MSc Psychiatric Research Handbook

Department of Psychological Medicine & Psychiatry

Psychiatric Research Student Handbook 2009/10

To be used in conjunction with myCampus Denmark Hill

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Contents

WELCOME TO THE PROGRAMME ............................................................................................................ 5 ABOUT KING'S COLLEGE LONDON ......................................................................................................... 6

GRADUATE SCHOOL............................................................................................................................................ 6

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF PSYCHIATRY................................................................................................. 6 TAUGHT PROGRAMMES ....................................................................................................................................... 6 RESEARCH........................................................................................................................................................... 6 OUR GRADUATE ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................................................... 7 LIBRARIES........................................................................................................................................................... 7 DEPARTMENT OF BIOSTATISTICS ........................................................................................................................ 7 DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTING AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT ....................................................................... 7

ABOUT THE PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH PROGRAMME............................................................................. 7 KEY CONTACTS .................................................................................................................................................. 8 MODE OF ATTENDANCE....................................................................................................................................... 8 PROGRAMME OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................................... 8

Elective modules: ............................................................................................................................................. 8 PROGRAMME AIMS & OBJECTIVES ..................................................................................................................... 8 PROGRAMME STRUCTURE ................................................................................................................................... 9 PROGRAMME COMMITTEE ......................................................................................................................................... 9 CALENDAR 2009/2010 ...................................................................................................................................... 10 TIMETABLE (CORE PROGRAMME) 2009/2010 ................................................................................................... 10 TIMETABLE (SPECIALIST STUDY UNITS) 2009/10 ......................................................................................................... 13

MODULES DESCRIPTIONS ..................................................................................................................... 14 CORE MODULE: RESEARCH METHODS, ETHICS AND STATISTICS IN MENTAL HEALTH.......................................................... 14 BLOCK A: MEASUREMENT IN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES .............................................................................................. 15 BLOCK A: SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY ................................................................................................................................ 16 BLOCK A: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW IN MENTAL HEALTH..................................................................................................... 17 BLOCK B: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS ............................................................................................................ 18 BLOCK B: STATISTICAL METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY.................................................................................. 19 BLOCK B: PSYCHIATRIC GENETICS ........................................................................................................................... 20 BLOCK C: BRAIN-BEHAVIOUR INTERFACE................................................................................................................... 21 BLOCK C: MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH: THEORY TO PRACTICE........................................................................ 22 BLOCK D: MENTAL HEALTH ECONOMIC EVALUATION .................................................................................................... 23 BLOCK D: INTERNATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH ............................................................................................................... 24 BLOCK D: NEUROIMAGING....................................................................................................................................... 25 DISSERTATION IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH ................................................................................................................ 26

LEARNING AND SUPPORT FOR LEARNING ........................................................................................... 27 ATTENDANCE........................................................................................................................................................ 27 ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL TUTORIAL SUPPORT ................................................................................................ 27 ESSAY WRITING AND EXAMINATIONS................................................................................................................ 27 DISSERTATION SUPERVISION ................................................................................................................................... 28 REFERENCING ...................................................................................................................................................... 28 ENGLISH LANGUAGE SUPPORT ......................................................................................................................... 28

COURSEWORK & DISSERTATION .......................................................................................................... 29 COURSEWORK ...................................................................................................................................................... 29 DISSERTATION .................................................................................................................................................. 29 SUBMISSION DEADLINES FOR COURSEWORK AND DISSERTATION.................................................................................... 30 ASSESSMENT..................................................................................................................................................... 30

Assessment Methods .................................................................................................................................... 30 Assessment Weighting ................................................................................................................................. 31 Assessment Criteria ..................................................................................................................................... 31

CRITERIA FOR MARKING RESEARCH DISSERTATION: ........................................................................................ 31

EXAMINATIONS...................................................................................................................................... 32

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MARKING STRUCTURE............................................................................................................................................ 32 EXAMINATION BOARD ...................................................................................................................................... 32

STUDENT FEEDBACK & REPRESENTATION .......................................................................................... 34 QUESTIONNAIRES.............................................................................................................................................. 34 PROGRAMME COMMITTEE................................................................................................................................. 34 STUDENTS FORUM ........................................................................................................................................... 34 KINGS COLLEGE LONDON STUDENTS UNION ................................................................................................. 34 EDUCATION SUPPORT TEAM (SCHOOL OFFICE) ................................................................................................ 34 PERSONAL TUTORS ........................................................................................................................................... 34

ADVICE .................................................................................................................................................. 35 STUDENT ADVICE AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT ............................................................................ 35 COUNSELLING ................................................................................................................................................... 35 KINGS COLLEGE LONDON STUDENTS UNION ................................................................................................. 35 CAREERS ADVICE ............................................................................................................................................. 36 CODE OF CONDUCT ........................................................................................................................................... 37 EQUALITY & DIVERSITY ................................................................................................................................... 37 EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES .......................................................................................................................................... 37 STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES .......................................................................................................................... 38 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE................................................................................................................................... 38 HEALTH AND SAFETY ....................................................................................................................................... 38

COLLEGE REGULATIONS ...................................................................................................................... 39 APPENDIX 1 MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES & REQUESTS FOR A BOARD OF EXAMINERS TO REVIEW ITS DECISION ......................................................................................................................................... 40 APPENDIX 2 COLLEGE STATEMENT ON PLAGIARISM AND RELATED FORMS OF CHEATING ........... 44 APPENDIX 3 AWARD SCHEME & CREDIT FRAMEWORK ..................................................................... 45 APPENDIX 4 AWARD GRANTING POWERS ......................................................................................... 46 APPENDIX 5 THE HARVARD REFERENCING SYSTEM ......................................................................... 47

APPENDIX 6 NOTABLE DATES AND RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS .............................................................. 49 APPENDIX 7 BIBLIOGRAPHY / RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND JOURNALS ........................................... 50

This booklet can also be provided in alternative

formats such as large print, tape and on disk

upon request to the Education Support Team.

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Welcome to the Programme

Welcome to the Psychiatric Research Programme. This handbook is designed with you in mind and you should find here most of the information you will need for the coming academic year. The handbook includes details of the programme and modules you will be following as well as information about student welfare and other services offered by King College London. At Postgraduate level we expect students to take responsibility for their studies, so please make sure you familiarise yourselves with the programme details and assessment regulations.

