MRes Public Health (TBV)

This module covers the essentials of health protection and health improvement, which are considered two of the main domains of public health along with health surveillance and management, and leadership.

Health protection aims to prevent and manage communicable disease outbreaks by enhancing resilience in coping with emergencies and disasters, which also includes environmental diseases and those arising from climate change.

Health improvement initiatives aim to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals or communities through enabling and encouraging healthy choices as well as addressing underlying determinants of health. In this module you will be encouraged to explore the inter-relationship between the protection of public health and the improvement of public health through health promotion strategies.

The module will critically review techniques and strategies that are implemented nationally and internationally to both protect and improve health, and enable you to reflect on your own experiences and examine your own interests in this field of study. 

 Collecting, processing, and analysing data are fundamental research skills. Both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies require researchers to distil complex data into meaningful conclusions and it is important to achieve this through employing rigorous processes and techniques. This module will set learners on the path to scientific success by supporting the development of competencies such as the formulation of research ideas, the design of research studies that enable the collection and analysis of valid data whilst operating within the parameters of ethical principles.

Students will develop their analytical literacy, how to perform systematic and objective literature searches and reviews, to design robust methodologies and apply appropriate data analyses to test research questions. You will apply evaluate research papers and datasets, and develop an understanding of historical and current research using advanced statistical analyses. You will also learn about qualitative methodologies and apply their learning to analyse and interpret transcribed text in both practical and summative settings.

In this module you will design, conduct and evaluate an original research study within the field of Public Health. You will carry out a research investigation on a topic area within the field of your choosing, and you will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of relevant theoretical frameworks, research methodologies and applications for your chosen discipline. This module is the independent study element of your Masters Degree. The module is designed to be studied after or in conjunction with a research skills module where your research proposal is planned and assessed.