MD3008 Essay Assignment: Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods in Healthcare

Research Project Part B

ESSAY ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

1. Your assignment is to write a short critical and analytical essay on one of the three topics listed. The purpose of the essay is to use the ideas, tools, and readings from the module to demonstrate your understanding and provide insights into the chosen topic.
2. Importantly, this is not a research paper. A good essay will make original arguments using tables, diagrams, and sensible analysis. It will not just string together quotes from researched sources. A good strategy is to start by thinking of the assignment as an open-note (but not open-book) and to then outline what arguments you would make and how you would organize such an essay.
3. Your essay should focus on the utility of the topic. When you have come up with an outline of your essay, you should look over your arguments and ask yourself whether an informed reader could understand the topic under discussion and that there is a recognisable flow to the content you have constructed. If not, you may need to reformulate your essay.
4. This is a writing assignment. Your paper should be clearly written, concise, and well organised, and free of spelling and grammar errors. The grading will be based on both the quality of your analysis and the quality of your writing.
5. While your paper should provide a balanced assessment of the pros and cons of the topic, it should come to a clear recommendation about whether your argument should be adopted and explain why.
6. You should write the paper at a level appropriate for someone who has taken this module. You can assume that the reader is knowledgeable and has familiarity with the chosen topic.
7. Your paper should cite its sources appropriately. The usual format in Paramedicine is to cite a source referenced in the text with a parenthetical such as (Hausman 2016). If you quote directly from a source (consider if paraphrasing is more appropriate), the short quotation should be in quotation marks and you should provide the page number—for example, (Hausman 2016, p. 1106). Your bibliography should then give the full references. You must use the Harvard format for the bibliographical information.
   

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8. Mechanics:
   • Word count is 2000 words +/- 10% – does not include the cover page, reference or references page.
   • Follow Harvard referencing throughout the literature review and on the references page.
   • The entire document should be double-spaced.
   • The font should be Calibri or Times New Roman in size 12.
   • The margins should be set to ‘normal’ when using MS Word.
   • Do not apply borders anywhere on the document or add logos or images to the cover page.
   • Do not add anything to the provided cover sheet. You are required to amend the coversheet to add your name, student number and word count.
   • The footer must include the page number only. Do not place you name anywhere other than on the first page of the summitted assignment.
   • Submitted files shall be word documents only. .docx. PDF versions will not be accepted.

TOPICS

Write on one of the following three topics.

1. Strengths and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research methods in Healthcare
2. Combining qualitative and quantitative research methods in health research
3. Considerations and processes when conducting research in healthcare settings