In this blended module you will complete a project looking at an aspect of health informatics, which may be related to your work or working with a company. This gives you the opportunity to frame your own research questions and carry out a significant piece of research, often within a healthcare environment. The project is carried out over 8 months, and is researched and written under the supervision of a member of academic staff and supported by online materials and approximately one day per month in college with the dissertation team. Most of your specialised work is with your supervisor, and the dissertation team provided generic skills training for you to progress your work with additional researchers and with your peers.

You will scope the topic area and develop the research question, undertake detailed planning for your research project including project planning and ethical procedures, and submit a project proposal. Following feedback on your proposal, you will then carry out your research project. Formative assessments preparing you for project management and the final write-up. The module provides a structure for taught and supported independent study to enable you to explore the theoretical principles, approaches and methods of research in health informatics. You will write up your work in a reflective and scholarly way and learn how to prepare your work for publication.

At the end of this module you will:

1. Know how to undertake an original research project in health informatics

2. Be able to explore and contribute to the academic literature on research in one specific area relevant to health informatics

3. Be able to undertake independent research particularly in relation to:

o Critical reviewing the relevant literature

o Planning and application of one or more appropriate research techniques

o Managing time and resources to meet a deadline

o Addressing ethics issues where appropriate

o Data analysis

o Evaluation of the results

o Effective presentation of research findings

4. Develop higher level academic skills relevant to the preparation of a proposal and publication

5. Develop project and time management skills

The module is delivered through web-based distance learning in the UCL Virtual Learning Environment plus 8 face to face days across the academic year.  Four of the face to face days will take place at UCL London campus and four at the University of Manchester campus.