Course Catalogue

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Students must complete a substantive research dissertation in order to graduate with a Master of Primary Care. This can take several forms but must be an independent piece of work that demonstates they have an in depth critical understandikng of the topic being explored.

The project will be carried out over a maximum of 12 months, from the date of a successful ethics application

Varied, depending on the project, although students will be expected to examine recent publications in peer reviewed journals, current policy documents, if appropriate, and a wide variety of primary sources.

none

Introduction to Primary Care - required

Research Methods - required

Populations to Individuals: statistics, epidemiology & Critical Appraisal - required

Cancer in primary care - optional

Management of long-term conditions in primary care - optional

Social justice - optional

Working with others - optional

Learning in practice - optional

Achieving clinical effectiveness - optional

A research project of 15,000 - 20,000 words.
One of the following is acceptable:
Empirical data collection, involving either quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods

Secondary analysis of routine data or datasets collected as part of a larger project.

Literature review using Cochrane-type systematic review approaches; thematic analysis. integrative approaches (This must be more rigorous and extensive than the literature review that forms part of any project submission)

Case Study

Audit

This will consolidate and enhance the learning acquired during all other components of the MPC study, assessing their performance against the educational objectives of breadth, depth, synthesis and originality. Students will develop a practical understanding of the research process and be able to complete the dissertation.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

These will vary depending upon the type of dissertation undertaken but may include:

■ Develop the skills of designing an appropriate research protocol.

■ Complete a research ethics committee application and/or research governance approval application.

■ Negotiate access to the research setting and obtain appropriate permissions to conduct the research project, if required.

■ Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to research.

■ Complete the research process, from articulating aims and objectives, through selection and justification of the most appropriate methodological approach, sampling, data collection, analyses and writing up.

■ Present a comprehensive relevant literature review demonstrating logical thinking with clear arguments and critical appraisal.

■ Evaluate an intervention, identifying and critically discussing how the findings might influence or inform practice development

■ Write up and report on the findings of the project.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.