We also suggest you consult the main Kings College London website http://www.kcl.ac.uk where you will find a section for current postgraduate students. Similarly, the Institute of Psychiatry (IoP) website is a useful resource (http://www.iop.kcl.ac.uk) offering information and advice in pages aimed at current taught students. The Whats On link is also worth checking regularly, as it lists forthcoming events such as seminars, lectures and conferences, most of which are open to students.

You will spend most of your time at the Denmark Hill Campus, which has excellent learning and teaching facilities. For more information on the facilities available at Denmark Hill please refer to myCampus, which you will find in your enrolment pack; additional copies can be requested from the Education Support Team. All students are automatically entitled to use facilities at the other campuses including all libraries throughout King's College London.

Studying at Postgraduate level is stimulating and rewarding but it can also be challenging and demanding. Our aim is to support you in your studies and you will be assigned a personal tutor who you should meet at least once a term. Dont forget that other students can also be a valuable source of mutual intellectual and social support; study groups and reading groups, for example, are good ways to share ideas and experiences and get to know fellow students.

Whilst we expect you to take your studies seriously, we also hope that you will take full advantage of the galleries, museums and cultural life that London has to offer. We are fortunate to have good transport links to many places of interest, including the Tate Modern, South Bank, National Theatre, Royal Festival Hall, the Millennium Bridge and Shakespeares Globe Theatre, all of which can be reached by train or bus. At Denmark Hill you are a short train journey away from Southwark Cathedral and on Fridays and Saturdays Borough High Street plays host to one of the biggest and best food markets in the UK. The interesting shops, cafes and theatres of Covent Garden and the West End are only a bus ride away and there are lots of good cafs, pubs and places to eat near the campus.

Finally, we hope that you enjoy your time on the Psychiatric Research Programme. Studying can and should be a pleasurable, interesting experience and we wish you every success on your chosen programme.

Jane Boydell Programme Leader

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About King's College London www.kcl.ac.uk

Kings College London is one of Europes foremost research universities, with an outstanding reputation for teaching and research.

One of the two founding colleges of the University of London, Kings has four campuses within a square mile on the banks of the Thames in central London and one at Denmark Hill, south London. Based in London Europes knowledge capital Kings students have access to an unrivalled concentration of libraries, museums and research institutes.

With 19,700 students and 5,000 staff, the College offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in nine schools: Institute of Psychiatry, Biomedical and Health Sciences; the Dental Institute; Humanities; Law; Medicine; Nursing & Midwifery; Physical Sciences and Engineering; Social Science and Public Policy.

Graduate School www.kcl.ac.uk/graduate/school

The College has a central Graduate School, based at Waterloo Campus, whose remit is to support current students through network events, a graduate skills development programme, information sharing, funding opportunities and career progression. The Graduate School website is an invaluable resource for current events and details of how to access the skills development programme; please contact [email protected] for more information.

About the Institute of Psychiatry www.iop.kcl.ac.uk

The Institute of Psychiatry (IoP) is a global leader in teaching and research in the sciences relevant to mental health. Our work encompasses almost the entire range of disciplines required to understand the causes of mental disorders, to develop new treatments, and to evaluate their implementation at patient level, as well as at the level of services and national health and social care policies.

As a student at the Institute of Psychiatry you will be immersed in a vibrant, interdisciplinary research culture. You will mix with senior staff and fellow students working in complementary fields on a day-to-day basis, in seminars, lectures and, informally, in places like the caf diner. We have strong connections to the South London and Maudsley Foundation NHS Trust; many of our academics are involved daily in the care of patients and we consult patient representatives about planning and design of research.

Taught programmes Graduate programmes are taught in relatively small student groups, encouraging specialist knowledge in topics related to psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience, developing students for careers as clinicians, therapists, researchers and educators. We offer an exceptionally wide range of programmes covering subjects such as clinical psychology, neuroscience, cognitive behavioural therapies, addiction and forensic mental health. Close contact occurs between staff and students throughout the programmes, which enables students to become part of the dialogue of their chosen discipline.

Research The quality of our research has been recognised by our achievement of the highest 5* rating at the last two Research Assessment Exercises and our academics rank among the most influential researchers, nationally and internationally. Research is divided into the following departments: Biostatistics & Computing Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Forensic Mental Health Science Health Service & Population Research Clinical Neuroscience Neuroscience Psychological Medicine & Psychiatry Psychology Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry

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Our graduate environment The Institute of Psychiatry has recently undergone major refurbishment work, extending the purpose-designed, specialist research facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories.

Four exciting new centres have opened recently, the CCBB (Centre for Cellular Basis of Behaviour), the MRC Neurodegeneration & Clinical Neuroscience Centre, the Psychosis Centre and a Centre for Forensic Mental Health, along with newly refurbished facilities for Biostatistics and Epidemiology.

Libraries http://www.kcl.ac.uk/iss/library

As students of the Institute of Psychiatry, students on the Psychiatric Research Programme have access to the Institutes library and Weston Education Centre, at the Denmark Hill Campus, and to libraries at other Kings College London campuses. In addition, Information Services and Systems (ISS) offers a range of services to students including those delivered through Public Access Workstations Service (PAWS). You will be offered information retrieval training sessions during the first term to help you improve your searching skills.

The library is the largest psychiatric library in Western Europe, holding 3000 print journal titles, 550 of which are current subscriptions. We have access to over 13,000 electronic journals, 38,000 books, and CD-ROM/video training materials. Any items not held can usually be requested via a rapid inter-library lending service. Ample seating for readers is available on three floors of the library and facilities for online computer-based literature searches are provided, as are microform readers and photocopiers. Training is offered free to library members on the use of data-bases and electronic information sources. You are advised to make use of this vast resource whenever possible.

A number of special collections are housed in the library, including items formerly belonging to key figures in the historical development of British Psychiatry. The manuscript collections and the Guttman-Maclay collection of psychopathological art are housed in the archives building of the Bethlem Royal Hospital.

All students are automatically entitled to membership of all the libraries of King's College London, including the nearby King's College Hospital library, which holds general medical literature. Students are also able to join the University of London Library. This membership provides further access to a number of special collections, including the British Psychological Society Library and the library of the Royal Statistical Society. Access may be arranged, if required, to as many as sixty-two other specialised libraries within the University of London.

