VETERINARY RESEARCH 2: CRITICAL APPRAISAL, DATA INTERPRETATION AND STUDY DESIGN - 2025/6
Module code: VMS3013
Module Overview
This module provides an opportunity for students to participate in a project and develop and apply research methods that are applicable for supporting life-long learning in the veterinary profession.
Module provider
School of Veterinary Medicine
Module Leader
MAILE Charlotte (Vet Med)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 6
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 117
Lecture Hours: 8
Tutorial Hours: 6
Practical/Performance Hours: 19
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
This module provides learning and teaching in clinical research methods and the application of research data analysis and interpretation. This is put into the context of evidence based veterinary medicine.
- Knowledge summary: PICO question construction.
- Common mistakes in scientific writing.
- Writing a research proposal
- Making decisions about therapy, diagnosis, aetiology/harm and prognosis
- Quality improvement and EBVM in practice
- Journal club: critical analysis of relevant scientific publications.
- Statistics workshops.
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Oral exam or presentation | Research proposal | 20 |
| Coursework | Research project: Knowledge Summary | 40 |
| Examination | Written examination (90 mins) | 40 |
Alternative Assessment
Research proposal: The student will complete an individual written assignment aligned to the original group topic but with a reduced scope.
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate theoretical, practical, and applied knowledge across the module. Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
1. Research proposal Group presentation assignment, 20%, (addressing learning outcomes:1-8)
2. Research project: Knowledge summary Individual written assignment, 40% (addressing learning outcomes: 4, 7)
3. Written examination Individual examination, 40% (addressing learning outcomes 1-8) To pass the module, students are required to achieve a weighted aggregate mark of 50% across all assessments.
Formative assessment- Students will be provided with a practice written exam paper.
Feedback- Students will receive verbal feedback during the group presentation sessions associated with Research proposal assessments. Students will also receive feedback via workshops, Q & A sessions and discussion forums
Module aims
- Provide an opportunity for students to participate in a project that will enable them to demonstrate their abilities to apply research methods and communicate the outcomes.
- Provide an opportunity for students to critically evaluated scientific papers.
- Assess the application of research data analysis and interpretation
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Ref | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Develop and define an appropriate research hypothesis or question | KPT | RCVS 10 |
| 002 | Identify, evaluate and apply appropriate research methodology. | CKPT | RCVS 6, 26 |
| 003 | Demonstrate a capacity for independent research both personally and as a team member. | PT | RCVS 5, 14, 19 |
| 004 | Apply appropriate techniques for the analysis of research results. | KPT | RCVS 3, 11 |
| 005 | Interpret and discuss research finding in the appropriate professional and scientific context. | KPT | RCVS 11, 12, 14, 17, 20 |
| 006 | Collate and present research findings in written, visual and/or oral format. | KPT | RCVS 17, 20 |
| 007 | Define the scope of a research project through appropriate review and analysis of published literature | CKPT | RCVS 3 |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
- Enable the module learning outcomes to be achieved through guidance provided by lectures, facilitator feedback, peer discussion and self-directed experiential learning through the completion of a research project (Knowledge summary).
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: VMS3013
Other information
The School of Veterinary Medicine is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:
Employability: This module fosters the development of a range of non-technical graduate attributes which are integral to the RCVS Day One competences including communication, legislation and ethics to prepare students for a professional workplace. Through individual research projects, students are able to develop critical thinking, communication skills, decision-making and collaboration. The assessment strategy requires students to demonstrate research skills, use of digital tools and application of knowledge acquired across the topics within the context of veterinary research.
Digital Capabilities: Throughout the module, students are required to utilize digital technology, including accessing the library databases for literature evaluation, use of referencing software, use of statistical analysis software and creating a scientific paper.
Global and Cultural Capabilities: Within this module, individual research projects provide opportunities to collaborate, communicate and build relationships with people from different backgrounds and senior professionals within the veterinary field.
Resourcefulness and Resilience: This module teaches and encourages reflective engagement, collaboration and active learning through self-directed activities, facilitator meetings and individual research projects. The assessments challenge and stretch students and are geared towards promoting resourcefulness and resilience. Students are guided to optimize feedback opportunities, to reflect thoughtfully and in a structured manner on learning and experiences, and to respond flexibly to challenges throughout the module, thus enhancing their resilience and resourcefulness.
Sustainability: Veterinary students will develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes needed to work, live and lead in a way that meets the current needs of the profession without compromising on the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Medicine and Science BVMSci (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.