Project design, development and knowledge transfer module

The Project Design, Development and Knowledge Transfer Module (PDD 721) enables students to develop the knowledge and skills involved in the design and development of a research project and the knowledge transfer process. This module prepares the students for their dissertation and throughout the module they have the opportunity to develop their research ideas starting from developing and refining the research question, selecting appropriate research methodologies and research methods while considering the ethical issues around the research.

The module consists of a series of discursive study days and one-to-one and/or group tutorials, supplemented by course materials, discussion forums and other activities conducted online. The students gain practical experience of multi-disciplinary team working and have an opportunity to develop a project proposal demonstrating innovation and creativity in research design, development and knowledge transfer.

The module includes the following: 

• Study Day 1: Turning your ideas into a research question
• Study Day 2: Searching and critically reviewing the literature
• Study Day 3: Project Design & Methodological Approaches
• Study Day 4: Dissemination and Impact in Research, Ethical/governance issues in clinical education research and Knowledge Transfer process
• Study Day 5: Project management and Statistics for your research

The Module also runs in a distance learning format (PDD 721 DL). This module has been designed to be delivered at a distance and students have access to all the resources they need for the module via the digital learning environment (DLE). The Module consists of five stages in developing a project proposal for the Master’s dissertation (excluding an Induction Stage). These include:

• Induction Stage– Getting used to the online learning environment and distance learning
• Stage 1 - Introduction to the Module and getting started (Developing your Research Question)
• Stage 2 - Searching and reviewing the literature
• Stage 3 - Project Design & Methodological Approaches
• Stage 4 - Dissemination and Impact in Research, Ethical/governance issues in clinical education research and Knowledge Transfer process
• Stage 5 - Project management and Statistics for your research

The module is run jointly across our suite of postgraduate taught programmes in the Peninsula Medical School. This is a good opportunity to work alongside colleagues interested in different disciplines. The principles of research are relevant to all.