Department of Biostatistics http://biostatistics.iop.kcl.ac.uk

The Institute of Psychiatry has a Department of Biostatistics which runs a statistical consultancy service, offering courses in statistical techniques and software applications. Use the link above to find out more about statistical courses 2009/10.

The statisticians in the Department of Biostatistics provide statistical advice to staff and students from all other Institute of Psychiatry departments free of charge. The service is intended to provide initial project advice and technical support with carrying out the statistical aspects of a research project. Use the link above to find out more about the statistical services offered to students at the Institute of Psychiatry.

Department of Computing and Knowledge Management http://www.iop.kcl.ac.uk/departments/?locator=992

The computing side the Department is responsible for network, file servicing and image processing services. See the link above for information about the computer rooms available for student use. About the Psychiatric Research Programme http://www.mscpsychiatricresearch.iop.kcl.ac.uk

Linda Daley, the Programme Administrator is based within the Education Support Team, M2.21 of the Main IoP Building and can be contacted on 020 7848 0497.

Professor Robin Murray, Programme Director, Dr. Jane Boydell, Programme Leader and Muriel Walshe, Programme Co-ordinator are all based in the main IoP Building. Contact details are given below.

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Key Contacts Name Job Title Contact Details

Professor Robin Murray Programme Director 020 7848 0100 [email protected] Dr Jane Boydell Programme Leader 020 7848 0497 [email protected] Dr Muriel Walshe Programme Co-ordinator 020 7848 0057 [email protected] Linda Daley Programme Administrator 020 7848 0497 [email protected]

Mode of attendance Full time 2 days per week, 1 year Part time 1 day per week, 2 years

Programme Overview The Psychiatric Research Programme, which is run by the Division of Psychological Medicine & Psychiatry, is based at the Denmark Hill Campus of Kings College London.

Psychiatric Research consists of six modules: two compulsory modules (Research Methods, Ethics and Statistics and Dissertation in Psychiatric Research), and four elective modules. The elective modules offered for 2009/10 are listed below and are described in more detail later in this handbook. We make every effort to run all of these but final decisions are made according to viability and levels of interest.

Elective modules:

Neuroimaging Qualitative Research Methods Social Psychiatry Statistical Methods in Psychiatric Epidemiology Mental Health Economic Evaluation* Measurement in Mental Health Services Research Brain-Behaviour Interface Mental Health Service Research: Theory to Practice* Systematic Review in Mental Health Psychiatric Genetics International Mental Health

* Only by prior agreement with Programme Leader

Programme Aims & Objectives To provide advanced training in the ethical and scientific principles common to all mental health research disciplines, together with skills in statistics and epidemiological and both biological and social research methodology. To provide an in-depth practical and theoretical knowledge base to guide the practice and interpretation of research in the field of mental health, policy and an understanding of the context in which it takes place.

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding and skills in the following areas: Knowledge and understanding: A grounding in the ethical and scientific principles common to all mental

health research disciplines. Intellectual Skills: Skills in univariate statistics and epidemiological and social research methodology as

applied in psychiatric research; the ability to appraise and critique research Practical Skills: An ability to formulate research questions, design studies and conduct psychiatric research

in health and social care settings; ethical committee applications and consent from construction; critical appraisal, evaluation and problem solving; statistical package use up to regression methods; understanding of Social Psychiatry methods, Systematic review methodology, neuroimaging, biological and psychiatric genetic research techniques; assimilation, comprehension and dissemination of research findings; awareness of practical, logistic and ethical issues

Generic / Transferable Skills: The ability to conduct a supervised research project and to present the findings in the form of a dissertation; skills in database handling and evaluation, several statistical and presentation packages, web database exploration, group working; presentation, appraisal and report writing skills; individual time management; an ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment

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Programme Structure

Compulsory units to be taken in each year

1x60 credit core module 1x60 credit core dissertation

Optional units to be taken in each year

4x15 credit optional modules

Research Methods, Ethics and Statistics in Mental Health (Core module: 60 credits). Semester 1

4 Block Study Modules (15 credits each). Students should choose one module from each of blocks A, B, C and D:

Measurement in Mental Health Services Research Social Psychiatry

Block A

Systematic Review in Mental Health Qualitative Research Methods Statistical Methods in Psychiatric Epidemiology

Block B

Psychiatric Genetics Brain-Behaviour Interface Block C Mental Health Services Research: Theory to Practice*

Block D Mental Health Services Economic Evaluation*

Semester 2

International Mental Health Neuroimaging *Students may only take these modules by prior permission of the Programme

Leader if they can demonstrate prior competence in the learning outcomes of the other module(s) within this block.

Semester 3 Dissertation in Psychiatric Research (Core module: 60 credits)

Programme Committee The programme committee has overall responsibility for overseeing the programme, including syllabus and assessment criteria. The membership of the Programme Committee is:

Programme Chair Professor Martin Prince Programme Leader Dr Jane Boydell Programme Team Module Leaders Student Representatives Students are nominated once the course has started Head, Education Support Team Karen Langridge Head of Department Professor Robin Murray Dean Professor Shitij Kapoor Institute Secretary Richard Barnard

The responsibilities of the Programme Committee are: To consider feedback from students on the programme. To ensure that the programme is academically sound and compares favourably with other similar

programmes. To enhance and develop the curriculum in line with current trends in the subject. To ensure the programme falls within the remit of the Institute's academic profile. To guarantee that entry requirements, teaching methods, assessment procedures and provision of

support are suitable for both the programme and students. To ensure that assessment procedures are fair and consistent and that the award conferred is

appropriate to both programme and student performance. To make sure adequate resources are made available to the programme. To liaise with the Institutes Teaching Committee and consider any business required by that

committee.

In practice, responsibility for day-to-day shaping of the programme is devolved to the Programme Learning and Teaching Group, which comprises of the Programme Chair, Programme Leaders and members of the teaching staff.

