysis of radiography and health care research; - To discuss the relationship between research question, research methods and research settings; - To alert students to the role of ethical issues in research; - To familiarise students with a body of current research across a range of substantive areas; - To encourage a critical approach to studying radiography research; - To give students the ability to search, analyse and synthesise research evidence relevant to health care practice. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Understanding of the concepts of academic reading and writing; - Identify ways to search and access evidence-based research; - Identify the strengths and weaknesses of research studies through the use of guidelines for the evaluation of research studies; - Appreciate the importance of evidence based health care practice; 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify and retrieve relevant literature to a topic being reviewed, using the appropriate databases, such as CINAHL, Medline, Psychinfo; - Extract information on individual research studies from research reports with the use of data extraction templates; - Synthesise and evaluate the results of the research studies on a topic; - Identify the strengths and limitations of research studies. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Essential Reading: - Gerrish K. & Lacey A. (2010) The research process in nursing 6th ed. Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 1405190485. - Aveyard H. (2010) Doing a literature review in health and social care: a practical guide 2nd ed. Open University Press. ISBN 0335238858. - Hart C. (2003) Doing a Literature Review, Sage Publications. - Parahoo, K (2006) Nursing Research: Principles, Process and Issues. London: Macmillan. Desirable Reading: - Creswell, J.W. (2009) Research Design. Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. (3rd ed) Sage Publications. - Polgar, S. & Thomas, S.A. (2007) Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences (5th ed.) Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. - Gomm R. & Davies C. (2000) Using evidence in Health and Social Care, Open University Press. - Polit, D.F., Beck, C.T. (2012) Nursing Research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (9th ed). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. - Ramlaul, A. (2010) Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Research. 1st ed., Elsevier, UK. - Wickam S. (2009) Appraising Research into Childbirth 鈥� an Interactive Workbook. Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier. - Watson, R., McKenna, H., Cowman, S. (2008) Nursing Research: Design and Methods. Churchill Livingstone. Supplementary Reading: - Pring, T. (2005) Research Methods in Communication Disorders. London: Whurr. - Robson, C. (2002) Real World Research: A resource for social scientists and practitioners (2nd ed.) Oxford: Blackwell. - Cluett, E.R., & Bluff, R. (2006). Principles and Practice of Research in Midwifery. Edinburgh: Bailliere Tindall. - Newell, R., & Burnard, P. (2006). Research for evidence-based practice. Oxford: Blackwell Science. - Rees, C. (2011) An Introduction to Research for Midwives. (3rd ed). Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Paul Bezzina Karen Borg Grima Deborah Mizzi Jonathan Loui Portelli (Co-ord.) Gerbert Van Dijk Francis Zarb |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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