KNOWLEDGE OUTCOMES
The module will guide students in assimilating knowledge associated with the research process. On successful completion of the module, students should show understanding of:
• Key concepts in research design and their application in health science research;
• Ethical issues in conducting research and the implications to the research process;
• The concepts of accuracy, reliability, validity and feasibility in research;
• Key features of selected research methodologies;
• Selected objective approaches to analysing published papers and professional guidelines;
• Specific statistical concepts for design and analysis of research;
• The power of personal reflection in building personal problem solving capacity;
• Formal presentation styles for scientific research.

SKILL OUTCOMES
The module will facilitate development of skills associated with the evaluation, assimilation, and conduct of research. On successful completion of this module the student should be able to:

• Use electronic resources within UCD and on the www to find and present information;
• Develop and structure a theoretical argument supported by a critical review of literature and available evidence;
• Apply the Harvard Reference System accurately and consistently;
• Apply a robust, realistic and reproducible study design to a small scale research project considering issues of feasibility, data validation and reliability;
• Work within the ethical framework agreed for the project;
• Apply appropriate analytical and statistical approaches to evaluation of research data;
• Reach valid conclusions and contextualise these against the broader framework of current knowledge;
• Pro-actively solve problems within the research process through individual action and taking advice
• Articulate research findings logically and coherently in written and oral presentation.


PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES
The module aims to encourage students’ development as effective members of the health care/health science team. On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Identify appropriate information sources and peer reviewed journals of relevance;
• Achieve specified tasks within given time limits;
• Reflect on personal expertise in research and research analysis, and identify approaches to improve and develop such expertise;
• Make informed choices and take responsibility for working independently;
• Enter professional discussion concerning specified research;
• Identify their level of personal interest in research as a potential career pathway;
• Evaluate the module content in the context of the importance of research to professional practice;
• Adopt a career-long, critical and positive approach to published research as the basis for evidence based good practice.

Coursework and teaching will build on material covered in RDGY30320.

Students will develop their knowledge of the research process through consideration of: critical literature analysis; validity and rigour in scientific methodology; critical analysis of qualitative and quantitative results to include selected statistical tests and software programmes; accuracy and validity in drawing conclusions; and presentation of research through formal writing and oral presentation. Under staff supervision, each student will independently undertake a professionally relevant project, culminating in submission of a degree thesis and potential publication of appropriate results.

Introduction to Research RDGY30320

This module is not offered to students who are not following the accredited Diagnostic Imaging degree.

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

Generally and where possible, feedback on one assignment will be available before the next assignment is submitted.