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Calendar 2009/2010

Term Dates Week commencing to week ending

Autumn Term Monday, 27th September 2010 Friday, 17th December 2010

Spring Term Monday, 10th January 2011 Friday, 22nd April 2011

Summer Term Monday, 25th April 2011 Friday, 26th August 2011

Examinations Date

Summer Examinations Thursday, 19th May 2011

Submission deadline for assessed course work Date

Block A Thursday, 24th February 2011

Block B Thursday, 24th February 2011

Block C Thursday, 28th April 2011

Block D Thursday, 28th April 2011

Dissertation Friday, 26th August 2011

Timetable (Core Programme) 2010/2011 Week 1 Monday 27/10/2010

14.00-17.00 IoP Induction Induction Wolfson Lecture Theatre

Week 2 Monday 04/10/2010

9.3010.45

Introduction to Psychiatric Research Jane Boydell

Lecture Seminar Room 1

11:15 -12:30 Introduction to MHSR Graham Thornicroft


14.00 - 17.00 Introduction to Study Design Rob Stewart


Thursday 07/10/2010

9.3012.30 Statistics 1: descriptive stats practical Rina Dutta

Lecture/Computer Practical

Computer Room A

14.00 - 17.00 Statistics 2: Data Processing Rina Dutta


Computer Room A


9.3011.00

Ethics 1: Intro to ethical principles in biomedical research. Jane Boydell


11:0012:30 Ethics 2: Applying to an ethics committee Ethics Office


14.00 - 17.00 Ethics 3: Identifying ethical issues/informed consent. Jane Boydell


Thursday 14/10/2010

9.3012.30 Systematic Review

Lecture/Practical Computer Room A

14:00 17:00 Systematic Review Lecture/Practical Computer Room A Week 4 Monday 18/10/2010

9.3012.30 Basic Research Concepts 1: chance & bias and study design practical Rob Stewart

Lecture/Practical Seminar Room 1

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14.00 - 17.00 Basic Research Concepts 2: confounding and study design practical James McCabe


Thursday 22/10/2010

9.3012:30 Statistics 3: Inference Proportions Confidence Intervals Paul Walters


14.00 - 17.00 Statistics 4: Inference Means Means Practical Paul Walters

Lecture Practical Computer Room A


9.3012:20 Study Design 1: Cross-Sectional surveys Theory/Practical: Paper review

Lecture/Classroom Practical

Seminar Room 1

14.00 - 17.00 Study Design 1: Cross sectional surveys application/ Survey Design

Lecture/Classroom practical

Seminar Room 1

Thursday 28/10/2010

9.3012:30 Statistics 5: stratified analysis Stratified analysis practical Avi Reichenberg


Computer Room A

14.0017:00 Statistics 6: Data analysis Strategies/Strategies Practical Chin-Kuo Chan


Computer Room A


9.3012:30 Study Design 2: Cohort studies Theory Practical: paper review James McCabe


14.00 - 17.00 Study Design 2: Cohort studies Application in mental health Cohort study design practical James McCabe


Thursday 4/11/2010

9.3012:30 Statistics 7: Correlation and regression 1 Assessing relationships between continuous variables Sabine Landau


Computer Room A

14:00 17:00 Statistics 8: Correlation and regression 2. Assessing Relationships between continuous variable for confounding variables. Sabine Landau


Computer Room A


9.3012:30 Study Design 3: case-control studies. Theory/Practical: paper review. Jane Boydell


14.00 - 17.00 Study Design 3: case-control studies. Application in Mental Health case control study design practical. Jane Boydell


Thursday 11/11/2010

9:30 12:30 Statistics 9: What test where? Theory Practical applications Avi Reichenberg


14:00 17:00 Power Calculations Rob Stewart



9.3012:30 Study design 4: ecological studies.Theory Practical: paper review Jane Boydell


14.00-17.00 Sampling and generalisability Sampling Weights Michael Dewey


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Thursday 18/11/2010

9.3012:30 Measurement Validity coefficients Martin Prince


14.0017:00 Research logistics Planning and implementing a study practical Avi Reichenberg



9:30 12:30 Study design 5: Randomized controlled trials Theory Practical: paper review Stuart Lancashire


14:00 17:00 Study Design 6: other designs Other trial designs Interpreting trials practical Jane Boydell


Thursday 25/11/2010

9.3012.30 Study design 7: qualitative studies Theory Practical Craig Morgan


14.00 - 17.00 Interpreting logistic regression Chin-kuo Chan



9.30 12:30

Introduction to Psychopathology 1 Robin Murray/Paul Allen Introduction to


14:00 17:00 Psychopathology 2 Affective disorders Jane Boydell/Carmine Pariente Anxiety Disorders Paul Walters


Thursday 2/12/2010

9:30 12:30 Critical Appraisal Craig Morgan


14.00 17:00 Analysis for Critical Appraisal Craig Morgan



9.30 11.00

Introduction to Psychopathology 3 Child Psychiatry Jenny Parker


11:30 12:15 Concept of diagnosis in psychiatry Jane Boydell & Muriel Walshe


13:0014:00

Challenges and opportunities in providing health care Graham Thornicroft

Lecture

Seminar Room 1

15:00 17.00 Service User Research Felicity Callard


Thursday 09/12/2010

9.3012:30 Revision study design Paul Walters

Revision Day Seminar Room 1

14:00 17:00 Revision statistics Paul Walters

Revision Day Computer Room B


9.30 - 13:00 End of Term Assessment Jane Boydell

Mock Exam Seminar Room 1

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Timetable (Specialist Study Units) 2009/10

Block A

Teaching Monday 04/01/10 11/01/10 18/01/10 25/01/10 01/02/10 08/02/10

Home study Tuesday 05/01/10 12/01/10 19/01/10 26/01/10 02/02/10 09/10/10

Coursework submission 18th February 2010

Block B

Teaching Thursday 07/01/10 14/01/10 21/01/10 28/01/10 04/02/10 11/02/10

Home study Friday 08/01/10 15/01/10 22/01/10 29/01/10 05/02/10 12/02/10

Coursework submission 18th February 2009

Block C

Teaching Monday 22/02/10 01/03/10 08/03/10 15/03/10 22/03/10 29/03/10

Home study Tuesdays 23/02/10 02/03/10 09/03/10 16/03/10 23/03/10 30/03/10

Coursework submission 8th April 2009

Block D

Teaching Thursday 25/02/10 04/03/10 11/03/10 18/03/10 25/03/10 01/04/10

Home study Friday 26/02/10 05/03/10 12/03/10 19/03/10 26/03/10 02/04/10

Coursework submission 8th April 2009

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Modules Descriptions

Module title

Core Module: Research Methods, Ethics and Statistics in Mental Health Module code PHSR100 Subject area Mental Health Services Research Credit value (tick one box only) 15 30 45 60 Teaching institution (if not Kings College) Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London Programme organiser and contact details

Paul Walters & Jane Boydell [email protected] [email protected] 020 7848 5070 020 7848 0415

Educational aims of the module The aims of the first semester teaching 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.

