Level 7 Research Methods (Level 7, 30 credits)
- Course type
- Continued Professional Development (CPD)
- Course qualification
- Level 7
Course summary
What is the fee?
For all course options, see fees and funding
Where will I study?
School of Health and Society
How long will I study?
One semester
Overview
This module is ideal for health and social care professionals looking to develop a rigorous approach to a research project. It is also offered as part of the School’s MSc degree programmes.
You will:
- develop a rigorous approach to the process of research
- prepare to complete a dissertation or research project
- explore contemporary issues and debates in research
How you learn
Future careers
This module can be taken as stand-alone for the purposes of continuing professional development.
On completion of this module you will have the necessary skills and knowledge to design, implement and analyse research methods and results. You will be able to apply what you have learnt to undertake your own research project and may choose to undertake further postgraduate study.
Career Links
We work with over 100 health and social care organisations so our links with industry are very strong. These relationships will be of direct benefit to you because our academic team work in practice in some of these organisations at a senior level so are able to keep you at the forefront of developments in the sector which in turn help you provide a better service.
Modules
This module will explore:
- Contemporary issues and debates in research
- Theories/paradigms of research
- Ethics of research
- Reviewing literature and the critical analysis of existing research
- Developing a research question/hypothesis
- Designing appropriate research
- Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement in research (PPIE)
- Role and function of the pilot study
- Developing a research proposal
- Access and sampling
- Methods of data collection
- Fundamentals of frequently used statistical tests
- Presentation, analysis and interpretation of data
- Uses and application of ICT and information retrieval
- Dissemination and publication of research
Please note that exact modules and content offered may vary in order to keep content current and, for courses that offer optional modules, may depend on the number of students selecting particular options. When accepting your offer of a place to study on a programme with optional modules, you should be aware that optional modules may not all run each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you can undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Entry requirements
Full-time, In-person Research Methods: for this option, we offer the module in both Trimester 1 and Trimester 2 as follows lasting for one trimester.
- Trimester 1 - Between September and January.
- Trimester 2 – Between January and May.
Part-time, Online Research Methods: for this option, we offer the module in Trimester 3 lasting for one trimester.
- Trimester 3 – Between June and August.
This module is suitable for all health and social care professionals interested in advancing their skills and knowledge of research methods.
Entry requirements
Previous study and experience
You must be:
- A registered professional working in health and social care.
- A graduate or graduate equivalent.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
Fees and funding
Type of study: Full-time (in-person) and part-time (online).
2025/26
| Type of study | Fees |
|---|---|
| Part-time | £1,530 |
2026/27
| Type of study | Fees |
|---|---|
| Part-time | £1,570 |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.