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What is Health Research?

Sarah Cluderay, John Castledine, Ruth Wallbank, Keith Wilson, Paul Cross, Helen Cooke, Alan G. Richardson, and Becci Jennings

What is the value of Health Research? How can you make an informed decision about taking part? Being part of research Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more If you’re interested in taking part in health research or discovering how to get involved in supporting health research, this course will help to answer your questions before you make the decision. You can use the hashtag #FLHealthResearch to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Read more

What is the value of Health Research? How can you make an informed decision about taking part? Being part of research Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more If you’re interested in taking part in health research or discovering how to get involved in supporting health research, this course will help to answer your questions before you make the decision. You can use the hashtag #FLHealthResearch to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

  • What is research?
  • Different types of research
  • Why do people get involved in health research?
  • What can you expect?
  • How are people kept safe and informed during health research?
  • Why health research is exciting
  • How can you contribute?
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Reviews summary

Accessible introduction to health research

According to students, 'What is Health Research?' is a highly accessible introduction for those new to the field or considering participation. Learners praise its ability to demystify complex topics, with clear and concise explanations and engaging instructors. The content is well-structured, covering vital aspects like patient safety and ethical considerations without overwhelming jargon. While exceptionally valuable for the general public and patients, some with prior science or medical backgrounds found the course too basic, seeking greater academic depth or more interactive elements.
The course features well-produced and easy-to-follow materials.
"The content was well-structured and the videos were easy to follow. The instructors were engaging."
"The course is well-produced, and the quizzes helped reinforce learning. The clarity is a strong point."
"Learned so much! ... this course presented it in an accessible format. Very well done by the University of Leeds."
Perfectly suited for individuals new to health research or patients.
"As someone new to the field, I found the explanations easy to understand and the examples highly relevant."
"It's perfect for anyone with no prior knowledge. I'd recommend it for general public."
"Fantastic resource for understanding health research from a patient perspective. I feel much more informed and empowered."
Provides an exceptionally clear and jargon-free introduction.
"This course provides such a clear and concise overview of health research. As someone new to the field, I found the explanations easy to understand..."
"Excellent course for demystifying health research! ...provided all the answers without overwhelming me with jargon."
"The content was well-structured and the videos were easy to follow. It really demystified the process for me."
Not suitable for those seeking advanced or academic content.
"If you have any medical background, you might find parts of it repetitive or too simplistic."
"I was hoping for a bit more depth on research methodologies, but it sticks to the 'what is' rather than 'how to'."
"I was looking for something that would help me with my university studies in public health, and this felt more like a general interest course."

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Learners who complete What is Health Research? will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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Focused on the practical skill of writing grant proposals for health research, this book is highly relevant for those seeking funding. It provides a step-by-step guide and tips for crafting competitive proposals. This is particularly useful for graduate students and working professionals.
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Delivering an exploration of statistics in applied health science and biostatistics, this book focuses on the correct use and interpretation of statistics. It covers various statistical concepts and methods relevant to health research. It is suitable for upper undergraduate and graduate levels and serves as a reference for practitioners.
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Time
9 hours
Via
FutureLearn
Institutions
University of Leeds
National Institute for Health Research
Instructors
Sarah Cluderay
John Castledine
Ruth Wallbank
Keith Wilson
Paul Cross
Helen Cooke
Alan G. Richardson
Becci Jennings
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