Learning outcomes of the module By the end of this module students will: 1. Understand concepts underlying research and its application in mental health 2. Understand ethical principles to be considered in designing and conducting research 3. Understand the theory and application in Psychiatry of the following research methods 4. Cross-sectional surveys, Case control studies, Cohort studies, Ecological and time-series studies, Clinical

trials 5. Appreciate issues concerning sampling and measurement in mental health research and the logistics of

carrying out a research study 6. Understand the theoretical basis for statistical analysis and its application in research 7. Be proficient in univariate statistical analyses, and be able to interpret stratified analysis and linear

regression 8. Be proficient in the critical appraisal of research reports

Programme details (please list all the programmes to which the module contributes and state whether it is introductory (I), compulsory (C) or optional (O) for each programme)

Programme title Programme code I C O

MSc in Mental Health Services Research

MSc in Psychiatric Research

PTMS1FMHPGT (Full-time) PTMS2FMHPGT (Part-time)

PTMS1RMPPGT (Full-time) PTMS2RMPPGT (Part-time)

X

X

Contact time/directed study

Lectures Seminar/ tutorials

Field/lab/studio/supervised learning

Project work Other / Private Study

72 hours 60 hours 48 hours 90 hours 330 hours

Assessment pattern

Method Number/ amount

Duration/ length

Pass Mark (40 for level 4, 5 and 6; 50 for level 7)

Mandatory to pass / qualifying mark

% of final grade

Unseen written examinations

2 3 hours each 50% At least one 50% each

Other (please specify) Written assessment and critical appraisal at end of first term: NOT contributing to final marks

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Module title

Block A: Measurement in Mental Health Services Module code -7PAGRMMH Subject area Psychiatric Research Credit value (tick one box only) 15 30 45 60 Teaching institution (if not Kings College) Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London Programme organiser and contact details

Cleusa Ferri, [email protected] 020 7848 0340

Educational aims of the module 1. To provide students with advanced understanding and knowledge of the research measures used in psychiatric research. 2. To equip students with the skills needed to design, conduct and analyse measures used mental health services research.

Learning outcomes of the module By the end of the module the student will have a critical understanding of: 1. Understand the historical development and current status of the concept of a case in mental health research, particularly as it is operationalised through internationally standardised diagnostic criteria and structured clinical assessments 2. Understand 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 devise and structure a simple questionnaire 4. Understand classical and IRT scaling theory, and be familiar with the essentials of developing and validating a new scale 5. Be introduced to some emerging themes in measurement, including incorporation of biological assessments into epidemiological research, new technologies, and densely repeated measures. 6. Receive a basic training in the administration of two contrasting fully structured lay clinical assessments, the CIS-R and CIDI. Programme details (please list all the programmes to which the module contributes and state whether it is introductory (I), compulsory (C) or optional (O) for each programme)






X

X




Project work Other/private study


Assessment pattern


Duration/ length



% of final grade

Assessed coursework 1 2,500 words 50% Mandatory 100%

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Module title

Block A: Social Psychiatry Module code - Subject area Psychiatric Research Credit value (tick one box only) 15 30 45 60 Teaching institution (if not Kings College) Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London Programme organiser and contact details

Craig Morgan [email protected] 020 7848 0351

Educational aims of the module Social Psychiatry is concerned with the relationship between the social environment and the onset, course and treatment of mental illness. This module has two primary aims: 1. To provide a detailed introduction to the theoretical, conceptual and methodological foundations of social

psychiatry. 2. To provide an in-depth understanding of the key issues in conducting social research in relation to mental

illness, focusing on study design, measurement and analysis.

Learning outcomes of the module By the end of the module the student will have a critical understanding of: 1. The distinctive contribution, and limitations, of social psychiatry 2. How social psychiatry relates to biological and psychological research 3. How the social, biological and psychological have been integrated in theoretical models and research. 4. Core concepts in social research: inc. social class, social capital, culture, ethnicity, and gender. 5. The strengths and weaknesses of a range of study designs and methods in researching the relationship

between the social environment and the onset and course of mental illness, in particular epidemiological designs such as cohort, case-control and ecological studies.

6. The need to distinguish different levels of analysis, including the individual, family and societal levels, and the inferences that can be drawn from them.

7. How aspects of the social environment, including social class, culture and stress, have been operationalised in research

8. The particular challenges of measuring aspects of the social environment reliably and validly







X

X






Assessment pattern


Duration/ length



% of final grade


17

Module title

Block A: Systematic Review in Mental Health Module code PHSR103 Subject area Mental Health Services Research Credit value (tick one box only) 15 30 45 60 Teaching institution (if not Kings College) Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London Programme organiser and contact details

Paul Walters [email protected] 020 7848 5075

Educational aims of the module To provide 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. Learning outcomes of the module

By the end of the module the student will be able to: 1. Understand the reasons for doing a systematic review 2. Formulate questions appropriate for systematic reviews 3. Develop a protocol for a systematic review 4. Design and undertake comprehensive searches for relevant studies 5. Critically appraise studies for inclusion in a systematic review 6. Understand the potential impact of strengths and weaknesses of studies in a 7. systematic review 8. Understand how data can be used in meta-analyses 9. Understand the role and work of the Cochrane Collaboration 10. Produce a publication standard protocol for a systematic review 11. Be able to prepare a full systematic review





PTMS1MHRPGT

PTMS1RMPPGT

X

X





18 hours

8 hours 16 hours 60 hours 48 hours

Assessment pattern


Duration/ length



% of final grade

Assessed coursework 1 2.500 words 50% Mandatory 100%

18

Module title

Block B: Qualitative Research Methods Module code PHSR102 Subject area Mental Health Services Research Credit value (tick one box only) 15 30 45 60 Teaching institution (if not Kings College) Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London Programme organiser and contact details

Joanna Murray [email protected] 020 7848 5056

Educational aims of the module 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.

