What will I learn on this module?
The main purpose of research within healthcare is to ultimately have a positive impact on patient care and/or health outcomes, but what is impact and how can it be measured? This module will help you to evaluate the whole concept of impact and influence within health research. The module will start by examining impact, i.e. what it means and how it can be measured at multiple levels within health and social care. You will have the opportunity to review impact case studies and critically debate with your peers the elements that determine the greatest impact and influence on clinical practice. You will critically appraise your role as an insider researcher and be able to recognise how your role will influence your research, from developing your research question to dissemination and impact of your findings. Ensuring you have the necessary time and resources is critical in conducting a successful research project and so within the module you will examine the importance of research funding, identifying funding opportunities and developing grant applications. You will explore methods on how to promote your research, including examining the use of technologies and benefits of networking. Dissemination is a vital part of your research and you will critically explore why and how to disseminate your finding. As part of this you will also develop practical skills around producing abstracts and posters, delivering oral presentations and writing for publication. Finally, you will explore different research career pathways and examine the opportunities and challenges these different roles may bring. This module will enable you to develop life-long learning skills that will benefit
your future research projects and research career pathway.
How will I learn on this module?
A variety of different approaches to learning and teaching are used on this module to ensure that students’ different student learning styles are taken into account. E-lectures and formal lectures provide the underpinning knowledge and theory. In seminars you will use Enquiry Based Learning (EBL) to work with your colleagues to discuss topics and to find answers to challenging questions. This module also contains a number of practical workshop sessions where you will work through exercises in small groups using authentic scenarios based on health research. Digitally recorded clips from suitable websites will be used to support authentic learning and a series of formative activities will help support the summative material to be submitted at the end of the module. This module is supported with materials on eLP where you will find all your teaching materials and additional information to help you learn. You can listen again to key lectures which have been recorded and are stored on the electronic platform. In addition, the electronic reading lists will highlight to you the texts that will be of use in supporting your journey on this module.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
The lecturers on this module will provide you with academic support. You will be allocated to a supervisor who will provided tutorial support for your summative assessment. You will also receive information about the module via email and resources, including assessment information, will be available via the e-learning portal. Additional study support is available from Ask 4 Help (on-line or face to face staff support), and library and study skills resources can be accessed within the library and via the library homepage.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will appreciate the influence research has on 'real world' contexts.
2. You will evaluate research influence through impact analysis.
Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:
1. You will demonstrate effective communication of research outputs to influence and improve future healthcare developments.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
1. You will critically evaluate collaboration and feedback from stakeholders to aid planning of future developments.
2. You will investigate and evaluate wider research and personal career development opportunities.
How will I be assessed?
Formative Assessment
In peer groups, you will evaluate an impact case study report and determine the quality of the impact. Verbal feedback will be given
(MLOs K&U 1 and 2)
Summative Assessment
Fifteen Minute presentation of a 1,000 word E-Poster followed by a ten minute viva:- Visual Presentation with Expert Review (ViPER) on the potential impact on clinical practice following the students chosen research proposal
Following full guidance expert and peer oral and written feedback will be provided using standardised criteria
Individual feedback will be provided in written form.
(MLOs K&U 1,2, IPSA 1, PVA 2, 3, 4).
Pre-requisite(s)
None
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
How do we ensure that results from research conducted within health or social care actually have an impact within clinical practice? This is a very ‘hands on’ module where you will explore the concept of impact and influence, which can then be translated to your own area of clinical research. You will analyse and appraise topics that contribute to impact and influence within health and social care research and understand the influence you have as an insider researcher. You will have the opportunities to develop practical skills to support impact and influence in areas such as grant development, promoting your research and dissemination. You will also have the opportunity to explore the different research career pathways that are open to you. This module will enable you to develop life-long learning skills that will benefit not only your future research projects and also your research career pathway.
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 2 years Part Time
Department Nursing, Midwifery & Health
Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
Useful Links
Find out about our distinctive approach at
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp
Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms
Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees
Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy
Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints
