Postgraduate - UnitMFM4016 - Introduction to research methods

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Synopsis

This is a compulsory core unit for the Master of Medical Ultrasound course. Students are expected to explore the following areas; introduction to methodology, scope and nature of research in medical imaging, study designs, qualitative versus quantitative research, descriptive, observational and experimental studies, getting started, including literature surveys, critical appraisal of journal articles, research protocols, descriptive and inferential statistics, data analysis, questionnaire construction and survey techniques and writing papers and giving presentations on research.

Outcomes

On completion of the unit students should be able to:

1. Understand the nature and scope of research in Medical Ultrasound;
2. Understand and be able to implement the methods using in answering questions that arise out of Medical Ultrasound;
3. Critically appraise the medical literature;
4. Develop an enthusiasm for doing individual research;
5. Gain some practical experience in doing research projects.

Assessment

Qualitative research project assignment: 20%
Critical appraisal assignment: 15%
Research protocol assignment: 15%
Statistics assignment: 10%
Questionnaire survey assignment: 40%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Michal Schneider-Kolsky

Prerequisites

Completion of the Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound or equivalent