Learning outcomes of the module 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





PTMS1MHRPGT

PTMS1RMPPGT

X

X

Prerequisites (please list all the modules for which the proposed module is a pre-requisite)

Module code Module

PHPR109 Research Dissertation Psychiatric Research






Assessment pattern


Duration/ length



% of final grade


19

Module title

Block B: Statistical Methods in Psychiatric Epidemiology Module code PHSR105 Subject area Mental Health Services Research Credit value (tick one box only) 15 30 45 60 Teaching institution (if not Kings College) Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London Programme organiser and contact details

Michael Dewey [email protected]

Educational aims of the module 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.

Learning outcomes of the module By the end of the module the student will be able to: 1. Understand the conceptual basis for multivariate analysis in epidemiological research, in particular concepts

relating to causal pathways, confounding, mediation and effect modification. 2. Understand 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.

3. Understand the uses and conceptual basis for multi-level modelling and the techniques and packages available.





PTMS1MHRPGT

PTMS1RMPPGT

X

X






Assessment pattern


Duration/ length



% of final grade


20

Module title

Block B: Psychiatric Genetics Module code PHPR102 Subject area Psychiatric Research Credit value (tick one box only) 15 30 45 60 Teaching institution (if not Kings College) Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London Programme organiser and contact details

David Collier [email protected] 020 7848 0631

Educational aims of the module

To equip the student with an advanced understanding of the principles, types and application of genetic research methods in psychiatry.

To gain a detailed understanding of the interaction between genetic and environmental factors and their application in research.

Learning outcomes of the module By the end of the module the student will understand the principles and limitations of the major study designs in Behavioural Genetics:

1. Family studies 2. Twin studies 3. Adoption studies

Students will understand the application of these research designs in investigating 1. The relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors 2. The interplay between genetic and environmental factors 3. The changing role of genetic factors in different stages of development from infancy to old age.

Students will understand the different outcome measures in behavioural genetics (diagnostic measures and personality dimensions).

During practical sessions, students will have performed genetic model fitting analyses of both continuous and categorical traits (liability to threshold models)

Students will understand the theory and application of molecular genetics in mental health research and its contribution to the field.

Programme details (please list all the programmes to which the module contributes and state whether it is introductory (I), compulsory (C) or optional (O) for each programme) Programme title Programme code I C O


MSc in Forensic Mental Health Science


PTMS1MHRPGT (Full-time) PTMS2MHSPGT (Part-time)

X

X





18 hours


Assessment pattern


Duration/ length



% of final grade

Assessed coursework) 1 2.500 words 50% Mandatory 100%

21

Module title

Block C: Brain-Behaviour Interface Module code 7PAGRBBI Subject area Psychiatric Research Credit value (tick one box only) 15 30 45 60 Teaching institution (if not Kings College) Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London Programme organiser and contact details Carmine M Pariante

[email protected] 020 7848 0807

Educational aims of the module

To provide students with an in depth understanding of the preferred research methods as well as the approaches and designs used to understand the biological basis of behaviour.

Learning outcomes of the module By the end of the module, students should be able to:

1. Read, understand and interpret the scientific literature on the biological basis of behaviour and of psychiatric disorders. 2. To approach a scientific question in the field with both the theoretic and technical knowledge required to design an experimental study.







X

X






Assessment pattern


Duration/ length



% of final grade


22

Module title

Block C: Mental Health Services Research: Theory to Practice Module code PHSR101 Subject area Mental Health Services Research Credit value (tick one box only) 15 30 45 60 Teaching institution (if not Kings College) Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London Programme organiser and contact details

Mark Haddad [email protected] 020 7848 0056

Educational aims of the module 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.

Learning outcomes of the module 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

Programme details (please list all the programmes to which the module contributes and state whether it is introductory (I), compulsory (C) or optional (O) for each programme




-

-

X

X






Assessment pattern


Duration/ length



% of final grade


23

Module title

Block D: Mental Health Economic Evaluation Module code PHSR104 Subject area Mental Health Services Research Credit value (tick one box only) 15 30 45 60 Teaching institution (if not Kings College) Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London Programme organiser and contact details

Sarah Byford [email protected] 020 7848 0043

Educational aims of the module 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.

Learning outcomes of the module 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





PTMS1MHRPGT

PTMS1RMPPGT

X

X





18 hours


Assessment pattern


Duration/ length



% of final grade

Assessed coursework) 1 2.500 words 50% Mandatory 100%

24

Module title

Block D: International Mental Health Module code PHSR105 Subject area Mental Health Services Research Credit value (tick one box only) 15 30 45 60 Teaching institution (if not Kings College) Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London Programme organiser and contact details Vikram Patel/Martin Prince


Educational aims of the module To provide students with an in depth understanding of the clinical and public health significance of mental health in the international context. To equip students with advanced skills in epidemiological, trial and policy research in cross cultural mental health Learning outcomes of the module By the end of the module, students should be able to: 1. Describe what is meant by mental illness, and understand the broad classification of major mental disorders.

Be aware of the limits to the existing evidence base on aetiology and treatment of mental disorder 2. Explain the public health significance of mental illness from an international perspective, drawing on the

Global Burden of Disease and World Health Reports 3. Understand the application of epidemiological research methods to the study of international mental health 4. Critically evaluate the influence of cultural, socio-economic, gender and health system factors on mental

illness and mental health service delivery 5. Describe how mental health issues are related to and can be integrated with established public health

priorities, such as reproductive health, domestic violence and poverty alleviation.

