Professional/Short course Research Methods

Course code
UFMFGV15M
Application
University
Level
Professional/Short Course
School
School of Computing and Creative Technologies
Campus
Frenchay
Duration
One semester
Delivery
Face-to-face
Module Leader
Dr Adedayo Adeleke

15 credit level 7 module

About

This 15 credit module, Research Methods, is designed for those who are research active or aiming to be research active, and covers core material for those working or aiming to work in health provision. The module has a focus on quantitative research methods and also covers the principles of data quality and method validation.

This module is ideal for anyone looking to strengthen their foundation in research methods and quantitative analysis, preparing you for real-world applications across various industries. You will be able to discover how to make data-driven decisions and enhance your research skills with practical statistical techniques.

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

  • apply advanced statistical techniques in empirical research using modern day software
  • evaluate model diagnostics to inform empirical model building
  • interpret and explain a wide variety of empirical statistical models in different context (own analyses or research papers) 
  • evaluate the role played by statistical design in medicine and industry
  • apply appropriate research governance that is particular to any research project.

Careers / Further study

This module can contribute towards the MSc Health Technology.

How to apply

Please click on the Apply Now button to apply for your CPD module, which you can take as a stand-alone course or as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate (Masters level) programme.

For further information

Structure

Content

The module syllabus typically includes the following:

  • Advanced modelling techniques
  • Binary, ordinal and nominal logistic regression models: application, theoretical underpinning, model diagnostics
  • Discriminant analysis: applications and interpretation, theoretical underpinning, model diagnostics
  • Multivariate analysis of variance
  • Survival analysis
  • Biomedical research techniques:- Principles of experimental designs relating to medical studies.- Determination of sample size for a given study- Measures of reliability including Intra Class Correlations, Bland-Altman plots, Cohen's kappa- Analysis of survival data including the proportional hazards survival model, estimation of survival probabilities      Kaplan-Meier survival curves, log rank tests
  • Industrial Studies:- Two-level full and fractional factorial designs, central composite and rotatable designs and process optimisation- Taguchi methods and their role in product design and quality improvement- Missing data
  • Meta-analysis- Introduction to meta-analysis - Systematic reviews, publication bias, effect sizes, random and fixed effects models; examples taken from the empirical literature
  • Research governance - an overview of research governance including bioethics and ethical standard frameworks and committees. 

Learning and Teaching

The statisticians on this module are applied statisticians by education, training, qualification and experience.  Similar subject knowledge experts deliver the qualitative components, systematic review training, and in research ethics.  

This module will be delivered in discrete sections, following the subject areas outlined in the syllabus. Each topic area will be introduced with underpinning lectures followed by a series of tutorials where extensive use of case studies will be made.

Tutorials will use indicative lists of questions to guide your learning. It is expected that the tutorial work will be completed before the tutorial. 

Assessment

Assessment for this module comprises a two-hour examination and a written assignment.

Prices and dates

Supplementary fee information

For information on fees, managing your money and determining your fee status, please go to our fees and funding pages.

Dates

Please click on the Apply Now button to view dates.

Features

Study facilities

UWE Bristol is superbly equipped with libraries and computer labs, and an excellent campus environment.

Take a personalised virtual tour of the Computing and Creative Technologies facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.

Page last updated 19 November 2025