Psychiatric Research

Teaching staff: Dr James MacCabe
Module code: 7PAYJRME
Credit level: 7
Assessment:  written examination/s 

The educational aims of this module, which takes place in the first semester, are to provide an advanced understanding of methods and ethics in mental health research, an in depth practical knowledge of their application and of univariate statistical procedures. In addition the student will be able to critically appraise, disseminate and apply research findings.

By the end of this module students will understand: concepts underlying research and its application in mental health; ethical principles to be considered in designing and conducting research; the theory and application in Psychiatry of the following research methods; cross-sectional surveys, Case control studies, Cohort studies, Ecological and time-series studies, Clinical trials; issues concerning sampling and measurement in mental health research and the logistics of carrying out a research study; the theoretical basis for statistical analysis and its application in research. Students will also be proficient in: univariate statistical analyses, and be able to interpret stratified analysis and linear regression; critical appraisal of research reports.

Assessment is by two three-hour unseen written examinations, which each account for 50% of the final grade for this module. There is also a written assessment and critical appraisal at the end of the first term, which is mandatory but does not contribute to the final mark.

Module code: 7PAYR105
Credit level: 7

The educational aims of this module are to equip the student with an in depth understanding of, and ability to perform, complex statistical techniques (such as multivariate analyses, linear and logistic regression, Cox regression) and to develop an appreciation of the appropriate circumstances under which to apply these techniques.

By the end of the module the student will understand: the conceptual basis for multivariate analysis in epidemiological research, in particular concepts relating to causal pathways, confounding, mediation and effect modification; and be able to apply the following procedures in the analysis of epidemiological date: linear regression, ANOVA and generalised linear modelling; logistic regression; Cox proportional hazards modelling; the uses and conceptual basis for multi-level modelling and the techniques and packages available.

Assessment is by a 2500-word essay, which accounts for 50% of the final grade for this module.

Teaching staff: Prof Carmine M. Pariante
Module code: 7PAGRBBI
Credit level: 7
Assessment:  coursework 
Assessment is by a 2500-word essay, which accounts for 100% of the final grade for this module.

Educational Aims

-E xplore, in detail the biological substrates underlying the interaction between 'brain' and 'behaviour'
- Offer models to understand the differences and the similarities in the definitions of 'mind' and 'brain'
- Evaluate and find explanations for the bio-psycho-social aetiology of psychopathological symptoms
- Suggest valid research methods to study the mechanisms of brain function and its relationship with behaviour.

By the end of the module the student will have an advanced understanding of the principles underlying research methods in the following biological domains in Psychiatry:

1. Cellular models
2. Animal models
3. Neuropathological research
4. Neuroendocrinology
5. Neuroimaging
6. Genetic Research
7. Pharmacogenetics, psychopharmacology and pharmacoeconomics
8. Somatic therapies in Psychiatry

Teaching staff: Drs Alice Egerton and Paul Morrison 
Module code: 7PCSRCTP
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 15
Assessment:  coursework;  oral examination/s; 

• 1 X 1,500 word essay
• 1 X 15-min oral presentation

This module will introduce the fundamental principles of clinical trials, using real-life examples from psychiatric research. The lectures will describe methodological approaches and challenges in the design and implementation of clinical trials within psychiatry, and the impact of these trials on improving mental health. Students will be encouraged to critically appraise published clinical trials, and training will be given in assessing bias and applying principles of good clinical practice. Specific topics include types of clinical trial, different methodological approaches, the placebo effect, ethics and consent, trial regulation, the experience of patients, carers and clinical teams, data management and statistical analysis. The module will describe the most influential clinical trials in psychiatry, together with the current challenges and future directions for this area. The lectures will be written and presented by expert scientists and clinicians from the Institute of Psychiatry, often using examples taken from their own experience.

Module code: 7PAGRMMH
Credit level: 7

The educational aims of this module are to provide the student with an in-depth understanding of the history, principles and practice of measurement methodology in mental health research.

By the end of the module the student will:
1. understand in detail the historical development and current status of the concept of a case in mental health research, and how it is operationalised through internationally standardised diagnostic criteria and structured clinical assessments.
2. have an advanced understanding of what is meant by validity and reliability, and be able to (a) assess the psychometric credentials of a measure for use in a particular context and (b) devise suitable methods for establishing validity and reliability of a measure
3. be able to independently devise the structure a simple questionnaire
4. develop a detailed understanding of classical and IRT scaling theory, and be familiar with the essentials of developing and validating a new scale.