To understand at an advanced level 1. The historical evolution of psychiatry 2. Ethnography of mental illness 3. The influence of culture on mental illness 4. The influence of social sciences for International Mental Health 5. The interactions of social capital, population transition, conflict, public health and mental ill health. 6. The contribution of epidemiology and clinical trials for International Mental Health 7. The advantages and flaws of international diagnostic systems 8. Cross-cultural measurement Programme details (please list all the programmes to which the module contributes and state whether it is introductory (I), compulsory (C) or optional (O) for each programme)






X

X






Assessment pattern


Duration/ length



% of final grade


25

Module title

Block D: Neuroimaging Module code PHPR101 Subject area Psychiatric Research Credit value (tick one box only) 15 30 45 60 Teaching institution (if not Kings College) Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London Programme organiser and contact details Dr Paul Allen


Educational aims of the module To provide students with a detailed understanding of the principles, practice and application of Neuroimaging techniques. Learning outcomes of the module By the end of the module the student will be able to: 1. Understand the principles of physics and physiology underlying magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),

functional MRI (fMRI), position emission tomography (PET), single phototon emission tomography (SPET), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

2. Understand the components in the analysis of neuroimaging data. 3. Have learned how to design a neuroimaging study. 4. Have been introduced to the application of neuroimaging techniques to studying human behaviour,

cognition and emotion in healthy and illness states. 5. Understand some of the ethical implications of neuroimaging research 6. Have learned how to prepare a neuroimaging research proposal

Programme details (please list all the programmes to which the module contributes and state whether it is introductory (I), compulsory (C) or optional (O) for each programme) Programme title Programme code I C O


MSc in Forensic Mental Health Science


PTMS1MHRPGT (Full-time) PTMS2MHSPGT (Part-time)

X

X






Assessment pattern


Duration/ length



% of final grade


26

Module title

Dissertation in Psychiatric Research Module code - Subject area Psychiatric Research Credit value (tick one box only) 15 30 45 60 Teaching institution (if not Kings College) Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London Programme organiser and contact details

Dr Jane Boydell [email protected] 020 7848 0415

Additional Tutors -

Educational aims of the module To provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their acquired knowledge and skills in Psychiatric Research.

Learning outcomes of the module The student will have acquired an in depth understanding of a particular field within Psychiatric Research and demonstrate an advanced knowledge of:

1. Hypothesis generation and testing via one of :- Research protocol preparation, ethical issues, logistics, planned analysis and dissemination. Literature review, secondary data analysis, discussion and dissemination A formal systematic review

2. Critical awareness and appraisal of own work 3. Lucid discussion of bias, confounding and causality. 4. Full appreciation of ethical issues raised



MSc in Psychiatric Research PTMS1MHRPGT X

Prohibited combinations (please list all the modules which cannot be taken in combination with the proposed module and to which programme this relates) Module title Module code Programme

e.g. Professional Development e.g. PDFTG02 e.g. MSc Family Therapy





20 hours 580 hours

Assessment pattern


Duration/ length



% of final grade

Dissertation 1 10,000 words 50% Mandatory 100%

27

Learning and support for learning At postgraduate level, independent learning is encouraged and the Psychiatric Research Programme is designed to enable you to extend your knowledge and understanding of mental health services and to develop transferable skills, including literature searching, critical appraisal and research. The Programme is delivered through a range of teaching and learning methods, aiming to provide up-to-date coverage of mental health services issues and to offer you opportunities to pursue your own interests through extended essays and the research-based dissertation.

Lectures and discussions form the core teaching for each module. They cover the main topics and key themes in the curriculum of each module, and ideas are developed further in small group work, case analyses and student presentations. You are expected to supplement class work and lecture notes with further reading. Students find it helpful to do some preparatory reading each week. As well as recommended references, which are linked to each weeks sessions, independent literature searches will extend your knowledge and understanding and increase your chances of success. Tours of the IoP library are regularly arranged by staff from Knowledge Management staff, email [email protected] for further details.

Much of the learning and teaching for this Programme takes place in groups of no more than twenty students, sessions are typically interactive and student contributions are encouraged. Studying for a postgraduate diploma or masters degree is a stimulating and enjoyable experience but it can also place challenging demands upon students, particularly those who have full-time jobs and families. In addition to taught sessions, postgraduate courses require independent study and personal commitment and you are expected to dedicate time and energy to your studies. In order to get the most out of the course you should arrange to devote at least a day a week to your studies (part-time students) or 2-3 days per week (full-time students), in addition to class contact time.

Attendance Students are expected to attend all regular teaching events and to notify the programme leader in the event of any unavoidable absences. Attendance will be monitored at regular intervals throughout the taught programme and tutorials.

Academic and personal tutorial support All students will be allocated to a tutorial group. Each group will be allocated to a tutor for the core teaching in semester one of the course. The degree of supervision will depend upon commitments of both student and tutor. Full-time student groups might arrange to meet with their tutor weekly from week 3 to week 10 of the first semester. Part-time student groups might meet fortnightly over the same period.

The main purpose of the tutorial groups will be to review with your tutor the flexible learning exercises that you are working on each week. Also you may wish to discuss any aspects of the curriculum that you have found interesting or perhaps, problematic.

By the end of this semester the student is expected to have identified a research area for their dissertation and a suitable supervisor is identified from within the IOP (usually but not only the Division of Psychological Medicine). In the second semester the student works with their supervisor to hone their dissertation plans and surmount any logistical issues e.g. ethics / R&D approval.

The student then works independently under supervision to produce the final dissertation which may be primary research, secondary data analysis from the many IOP available datasets, a systematic (not literature) review or a study proposal.

Essay writing and examinations As part of the programme assessment process, students will be required to submit coursework (e.g. essays) and/or sit examinations in each module. In these, success depends not just on how much, or what you know but, on how you convey your knowledge and understanding, orally or in writing. For those who have been away from studying for some time, this can be a daunting task. There are useful study guides available on essay writing and preparing for exams, and many local authorities run short study skills courses. In addition, the Kings English Language Centre is a very useful resource for international students (see English Language Support below for more information).

28

Dissertation supervision A key component of the programme assessment is the dissertation which is submitted by the end of the first year (f/t) or second year (p/t).

It will be helpful to agree a timetable of supervision with your supervisor as early as possible. The exact amount of supervision time will vary between students but we would recommend a total contact time of between 6 and 10 hours. As a general guideline, your supervisor should read and criticise one written draft of your project, however you need to give them a minimum of two weeks to do this. They are not expected to correct your English. You should note that although your tutor may provide you with advice and guidance, the dissertation is ultimately your responsibility.

