MSc in Clinical Research
Start date: September 2012
Duration and mode of study: One year full-time; 2 years part-time
Why study the MSc in Clinical Research?
The MSc Clinical Research programme provides high quality education and training in the range of analytical techniques and practical skills required to plan and undertake clinical, health services or biomedical research. It is based on proven teaching units developed in the School of Health and Related Research, combined with a clinical research practice unit.
This Masters course provides a firm grounding in the range of skills and disciplines that are essential to good clinical and biomedical research, including study design, statistics and randomised trials methodology. A range of options is also available including qualitative analysis and systematic reviews.
The course is co-ordinated and taught by tutors with an established track record of clinical and health-related research, and mentors based in clinical research teams, clinical research facilities.
During the taught component, participants will study alongside those taking a range of other health research programmes. This enables them to benefit from a range of options, and enhance their experiences by participation in a large multi-disciplinary student body.
Who Should apply?
The MSc in Clinical Research is suitable for health and social care professionals interested in clinical research.
Aims and objectives
The MSc in Clinical Research aims to provide students with in-depth understanding of the process and techniques of clinical research, and the skills to undertake high quality independent research in a clinical setting.
Specifically it aims to:
- Equip students with the knowledge and skills required to initiate and complete high quality, methodologically sound and ethical clinical research;
- Enable students to review and critically appraise the methods and results of existing research, and understand the implications for clinical practice;.
- Give students experience of working as part of a team in clinical and biomedical research settings.
Course outline
The programme has been designed to enable developmental understanding of the research process, and progressive gain of the skills required to perform successfully as an independent clinical researcher.
The core units (3 x 15 credits) impart the fundamentals of the research process, and introduce the main building blocks in clinical research: study design, statistics, and clinical trials methodology.
The optional units (3 x 15 credits) build on these foundations, enabling students to focus on a specific area of interest. Options include qualitative methods, economic evaluation, epidemiology, using secondary data and evidence-based practice.
The Practical Aspects of Clinical Research unit (30 credits) covers practical issues of developing and completing clinical research from idea to implementation. It covers many aspects relevant to the successful completion of research including formulation of research questions, regulatory and
ethical issues, good clinical practice, patient and public involvement, cultural competence, costing and funding issues, project management, publication and dissemination of results.
The dissertation (60 credits) provides the final step towards gaining the knowledge and practical skills to become an independent researcher. Students will develop a professional development plan to support their future research career.
Course contact
For more information please contact:
Teaching Support Unit
ScHARR Regent Court
30 Regent Street
Sheffield, S1 4DA
E-Mail: scharrtu@sheffield.ac.uk