PHVIT9570 Needs Led Research Course description

This course adopts a basis and critical perspective of Needs Led Research. The process linked to the first step in the research pathway dealing with the identification and prioritization of research issues. Needs Led Research is characterized by two parallel processes; user involvement and identification and verification of evidence gaps by systematic searches in databases.

User involvement is characterized by processes in which users/stakeholders (eg patients, relatives, health workers) suggest, discuss, prioritize and agree on research questions they consider important. Several framework and methodologies for user involvement in research exist, of which the most relevant ones will be focused on in this course.

Identification and verification of evidence gaps, being the core of evidence-based research, is based on a systematic and transparent review of existing research in order to guide new studies in answering relevant and valid research questions. The course will focus on how to identify, verify and document evidence gaps by systematically searching the existing evidence.

The course will be run as a five-day course over a period of three months.

On completion of the course, the PhD candidate has achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The PhD candidate can

• critically asses the historic and cultural roots of midwifery in the context of the Nordic countries.
• critically assess and evaluate the application of theories and models for midwifery and maternity care.

Skills

The PhD candidate can

• identify and integrate conceptual and theoretical frameworks for midwifery into the student’s own research project.
• formulate and discuss complex issues, strengths and challenges of midwifery and maternity care in the Nordic context of high income and welfare societies.

Competences

The PhD candidate can

• communicate and take an active part in debates on theories and models in the context of the Nordic countries.

Work and teaching methods consist of lectures, self-study, group work and plenary discussions. A high degree of participants´ activity and involvement is expected.

None

Individual home examination, to be submitted no more than two weeks after the end of the course. The examination includes describing and discussing complex issues in midwifery, strengths and challenges in maternity care in the Nordic context of high income and welfare societies. Furthermore, explore the historic roots of midwifery and critically assess the relevant theories and models of care for research in midwifery from a Nordic, as well as international, perspective. The essay must be written in English and consist up to 5000 words.

All

Pass / Fail

One internal and one external examiner will assess the essays submitted by all candidates.

This course is aimed at PhD students admitted to the PhD Programme in Health Sciences and is also open to Nordic and international PhD students with a research project within the field. Admission requirements are a completed master's degree (120 ECTS credits) or equivalent qualification.

The course can also be offered to students who have been admitted to the "Health Science Research Programme, 60 ECTS", by prior approval from the supervisor and based on given guidelines for the research programme.

Admission requirements

This course is primarily aimed at PhD candidates admitted to the PhD Programme in Health Sciences but is also open to other applicants. Admission requirements are a completed hovedfag, master's degree (120 ECTS credits) or equivalent qualification.

The course can also be offered to students who have been admitted to the "Health Science Research Programme, 60 ECTS", by prior approval from the supervisor and based on given guidelines for the research programme.