The main purpose of the module is to foster a critical appreciation of the impact of research on women’s lives and how research may contribute to better lives for women. This involves equipping you with the skills and knowledge necessary to make sense of women’s health care research and innovations in practice as complex social and scientific processes rooted in evidence based health care. The module also aims to equip you with the skills necessary to appraise published research studies in women’s health, formulate a research question and choose an appropriate design to address a topic of relevance to women. 

After you have taken this module you should be able to: 


	Critically appraise published research studies in women’s health;
	
	
	Demonstrate theoretical understanding and practical skill in the formulation of a research question relevant to women’s health and choosing an appropriate research design to address the question;
	
	
	Demonstrate knowledge of ethical issues necessary to conduct research with women; 
	

	Describe the basic components of different types of research studies;
	
	
	Consider priorities for women’s health research;
	
	
	Appreciate the patient’s and public’s role and perspective in the research process; 
	
	
	Discuss the impact of women’s health research. 
	
 

The module is highly interactive, combining lectures, ‘flipped’ lectures, tutorials, e-learning and a range of peer and tutor-led research case-based discussions. Emphasis will be on connecting theory to practice across a diversity of women’s healthcare research challenges. There is an online discussion forum and flexibility within the module so that we can respond to your expressed research interests. 

Introductory Reading: 

Cresswell, JW (2008) Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, 3rd Edition. Sage London. 

Greenhalgh T. (2014) How to read a paper – the basics of evidence-based medicine. 5th Edition. BMJ Books, Wiley Blackwell, Oxford. 

Institute of Medicine. (2010). Women's health research: Progress, pitfalls, and promise. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/12908 