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PHPS41140

Academic Year 2024/2025

MPH Dissertation (PHPS41140)

Subject:
Public Health & Population Sci
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
30
Module Coordinator:
Dr Catherine Phillips
Trimester:
Summer
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
Module Type:
Research/Capstone Module
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Each MPH candidate prepares a dissertation, based on the style of a journal article, on a subject allocated by the School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sport Science, incorporating a detailed review of relevant literature on the topic, identification of a specific research question, analysis of data or a systematic review on the topic, presentation of results and interpretation in the context of existing literature. The thesis should be of publishable standard and must conform to School requirements. During the year, each candidate gives a conference style oral presentation on the subject of the thesis, including the relevant literature/background, aim, objectives, methods, results and discussion. Students will have attended SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) training sessions as part of Applied Research Methods & Data Management module, UCD Research Integrity training as well as Dissertation and Scientific Writing classes as part of PHPS41140.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should:
- understand how to carry out a review of the scientific literature, conduct and write up a comprehensive literature review on the topic of their dissertation;
- understand the ethical aspects of conducting scientific / public health research;
- apply for approval of the study under consideration and request data from the relevant secondary source for their research topic (data analysis projects) or conduct a systematic review ;
- be competent to make oral presentations (in the style of a conference presentation) of their research project to relevant audiences;
- know how to manage research data, to analyse data using statistical software, and to interpret results;
- present a complete written dissertation on their research topic (in the style of a journal article), to include appropriate presentation of results, discussion of results in the context of existing literature and possible policy implications of their findings.

Indicative Module Content:

- Orientation to UCD library facilities:
- Training in online reference management systems;
- Critical appraisal of the scientific literature on the research topic chosen;
- Research integrity training;
- How to develop and formulate a research question;
- SMART research aims and objectives;
- study designs appropriate to the research question;
- preparation of dissertation database;
- preparation of an elevator pitch;
- analysis of data, presentation of results;
- interpretation of results in the context of existing literature;
- understanding and presenting strengths and limitations of the study;
- writing and presentation of dissertation research (dissertation in style of a journal article, how to prepare an abstract, poster and oral presentation);
- understanding the publication process.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

16
Project Supervision

14
Specified Learning Activities

500
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Total

600

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active/task-based learning;
Lectures;
Practical sessions;
Self-directed learning;
Critical writing;

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Thesis/Dissertation: Research Project Dissertation Week 2 Autumn, Week 3 Autumn, Week 4 Autumn, Week 5 Autumn, Week 6 Autumn, Week 7 Autumn, Week 8 Autumn, Week 9 Autumn, Week 10 Autumn, Week 11 Autumn, Week 12 Autumn, Week 14 Autumn, Week 15 Autumn, Week 1 Spring, Week 2 Spring, Week 3 Spring, Week 4 Spring, Week 5 Spring, Week 6 Spring, Week 7 Spring, Week 8 Spring, Week 9 Spring, Week 10 Spring, Week 11 Spring, Week 12 Spring, Week 14 Spring, Week 15 Spring, Week 1 Summer, Week 2 Summer, Week 3 Summer, Week 4 Summer, Week 5 Summer, Week 6 Summer, Week 7 Summer, Week 8 Summer Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

50

 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Oral Presentation on Dissertation Topic Week 5 Summer, Week 6 Summer Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

20

 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Literature Review Week 2 Autumn, Week 3 Autumn, Week 4 Autumn, Week 5 Autumn, Week 6 Autumn, Week 7 Autumn, Week 8 Autumn, Week 9 Autumn, Week 10 Autumn, Week 11 Autumn, Week 12 Autumn, Week 14 Autumn, Week 15 Autumn, Week 1 Spring, Week 2 Spring Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

20

 Yes
Practical Skills Assessment: Engagement and Professionalism Week 1 Autumn, Week 2 Autumn, Week 3 Autumn, Week 4 Autumn, Week 5 Autumn, Week 6 Autumn, Week 7 Autumn, Week 8 Autumn, Week 9 Autumn, Week 10 Autumn, Week 11 Autumn, Week 12 Autumn, Week 14 Autumn, Week 15 Autumn, Week 1 Spring, Week 2 Spring, Week 3 Spring, Week 4 Spring, Week 5 Spring, Week 6 Spring, Week 7 Spring, Week 8 Spring, Week 9 Spring, Week 10 Spring, Week 11 Spring, Week 12 Spring, Week 14 Spring, Week 15 Spring, Week 1 Summer, Week 2 Summer, Week 3 Summer, Week 4 Summer, Week 5 Summer, Week 6 Summer, Week 7 Summer, Week 8 Summer, Week 9 Summer, Week 10 Summer, Week 11 Summer, Week 12 Summer, Week 14 Summer, Week 15 Summer Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

10

 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback individually to students, post-assessment Individual feedback provided on each component of the module The student will work with their project supervisor who will also provide feedback at project meetings and on the first draft of the dissertation.

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