MD5899 Independent Research Project

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Full Year

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

60

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available to students on the Health Professions Education programme.

Module coordinator

Dr E D Watson

Dr E D Watson
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Veronica O'Carroll, Dr Evelyn Watson

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module will focus on providing students with the opportunity to undertake an in-depth investigation into a chosen topic in health professions education. Students will be required to complete a dissertation in the form of one of the following three options: • an empirical piece of research • a systematic review • an extensive research proposal This module will be fully online with a mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning. Live synchronous teaching will be scheduled in GMT. Participants must have access to a device with internet connection, webcam, and a microphone. Dissertations will be supervised by members of the School of Medicine teaching, honorary, and/or research staff. Supervisors will be allocated according to staff availability and expertise.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

N/A

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Weekly meetings (approx 1 hour) held with supervisor throughout module. In semester 1, seminars (approx. 3 hours) will be scheduled fortnightly, these will be optional based on project type. In addition, optional whole cohort drop in sessions will be scheduled fortnightly.

Scheduled learning hours

302

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

309

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • critically evaluate the existing relevant research and use this to inform their own research.
  • plan and execute a significant project of research, evidence synthesis, or the development of a research proposal.
  • apply critical analysis, interpretation, and understanding to issues which are at the forefront to health professions education.
  • demonstrate advanced academic writing skills.