OT7000 - Research Informed Occupational Therapy

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 through exploration of structured and staged skill-based tasks. Staff will introduce you to concepts, information and practical skills and facilitate reflection on your development through self and group directed study. In developing a ‘community of learning’ within a professional framework.

There will be opportunities for peer learning both within your own student group and with BSc Occupational Therapy students. The collaboration and joint learning across programmes will give you the opportunity to appreciate the positive contribution a range of perspectives can make to your development as a researcher and as an evidence-aware health care practitioner. Engagement in critical dialogue with service user/ public researchers will enhance learning and appreciation of the value of a wider range of perspectives.

Successful academic achievement requires a system of robust support and guidance to help you focus on your learning needs. In addition to the pastoral support you will receive, the tutors involved in delivering this module will provide guidance and academic counselling to ensure that you are able to confidently engage with the academic and practical rigor of this module. This dialogue will be delivered using a blended approach through workshops and tutorial support which are essential aspects of the programme’s assessment for learning strategy. Extensive support is 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.

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.

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)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Develop critical discussion of research methods including threats to reliability and validity in quantitative research and trustworthiness in qualitative research
2. You will be able to critically discuss the value of service-user and carer involvement as co- producers in research to the type and quality of evidence produced

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Critically review the evidence base for a topic area and identify the need for research/evaluation and the implications of this for practice.

4. Develop coherent research skills, including critical review of quantitative and qualitative studies, alongside consideration of this in the context of practice.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Value research as essential to promote knowledge, occupational justice and contribute to the professional evidence base.

Formative assessment:
You will receive feedback on your project proforma, outlining your project theoretical background and intended methodology

Summative assessment:
You will have 2 summative assessments:

Assessment 1:
2000 words presenting your introduction, literature review and aims and objectives
50% of the overall module mark

Assessment 2:
2000 words presenting your methodology, ethical considerations and critical application of public involvement reflecting your choice to undertake an empirical project or systematic review.
50% of the overall module mark
All MLO’s

You will receive written feedback on these assignments outlining your areas of strength and areas for future development.

None

None

This module will support your understanding and development of research as a basis for the knowledge and skills required to undertake your MSc project. You will engage with a range of research rich learning opportunities, related to research methods and skills and evidence-based practice. Working with peers you will consider existing research-related skills and knowledge and begin to develop these within a series of workshops related to qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. There will be opportunities for peer/ staff feedback through action learning sets on project ideas, methodological and ethical considerations. The module is assessed by two assignments which together will form a project proposal, which will then serve as the basis for your project research ethics submission.