Postgraduate taught 

Oral Sciences MSc

Advanced Oral Science Research Skills MED5484

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Medicine Dentistry and Nursing
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course will enable students to develop a critical understanding of the processes and technical requirements involved in the design, development and execution of a defined research methodology in a working research environment.

 

Working within small groups the student will undertake key techniques aligned to their programme of study to gain a critical understanding of applying research methodology to scientific hypotheses.

Timetable

The course will be delivered over five weeks in the form of tutorials, practical classes/workshops and self directed learning within a specific research environment.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Portfolio 25%

The student will be asked to provide a reflective portfolio notebook detailing the logic behind their method selection, problems and solutions and key learning points.

 

Report 50%

The students will be required to provide a written report (ca. 2500 words), detailing method design and development, implementation and analysis.

 

Oral Presentation 25%

The student will present a technical report of this exercise to their peers and supervisory staff.

Course Aims

The course aims to provide students with a critical understanding of methodological development, design and validation of techniques aligned to their research dissertation, with particular emphasis on troubleshooting.

The course also aims to develop students' proficiency in the generation, analysis and presentation of material related to Oral Sciences.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

■ Critically discuss the selection of methodologies for a defined research question and appraise technical issues relative to quantitative and qualitative research.

■ Critically evaluate their own research data, with emphasis on the evaluation of the translational value of their findings.

■ Critically appraise the literature to determine key steps in the choice, development, validation and implementation of their chosen research method in Oral Sciences research.

■ Collect, analyse and present research data using appropriate software.

■ Produce effective written communication in the form of a project report.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

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