Assessment is by a 2500-word essay, which accounts for 100% of the final grade for this module.

Module code: 7PALMMEE
Credit level: 7

The educational aims of this module are to provide students with an introduction to health economics and in depth knowledge and the skills needed to critically appraise and design economic evaluations in the mental health field.

By the end of the module the student will be able to:
1. understand the theoretical underpinnings of economic evaluation
2. assess the relative strengths and limitations of the methods of economic evaluation
3. assess the appropriateness of alternative study designs and perspectives
4. understand the methods of identifying, measuring and valuing costs
5. understand the economic requirements for the measurement of outcomes
6. combine costs and outcomes so as to inform resource allocation decisions
7. understand the complexities of applying economic techniques to mental health care
8. critically appraise the strengths and weaknesses of published economic evaluations
9. design of economic evaluation for application in the mental health field

Assessment is by a 2500-word essay, which accounts for 100% of the final grade for this module.

Module code: 7PALMHSR
Credit level: 7

The educational aims of this module are to provide students with an in-depth knowledge and extended skills in mental health services research interventions, using the Medical Research Council Framework for Complex Health Interventions.

By the end of the module the student will be able to:
1. Understand the theoretical framework for undertaking mental health services research
2. Formulate a research question
3. Use electronic databases to identify relevant evidence
4. Define a 'model'
5. Develop testable models of complex interventions
6. Identify methods of investigating health service interventions
7. Develop a protocol for an exploratory trial
8. Differentiate between an exploratory trial and a definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT)
9. Develop a protocol for a definitive RCT
10. Describe the key components of an evidence-based approach to dissemination
11. Develop an evidence-based strategy for dissemination

Assessment is by a 2500-word essay, which accounts for 100% of the final grade for this module.

Teaching staff: Dr Paul Allen
Module code: 7PAGRNEU
Credit level: 7
Assessment:  coursework 
Assessment is by a 2500-word research proposal, which accounts for 100% of the final grade for this module.

Teaching staff: Dr Marta Di Forti
Module code: 7PAGRPSG
Credit level: 7
Assessment:  coursework 
Assessment is by a 2500-word essay, which accounts for 100% of the final grade for this module.

Module code: 7PALMQVA
Credit level: 7

The educational aims of this module are to provide students with an in depth understanding of qualitative research and skills needed to design, conduct and analyse qualitative research in the mental health field. The approach will be pragmatic, drawing on research studies conducted by the course tutors.

By the end of the module the student will be able to understand and apply:
1. the complementary roles of qualitative and quantitative methods of enquiry
2. the strengths of the qualitative approach to understanding beliefs and behaviours from the subjects' perspective
3. the main qualitative methods of data collection applicable to mental health services research
4. how to apply these methods to developing and evaluating mental health services
5. methods of qualitative data analysis, including practical use of computer software
6. dissemination of findings
7. critical appraisal of qualitative research

Assessment is by a 2500-word essay, which account for 100% of the final grade for this module.

Module code: 7PALMSYS
Credit level: 7

This module provides students with an advanced understanding and practical knowledge of systematic reviews, and the problems and limitations associated with this type of research method. The course will focus on systematic review procedures for intervention studies, particularly RCTs, although reviews of other types of study design will be discussed.

By the end of the module the student will be able to: understand the reasons for doing a systematic review; formulate questions appropriate for systematic reviews; develop a protocol for a systematic review; design and undertake comprehensive searches for relevant studies; critically appraise studies for inclusion in a systematic review; understand the potential impact of strengths and weaknesses of studies in a systematic review; understand how data can be used in meta-analyses; understand the role and work of the Cochrane Collaboration; produce a publication standard protocol for a systematic review; prepare a full systematic review.

Assessment is by a 2,500-word essay, which accounts for 100% of the final grade for this module.

Teaching staff: 

Dr Sagnik Bhattacharyya

Module code: 7PCSRTRP
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 15
Assessment:  coursework;  oral examination/s; 

• 1 X 1,500 word essay
• 1 X 15-min oral presentation