OPT028 - Study and Research Skills for Eye Care Professionals 2

This module builds on OPT008 and enables you to develop your research skills to improve your ability to conduct robust research and to reach sound analytical conclusions.

The module encourages you to translate evidence-based research into optometric practice. This module introduces research techniques and the principles of research methodology, including the ability to recognise and validate problems encountered in optometry-related research.

There is a particular emphasis on enhancing key research skills including critical thinking, presentation, statistical analysis and writing for the academic community. In addition, you will have the opportunity to further enhance your knowledge relating to ethical and statistical considerations in optometric research and critical evaluation of scientific literature.

This is a distance learning only module.

Learning objectives

On completion of the module, you should be able to:

• determine an appropriate research design to effectively address a research question within optometry
• identify and reflect on different research methods (both qualitative and quantitative research), that are and can be used within optometry
• use this knowledge to start evaluating the literature, critically and reflect on its implications for practice
• demonstrate an understanding of statistical principles in analysing data, delineating the appropriate methods to use for differing data sets
• have knowledge of the ethical implications of research and how to complete an ethics application
• disseminate the results of research or evidence-based practice to colleagues.

How the module will be delivered

This module is taught via Xerte tutorials and lectures (PowerPoint with audio), along with podcasts (Audio files), delivered via Learning Central, the University’s e-learning system, with supporting resources and references supplied. There is an introductory webinar, and further webinar sessions of guided online learning. This is a distance learning only module

Student attendance to the module Journal Club is strongly recommended. The Journal Club will meet monthly via webinar to discuss a range of research documents including peer-reviewed papers, poster presentations, systematic reviews and ethics/grant applications. The literature to be discussed will be circulated before each webinar, all students are required to contribute to the discussion.

Skills you will practise and develop

Academic skills

• The identification of strengths and weaknesses and gaps in current knowledge
• The ability to effectively search research literature and identify key evidence to support a hypothesis.
• How to evaluate and interpret qualitative or quantitative data
• The ability to write concisely and clearly for the academic community

Subject-specific skills

• Designing clinical research projects
• Understand how such research translates into evidence-based practice in optometry
• A working knowledge of statistical approaches in research
• The ability to critique research literature

Generic skills

• Project and time management
• Searching for relevant information
• Working independently
• IT skills
• Refining analytical and problem-solving skills

Syllabus content

• Principles of good clinical practice and research integrity
• Ethical considerations and how to write an ethics application
• Research design
• Quantitative research
• Qualitative research
• Statistical analysis of research data
• Searching for information and collecting references
• Writing for the academic community
• Conferencing, presenting and networking

How the module will be assessed

Formative assessment

This work needs to be completed but does not carry a mark. Students will be asked to form an analysis plan, analyse and write-up the results of a given research question. A dataset will be provided and analysis must be conducted using computerised software. This coursework must be submitted in writing.

Summative assessment

• Online Examination (40%):There is a multiple choice question test that will assess comprehension and application across the entire syllabus which students take at the end of the lecture series.
• Written Coursework (60%): Students will undertake a written assessment in the form of a miniature literature review. They will initially submit a review topic for guidance and then write a short review of the literature whilst also documenting their search methodology.