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This module offers the student an opportunity to lead and conduct a detailed research study in a profession-specific area relevant to health and social care practice. It involves critical evaluation of primary or secondary data, discussion and conclusion of the findings/results, including research limitations, presentation and synthesise evidence-based arguments to inform professional practice; education or policy. Examination of the ethical implications and reflect on the limitations of the completed research study. The skill required to synthesise the work for a potential publication facilitates the student to meet all the learning outcomes.

Where primary data collection is to be undertaken as part of a existing research project, the supervising lecturer will normally be responsible for gaining ethical approval before the module begins to ensure this process does not cause delays in your study. However, you will be expected to critically discuss the ethical implications of your research.

Topics will include:
Roles and responsibilities of students and their supervisor: the Dissertation Module Handbook contains information on getting started; literature searching and critique; managing references,
how to present and construct an article for a professional journal; identifying the gaps in the literature, time-management and reflection on process and progress; Dissemination of study findings and limitations in a format appropriate for the professional discipline.

LO1: Justify the relevance of a research question within your specific profession, which is relevant to contemporary health and social care practice.
LO2: Critically evaluate primary or secondary data relevant to health and social care practice.
LO3. Synthesise evidence-based arguments to inform your professional practice.
LO4. Critically evaluate the ethical implications relevant to the research study.
LO5 Critique, conclude and examine the implications of the findings/results of the research in relation to existing literature including the limitations of your study.