RESEARCH CREDIT 4 – UNDERSTANDING PUBLISHED RESEARCH IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE (RESEARCH METHODS)
The purpose of this credit is for you to be able to demonstrate your ability to assess examples of published research within the field of health and social care, by utilising your knowledge of research methodologies.
Assignment protocol
Your assignment should have a front cover with the title, and a Contents page. Number each of the 6 questions, and annotate each one. As appropriate, you need to clearly state which pieces of research you are discussing, and include a bibliography at the end of your assignment. The bibliography should include any citations, any material you have read to assist you in completing the assignment and the research extracts that you have referred to.
Questions

1. Explain the difference between ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ data. Using 1 example of each, evaluate when it might be appropriate to undertake and use primary research, and when secondary research; giving reasons why? (Criterion 2.1)
2. Explain the difference between qualitative and quantitative data. Give 1 example of each using the health and social care research abstracts reproduced on Moodle. (Criterion 1.1)
3. Evaluate the main research methods available to health and social care researchers, ensuring that you differentiate between ‘primary’ methods and ‘secondary’ methods. (Criterion 2.1)
4. Select a published health or social care study from the research abstracts on Moodle, and examine and justify how the method used was selected. NB You may use a study that you have previously referred to for question 2. (Criterion 2.2)
5. Using 2 examples from the research abstracts on Moodle, explain the ethical considerations that need to be determined when undertaking research. Again, you will be referring to studies that you have written about for questions 2 and 4. (Criterion 3.1)
6. Choose 1 of the studies from the research abstracts on Moodle. Evaluate its ‘validity’ and make suggestions for improvements to the research methodology used. (Criterion 4.1)
   NOTE: To save paper, you do not need to include a copy of each of the abstracts that you have used for your assignment. A copy of each abstract will be made available to the Examiner should she wish to view them.
   The assignment should be 2,000 words (+/- 10%) and a word count included at the end of your work.
   Demonstrates excellent understanding of different perspectives or approaches associated with the area of study.
   To achieve a Distinction:
   Performance:
   Taken as a whole demonstrates an excellent response to the demands of the brief/assignment.
   For a Distinction in addition to the above you should: (i) Demonstrate use of technical terms relating to research methodology [GD1]. (ii) You should evaluate at least 4 methods of primary research and 5 methods of secondary research [GD11]. (iii) You will be expected to use the Harvard system of referencing and bibliography accurately for your secondary research sources [GD7]. (iv)
   ADD Font/size: 12, Times New Romain. Page of content, Havard references, word count, numbering page, justify. Please follow more instructions into the assignment brief I upload the files into additional materials including they abstract to complete this coursework. Max words count 2200.