Module Specification
An online version of this specification is available to prospective students at
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section3_moduledescript/in
dex.html
GENERAL INFORMATION
Module name
Proposal Development
Module code
1702
Module Organisers
Dr Oliver Groene and Dr Jan van der Meulen
Contact email
Oliver.Groene@lshtm.ac.uk or Jan.vanderMeulen@lshtm.ac.uk
Home Faculty
Faculty of Public Health & Policy
Level
This module is at Level 7 (postgraduate Masters ‘M’ level) of the QAA
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales & Northern
Ireland (FHEQ).
Credit
LSHTM award 15 credits on successful completion of this module.
Accreditation
Not currently accredited by any other body.
Keywords
Research, epidemiology, statistics, quantitative methods, qualitative methods,
economic evaluation, planning and programming
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
To enable students to prepare a research proposal that meets the requirements
of a funding organisation.
Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
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Target audience
Formulate a question that can be answered by a research project;
Set explicit objectives for the proposed project in the context of current
knowledge;
Justify a study design and method of analysis that is valid, feasible, ethically
acceptable, and efficient;
Design the practical procedures and draw up time table;
Estimate the necessary financial resources;
Compose a detailed written proposal or grant application;
Review and critically reflect on the validity and appropriateness of a
research proposal.
This module is intended for students interested in health services/systems
research in developed and developing countries.
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CONTENT
Session content
The module is expected to include sessions addressing the following topics:
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Formulating an answerable question in the context of current knowledge;
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Selecting appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods (sampling
techniques, data collections, required sample size, and methods of
analysis);
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Making a detailed plan for all practical activities;
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Determine the resources required.
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
Reader, example research protocols, tutorial sessions.
Teaching and learning
methods
During this module, the students will work on a proposal for a research project.
Students need to have found a topic for this research project before the start of
the module. General concepts and principles will be presented in five lectures
that are scheduled in the first two weeks of the module. Students will discuss in
groups led by a seminar leader their progress in the development of their own
protocol.
To provide the students with practical examples, there will be presentations of
proposals that were developed in the module in previous years. The students
will evaluate each other's work (peer review), the results of which can be used
to improve the final proposals.
Assessment details
Each student will be required to submit a research proposal for assessment.
This assignment will be used to evaluate the student’s ability to frame a
research question (10 marks), set explicit objectives (20 marks), select and
justify an appropriate design and method of analysis (20 marks), and plan
practical procedures and draw up a time table (10 marks). When marking these
components we will assess whether the structure is clear and logical, whether
information is presented in a succinct manner, whether explicit arguments are
given for design choices and whether the proposal demonstrates a critical
approach with respect to methods and theory that underpins it. An extra 20
marks will be assigned for the general quality of the proposal (strength of
arguments, clarity of text and lay out). The final 20 marks will be awarded for
the quality of the peer review reports.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the task will be to correct and revise the work from their original proposal.
Assessment dates
The critical appraisal of a scientific proposal needs to be handed in on a date
TBC; peer-review reports are due on TBC. The deadline for handing in the final
proposal is TBC.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the next assessment deadline will be the standard School-recommended date in
mid/late September 2016.
Language of study and
assessment
English (please see ‘English language requirements’ below regarding the
standard required for entry).
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TIMING AND MODE OF STUDY
Duration
The module runs for 5 weeks at 2.5 days per week; this module runs between
Wednesday lunchtime and Friday afternoon.
Dates
For 2015-16, the module will start on Wednesday 20 April 2016 and finish on
Friday 20 May 2016.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot E.
Mode of Study
The module is taught face-to-face in London. Both full-time and part-time
students follow the same schedule. For full-time students, other LSHTM
modules are available in the other half of the week for the C and D slots.
Learning time
The notional learning time for the module totals 150 hours, consisting of:
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Contact time ≈ 24 hours
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Directed self-study ≈ 58 hours
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Self-directed learning ≈ 38 hours
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Assessment, review and revision ≈ 30 hours
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
Students attending this course will be expected to have taken Reviewing the
Literature (1701) module.
English language
requirements
A strong command of the English language is necessary to benefit from
studying the module. Applicants whose first language is not English or whose
prior university studies have not been conducted wholly in English must fulfil
LSHTM’s English language requirements, with an acceptable score in an
approved test taken in the two years prior to entry. Applicants may be asked to
take a test even if the standard conditions have been met.
Student numbers
Student numbers are typically 20 per year; numbers may be capped due to
limitations in facilities or staffing.
Student selection
Preference will be given to LSHTM MSc students, particularly those registered
for specific courses or who have taken specific prior modules, where
applicable, and LSHTM research degree students. Other applicants meeting the
entry criteria will usually be offered a place in the order applications are
received, until any cap on numbers is reached. Applicants may be placed on a
waiting list and given priority the next time the module is run.
Full Registration (full participation) by LSHTM research degree students is
required for this module.
Fees
For registered LSHTM MSc students, fees for the module are included within
MSc fees (given on individual course prospectus pages).
If registering specifically for this module, as a stand-alone short course,
individual module fees will apply.
Tuition fees must be paid in full before commencing the module, or by any fee
deadline set by the Registry.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not available for individual modules. Some potential sources
of funding are detailed on the LSHTM website.
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Admission deadlines
For 2015-16:
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For registered LSHTM MSc students, the module choice deadline (for Term
2 and 3 modules) is Friday 20 November 2015.

If registering specifically for this module, applications may be made at any
time but, as places are limited, applications ahead of the MSc deadline are
strongly advised. All applications should be submitted at the latest 8 weeks
prior to the start of the module. Formal registration will take place on the
morning of the first day of the module.
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
This module specification applies for the academic year 2015-16
Last revised 10 July 2014 by Oliver Groene; Minor amendments 20 July 15 SDB
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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