OT7004 - Occupational Therapy Research Project

What will I learn on this module?

In this module you will develop the necessary skills to plan, develop, implement, and critique a research project which is relevant to and with the ability to contribute to the knowledge and evidence base for occupational therapy. This will enhance your skills in the critical evaluation of data. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to plan for dissemination of your research to a wider audience via producing a manuscript in the format suitable for submission for publication in a health or social care peer reviewed journal.

With support from your academic supervisor you will undertake your own research project; this may involve primary data collection, critical analysis of existing data, or a systematic review of the literature on a specific topic.

More specifically, depending on your choice of methodology you will develop
• Project management skills including time management skills
• Knowledge and skills required for quantitative or qualitative data collection and/or systematic literature reviewing
• Knowledge and skills required for critical qualitative or quantitative data analysis, and/or data synthesis

This is a valuable and exciting learning and development opportunity that will enhance your employability and future career opportunities as a contemporary autonomous professional.

How will I learn on this module?

Your learning in this module will be primarily independent/self-directed, and you will have regular contact with your academic supervisor. You will be expected to prepare well for tutorials and send your academic supervisor information in advance of tutorials. Your academic supervisor will facilitate your reflection on your development through self and group directed study.

You will have the opportunity to participate in an enquiry-based learning approach that will promote peer and self-coaching to meet the module learning outcomes. In developing a ‘community of learning’ within a professional framework, you will be expected to attend teaching sessions, behave in a professional manner, and engage and contribute to the learning of yourself and others.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

At the end of year 1 you will be given an academic supervisor to support your learning in relation to your project to facilitate your confident engagement with this module. She/he will support your academic development in up to 12 hours of face-to-face tutorial time for which you are expected to prepare and send your academic supervisor relevant materials well in advance. In addition to this, you are encouraged to work in peer group supervision to support each other’s work and progress. Tutor-facilitated workshops will give you the opportunity to refresh your qualitative or quantitate data analysis skills using your own data and that of your peers.

As with all modules, extensive support is also accessible online as part of the University’s commitment to technology enhanced learning. This employs the use of the e-learning portal, social networking and collaborative tools. And you are strongly encouraged to refer to the content of the research module in Year 1.

A central feature of the academic support available to you is the service provided by the University Library. This 24/7 service caters for all your learning needs, has extensive access to electronic texts and tutorials that will directly support the development of academic skills aimed at improving your critical thinking and communication skills.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

By the end of this module you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
• Systematically implement data collection and data analysis methods that result in valid or trustworthy findings that are meaningful to Occupational Therapy/Science.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Critically evaluate the relevance of published quantitative and qualitative studies, and/or systematic reviews to your own work.
• Write up your work following guidelines for publication of a peer reviewed journal relevant to your work.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Reflect critically on your own learning and on the contribution of your work to knowledge in the field.
• Value research participants as essential facilitators of and contributors to evidence.

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment:
You are encouraged to use peer learning to support and critique each other’s work throughout this module.

Summative assessment:
The summative assessment will consist of two parts:
a) A 5000-word write-up for publication of your MSc project intended for a specific peer reviewed journal in the field of health, rehabilitation and/or social care following the journal’s guidelines for authors (50%);

b) A 5000-word reflection on the research process and your personal and professional development in the course of this process (50%).
All MLO’s

Pre-requisite(s)

Research in Health and Social Care Module

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

In this module you will implement your own research project (supported by a project supervisor) based on the understanding of research and the research skills you have developed in the research module in year 1 and building on your previous experiences at Bachelor level. You can choose from two options in this module:

a) an empirical project in which you will collect data (or possibly work with existing data) relevant to occupational therapy.
b) a systematic review of evidence relevant to occupational therapy.

Research topics will be in line with Faculty and Professional research themes and priorities.

Summative assessment provides you with the opportunity to write-up your research as for intended publication (submission to a specific relevant publication/journal) supported by a critical reflection on the research process and your personal and professional development in the course of this process.

Course info

Credits 60

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 2 years full-time

Department Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2024

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Your Learning Experience

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints