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Dissertation (Health Research) - HEA00167M

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  • Department: Health Sciences
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Alexandra Smith
  • Credit value: 60 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24
  • Notes: This is an independent study module

Module summary

In this module, you will undertake an independent research project. Supported by supervisors, you'll apply the research methodologies, skills and knowledge acquired from taught modules during your programme, specialising in an area of knowledge and research relevant to your studies.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

  • To provide students with the opportunity to pursue an independent research project in a health research related area.

  • To allow students to apply the research methodologies, skills and knowledge learnt from within the taught modules to a substantive piece research work.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

  1. Systematically plan and structure a research project.

  2. Select and apply appropriate research methodologies to design and conduct an independent piece of research (for example; a systematic/scoping literature review, analyses of a secondary dataset).

  3. Be able to formulate and refine research questions.

  4. Demonstrate an ability to source relevant information related to their dissertation topic.

  5. Critically appraise and interpret existing literature.

  6. Organise and structure and analyse/synthesize research findings.

  7. Demonstrate the ability to communicate and present research in a succinct and scientific manner.

  8. Demonstrate the ability to present complex arguments and synthesise complex ideas.

  9. Critically evaluate the limitations of their own work and research methodology.

  10. Organise and manage workload effectively.

Module content

The premise of the dissertation process is discussed in the initial induction process, during student supervision, in the student handbook on the student intranet and on the dissertation VLE module site.

The dissertation process can include for example; primary research (e.g. primary data collection, including interviews or focus groups etc.); secondary data-analysis of quantitative or qualitative data (e.g. analysis of datasets or qualitative interview data previously collected); systematic or scoping reviews, (both quantitative and qualitative); meta-analyses and other statistical techniques that might be applied to large datasets or published research studies. Information about the different types of dissertation are available on the student intranet and the dissertation VLE site.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Graduate/Postgraduate Dissertation
Dissertation		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

None

Module feedback

Written feedback for the summative assessment is provided on the standard proforma, within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.

Indicative reading

Completing a masters’ dissertation in the department of Health Sciences, University of York.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.