PHPS41140 MPH Dissertation

Academic Year 2022/2023

Each MPH candidate prepares a dissertation 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 provided 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 an oral presentation on the subject of the thesis, the relevant literature, access to the secondary data for analysis, data analysis plan and preliminary results if available. Students will have attended SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) training sessions. as part of Applied Research Methods & Data Management.

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Curricular information is subject to change

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;
- be competent to make oral presentations of key aspects 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, 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;
- 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;
- presentation of a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

400
Total

400
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active/task-based learning;
Lectures;
Critical writing; 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Presentation: Oral Presentation on Dissertation Topic Throughout the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

15
Attendance: Engagement and Professionalism Throughout the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

10
Project: Project - Individual Thesis Varies over the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

75

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