Choosing a relevant topic and planning your research project PowerPoint presentation Unit 543: Undertake a research project within services for health and social care or children and young people Choosing a relevant topic and planning your research project

Learning Objectives To identify the area for the research topic (1.1) Develop the aims and objectives of the research project (1.2) Explain ethical considerations that apply to the area of the research project (1.3) Complete a literature review of chosen area of research (1.4)

Identifying the area for the research topic The first step in planning to undertake a new research project is to identify a relevant topic. To start thinking about this you might want to consider: something you have studied or learnt about that was exciting or interesting an issue you feel strongly about an innovation that interests you in your area of work and that will impact on your practice.

Activity 1 Please complete Activity 1, in which, with a partner, you should identify and discuss some possible research topics. Then share your ideas with the main group for discussion.

Narrowing down your aims and objectives Things to consider when narrowing down your topic: Is there is enough existing literature for you to gain insight into the topic? If not, you might want to reconsider you project topic. How might your research relate to your service’s future development?

Narrowing down your aims and objectives How might you narrow your topic to ensure it is manageable and also to prevent you from ‘going off track’? Come up with a research question that will serve as a constant reminder of your research projects overall purpose. How might your research question be phrased so that it is appropriate to your purpose?

Possible ideas from previous research projects How effective is the treatment of young offenders in preventing re-offending? Are UK schools doing enough to support children with dyslexia ? Does the access to a sensory room improve the well-being of people with dementia? Have lessons been learned from Safeguarding Serious Case Reviews? To what extent do lifestyle factors contribute to the development and treatment of Alzheimer’s?  A review of the effectiveness of a care assessment model on reducing admissions for respite care. An examination of the effectiveness of the use of CBT in treating general anxiety disorder. How can care services reduce the anxiety of carers?

Completing a literature review You will need to complete a literature review to inform your research project. This will help you to be aware of current research, theories and opinions regarding your topic. It will also help with analysis and discussion of your research findings later in the project. You will need to consider research from a variety of sources: Books and e-books Journals and e-journals Credible online sources (eg, Cochrane Library and NHS Choices). You will need to accurately take note of the sources used and reference these in a bibliography and reference list, using the Harvard style of referencing.

Completing a literature review Worksheet 1 Please spend 60 mins completing an online literature review on your chosen topic and discuss your findings with the group. Remember to make note of the sources used, as this will start to form part of your research project bibliography.

Ethical considerations When conducting primary research you need to take into consideration the ethical implications of your study. Informed consent Researchers should inform all participants of the objectives of the research and ensure that participants know the implications of their consent. Avoid harm Research should avoid risk of harm, either physical or psychological. This could also perhaps include risk of moral harm, especially when participants are young or vulnerable. Confidentiality Information is confidential to those directly involved in the study, and a guarantee of anonymity should be given to participants.

Ethical considerations Right to service This is more applicable to medical research, where researchers may wish to use some patients as ‘controls’ and therefore for example administer placebo treatment rather than authentic treatment and then compare the outcomes. It is unlikely to be an aspect of your Level 5 Diploma research. Integrity Students using primary research methods should always be mindful of the responsibilities that they have in protecting the integrity of the discipline and the institution that they are representing. (Walsh, 2001) Students should always discuss their proposed research topic and methodology with their line manager, and have this agreed in writing, prior to the start of their research.

Plenary Have we met our learning objectives? References Trochim, William M. (2006). The Research Methods Knowledge Base (online), accessed on 30 April 2016, http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/ Walsh, Mark (2001). Research Made Real: A Guide for Students. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes.

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