Introduction to Social Research in Health Promotion

Course Code: MMAEHP_05

Masters Level Module

This module is designed primarily for students who are new to research or who wish to develop further their understanding of research in preparation for their report or dissertation. Taught online, the module attracts a range of home, European and international students who, through a series of guided activities, learn about the theory and practice of research in a step-by-step way. Students are able to bring their own research-related interests to the module which can be explored in preparation for a report or dissertation. Students first familiarise themselves with their co-students and identify areas of common interest and expertise which they can explore further as they progress through the module. Individual and group activities enable students to examine some of the assumptions underlying different approaches to research, to identify a possible topic for a small-scale piece of research (such as that for a report or dissertation), and to consider what research design and which research methods might best meet their research-related needs. Guidance is provided on preparing the overarching research questions of a study, identifying which research designs and methods might best provide answers to those questions, exploring ethical issues, and structuring and preparing a research proposal for a small-scale study. Throughout the module, students are first invited to identify what they already know about research, to learn from key research texts and then to share their learning with their co-students. Past students have focused on a range of research issues, from educational issues (such as promoting learning among blind and partially sighted students) to those focused on the interface of health and education (such as malaria-related education in resource-poor settings). It is recommended that Studentsstudents taking this module will need access to a copy of the have access to a hard copy of the course module text book: Robson, C. (2011) Real World Research. A resource for users of social research methods in applied settings, 3rd ed. London: Wiley

Related Programmes

Education, Gender and International Development MA
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Education, Health Promotion and International Development MA
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