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Module

MCR8011 : Writing in a Research Setting (E-learning)

  • Offered for Year: 2025/26
  • Module Leader(s): Mx Jan Deckers
  • Lecturer: Professor Mark Pearce
  • Owning School: Pharmacy
  • Teaching Location: Off Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
Semester 3 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

Writing is a key skill for anyone in clinical research. This module aims to familiarise students with the many different processes involved in clinical academic writing. The module is designed to allow the students to experience clinical academic writing and to enable them to develop a range of key skills that will prepare them for writing research proposals, grant applications, case reports and manuscripts for both medical textbooks and journals.

Outline Of Syllabus

• writing standard operating procedures and study protocols;
• practical information skills;
• writing standard operating procedures and study protocols;
• developing a research idea;
• writing papers and grant applications;
• writing lay summaries;
• preparing graphical abstracts;
• peer review including responding to referees comments;
• identifying responsibilities related to authorship and ownership;
• detecting and avoiding plagiarism;

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion415:0060:00Assessments
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading105:0050:00Online content
Guided Independent StudySkills practice24:008:00Software
Guided Independent StudyReflective learning activity84:0032:00eJournal/Blog
Guided Independent StudyStudent-led group activity62:0012:00Wiki
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study102:0020:00Supplemental reading
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesScheduled on-line contact time21:002:00Synchronous online webinar
Guided Independent StudyOnline Discussion82:0016:00
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This module will be delivered online via Canvas through a series of guided learning opportunities including e-based lectures or tutorials. Students will learn fundamental principles of writing in a research setting. Through the virtual learning environment (VLE), students will develop reviewing, critical appraisal and writing skills through discussions and through self-directed learning. The students’ work will be assessed electronically and the students will receive formative feedback.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise2M25Abstract (Standard Length Document).
Written exercise3M45Research Grant Application (standard length as required by template).
Poster3M30Submission of a scientific poster
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Written exercise2MWrite a SOP (standard length document)
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

In order to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be able to complete clinical academic writing, students will complete three summative assessments. The first is an abstract for a paper to be submitted to a peer reviewed academic journal, the second an original research proposal for a grant application, and the third a written poster on their own research idea. In addition students will be formatively assessed on writing a standard operating procedure.

Reading Lists

Timetable