This module aims to provide participants with an understanding of the role and significance of educational research within contemporary health professions education and will introduce students to a variety of educational research methods appropriate to this field. The module aims to develop the necessary knowledge, confidence and skills to undertake research in health professions education, and prepares students for the requirements of the Masters in Health Professions Education research project. During the course of the module students will develop a study proposal which will form the basis of the assessment for the module.

Theoretical perspectives underpinning educational research Common methodologies used in education research approaches including case study, reflective practice, practitioner based research and action research Quality and rigour within health professions education projects Ethical challenges in education research Identifying and defining a research question/problem in health professions education Critical analysis and evaluation of relevant knowledge bases including the use of systematic reviewing and effect sizes Discursive literature review Educational research design Designing and assessing instruments for collecting data Data analysis. Preparing a research plan and ethics submission Avoiding plagiarism Dissemination of educational research

Describe the significance of educational research to health professional education and practice. Discuss the key principles of study design, data collection and analysis Critically evaluate published educational research from both theoretical and methodological perspectives. Identify and define a relevant and feasible research/enquiry question Select and design appropriate instruments to address specific questions Develop a study proposal with associated ethics application Examine data using at least two different approaches.

Discuss key strategies to promote rigour in research in health professional education. Discuss the importance of a reflexive and reflective stance within education research and enquiry. Discuss key ethical principles in health professional education research.

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This module will be delivered through a virtual learning environment (Sulis). Students will be introduced through guided independent learning to modern day educational research concepts and terms. For those on the blended learning format an additional face to face teaching day will be delivered during the module. The face to face teaching day will support students in understanding difficult concepts relevant to this learning. The interactive nature of the face to face teaching day will provide the opportunity to apply knowledge in a task based approach. Working in collaborative groups students will critique the outputs of existing scholarly activity, will discuss ethical issues relevant to education research and will practice research methodologies relevant to health professions education. The learning environment generated will stimulate students to be knowledgeable, proactive, creative, collaborative, articulate and responsible in line with the University's Graduate Attributes. For those on the distance Learning format an online discussion forum will support students in understanding and clarifying difficult concepts relevant to this learning. Tasks will be provided through an e-learning platform with the discussion forum encouraging collaboratively learning to complete the tasks. Due to its nature the discussion forum will also promote the development critical appraisal skills, a considered approach to ethical issues relevant to education research as well as consolidating the use of appropriate research terminology.