Title Introduction to Academic Skills for Health ProfessionalsCode PP108 Level HE Level one Credit rating 10 pointsPre-requisites NoneType of module ExtensiveAims The aims of this module are to:

1. Provide students with the basic skills required to study at an undergraduate level

2. prepare students for research methodology at level 23. develop student understanding and skills in the use of databases,

scientific writing, basic statistics, presentation skills and understanding scientific literature

Learning outcomes/objectives

On successful completion of the module the student will be able to: Engage in self- directed learning that promotes professional

development Gather and record relevant information from a wide range of

sources including electronic databases, and adopt systematic approaches to evaluating the information collected

Demonstrate evidence of logical and systematic thinking Write in a scientific style and organise their reading and cite

references in the Faculty style Develop an understanding of different types of research Understand why we calculate and use simple descriptive statistics Understand why we perform the basic manipulations necessary to

undertake analysis using simple univariate inferential statistics

Content Searching for information using electronic databases, keeping track of reading and referencing, developing a scientific writing style, descriptive statistics, presentation skills, reading scientific literature, reflective practice, writing skills.

Teaching and learning strategies

Lectures; supervised IT sessions; tutorials

Learning support The reading list for this module is shared with its second-level companion module Research Methods in Health Care. Indicative reading: Howitt, D. and Cramer, D. 2000. First Steps in Research and Statistics. RoutledgePolgar, S. and Thomas, S.S. 2000. Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences. Churchill Livingstone Rowntree, D. 2004. Statistics Without Tears: a primer for non-mathematicians. Penguin). Hicks, C. 2004 Research Methods for Clinical Therapists. Churchill LivingstoneSilverman, D. 2005 Doing Qualitative Research: a practical handbook. Sage In addition, students are introduced to Microsoft Excel, Word, the library catalogue, online journals and search engines available through the University’s Information Services.

Assessment tasks The purpose of this assessment is to combine the learning of basic study skills with an understanding of the principles of research, in an undergraduate higher education setting. The assessment will be a series of tasks to test: referencing literature searchingplagiarism awareness skills of reflection

Below is an example of the assessment, although it may be refined as experience dictates:

Piece One: Referencing – to reference 20 given pieces of literature from a range of sources 20 marksPiece Two: Provide 10 references from their own literature search about qualitative and quantitative research 20 marksPiece Three: a 500 word piece on their understanding of plagiarism, with references 30 marksPiece Four: a 500 word reflective piece 30 marks

The combined marks for the tasks will constitute 100% of the assessment.

Brief description of module content and/or aims (maximum 80 words)

This module sets out to provide students with the skills required to search, record and structure information from a wide range of sources. It aims to develop students’ abilities in scientific writing, data processing and basic statistics in addition to presentation skills necessary for other modules. For students undertaking the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy and Podiatry courses, this module is also intended to be a basis for its second-level companion module Research Methods in Health Care.

Area examination board to which module relates

Podiatry

Module team/authors/ coordinator

Maria Young (Module Leader), Virginia Jenkins, Lucy Redhead, Paul Watters

Semester offered, where appropriate

Year 1, Semester 1

Site where delivered EastbourneDate of first approval 9th January 2002Date of last revision 25th October 2008Date of approval of this version

26 November 2010

Version number 5Replacement for previous module

PP108

Field for which module is acceptable and status in that field

Podiatry :Compulsory

Course(s) for which module is acceptable and status in course

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Nursing, Status: Compulsory

School home Health Professions, Faculty of Health & Social ScienceExternal examiner Mr Paul Frowen

Dr Alan Borthwick