Referencing http://www.kcl.ac.uk/teares/nmvc/studyskills/referencing/page_01.htm

The accuracy and thoroughness of referencing are taken into account in assessing written work, so as well as being part of academic discipline, acquiring the habit of good referencing is in your best interests. The system of referencing, which must be used in written work, is a standardised one, closely based on the now widely adopted Harvard System (see Appendix 6). Simplicity and comprehensiveness are the advantages of this system. Like all systems, this does not provide a single, perfect answer to every unusual case. However, if you adopt the principles described, you should not go wrong.

English Language Support https://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/humanities/depts/elc/

All teaching at the Institute is conducted in English and it is therefore essential that students have a sufficient command of the language to follow their course.

The Kings College London English Language Centre is to there to help international students with any problems they might have concerning their written and spoken English. It offers tuition in General English (EFL/ESL) and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses throughout the year.

Subject to availability, part-time courses are available free of charge to students who require English language support. The Centre also offers an Advanced English Language course for students wishing to sit the Cambridge Proficiency Examination. In addition, the Centre offers workshops in communication and study skills for students whose first language is English and who have problems with essay writing, spelling etc.

For more details about English language tuition and courses contact the Centre on 020 7848 1600 or email [email protected]

29

Coursework & Dissertation Please ensure you familiarise yourself with the following requirements.

Coursework

Format and word length Course work should be presented in the following way

Student number on each page - NO NAME Typed on A4 white paper with at least 1.5 line spacing Font size 12 Pages numbered References in the body of the text must be included in a reference list at the end of the written work Coursework should be approximately 2,500 words. There is a maximum of 3500 words - assignments

exceeding this total will be penalised.

All course work should include one (1) front sheet with the following information Study Unit Name Name of candidate Student number Year of study Word Count Full or Part-time course Date of submission

Submission Three (3) copies of all course work should be handed to the programme administrator by 12 noon of the Thursday following the end of each study unit (e.g. if the last teaching day of the unit is Thurs 12th Feb then the submission date is Thursday 19th February). Kings regulations state that failure to do so will result in an automatic failing of that study unit. Remember to keep a copy for yourself!

Dissertation Dissertations longer than 11,000 words (excluding references) will be penalised

Three (3) copies of the dissertation should be handed to the programme administrator by 12noon on Friday 28th August 2009. The dissertation should be presented in the following way: -

Student number as a header on each page NO NAME Typed on A4 white paper with at least one & half spacing Font size 12 Reasonable font type Typing on one side of the paper only Start main sections on a new page, Journal-standard tables. Pages numbered References in the body of the text must be included in a reference list at the end of the written work.

Reference formatting is up to you. The (Author, year) system (rather than numbering) is generally easiest both for you and markers (see for example the British Journal of Psychiatry).

Bound in a clear plastic folder

All course work should include a removable front sheet with the following information Study Unit Name Student name Student number Year of study Word Count Full or Part-time course

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Submission Deadlines for Coursework and Dissertation

Submission deadline for assessed course work Date

Block A Thursday, 18th February 2010

Block B Thursday, 18th February 2010

Block C Thursday, 8th April 2010

Block D Thursday, 8th April 2010

Dissertation Friday, 27th August 2010

Late Submission Material for assessment, including essays, case studies and dissertations, must be submitted by the dates specified in this handbook. Material submitted late will normally be failed with a mark of zero unless the candidate has suffered illness or other cause found acceptable to the Board of Examiners (refer to the Mitigating circumstances & requests for a Board of Examiners to review its decision for more details).

Assessment Assessment Methods

At the end of the first semester there will be an informal progress assessment taking place on Monday 14th December 2009 (seminar room 1), which does not count towards the final MSc marks. It will consist of a one and a half hour paper assessing knowledge gained in the first semester.

Semester 1

In addition a critical appraisal will be set for students to work on over the Christmas break to be handed in by 11th January 2010. This will enable teaching staff to appraise the students progress, and application of the first semester teaching.

Semester 2

Each study unit will set an assignment of approximately 2500 words. The study unit course work will contribute one half of a module toward the total of six modules required for the MSc (i.e. 1/12 of total marks). Students must submit a completed feedback form with the assignment, for each study they have taken, if they wish to receive comments with their grades

Semester 3: Dissertation

A dissertation of 10,000 words or equivalent will be submitted for the Masters degree. The dissertation may be a research report, secondary data analysis, a systematic review or a detailed protocol for a proposed study. Supervision will be provided by an appropriate research supervisor. The dissertation contributes one third of the final MSc marks.

Final Examination: For 2009/10 full-time students and 2008/2010 part-time students, the final examination will be Thursday 20th May. This will consist of two three-hour papers which will examine material from Semester 1 only: Statistics and Research Logistics and Ethics Study Design and Critical Appraisal

31

Assessment Weighting

Each element of assessment carries a particular weighting, that is, it constitutes a proportion of the overall mark. The weighting for assessments on the Psychiatric Research and associated courses are given below. In order to pass the Programme, candidates are required to pass each module with a weighted average mark of at least 50 (the weighted average for the module is the weighted average of all the assessed elements for that module). Refer to the Appendix for the Scheme for the award of the Masters degree.

Description % of final mark per unit:

Overall % of final mark

Neuroimaging 8.33% Qualitative Research Methods 8.33% Social Psychiatry 8.33% Statistical Methods in Psychiatric Epidemiology 8.33% Mental Health Services Economic Evaluation* 8.33% Measurement in Mental Health Services Research 8.33% Brain-Behaviour Interface 8.33% Mental Health Services Research: Theory to Practice 8.33% Systematic Review 8.33% Psychiatric Genetics 8.33% International Mental Health 8.33%

33.33% (= 4 modules)

Research Methods, Ethics and Statistics in Mental Health: Statistics and Research Logistics and Ethics

16.66%

Research Methods, Ethics and Statistics in Mental Health: Study Design and Critical Appraisal

16.66%

33.33% (= 2 examinations)

Dissertation in Psychiatric Research 33.33% 33.33% (= 1 dissertation) Assessment Criteria

The tables below show the generic assessment criteria against which all assessed work will be marked.

Examinations and other forms of assessment are marked numerically out of 100. The following scheme shows the general criteria used to assess the quality of the work.

Overall Equivalent (%) Description

Distinction

70+% Advanced and comprehensive essay. Logical, organised and systematic answer, covering all the major aspects of the topic. Evidence of independent study, originality and critical evaluation demonstrated by selection and presentation of relevant material. Excellent standard of presentation and analysis.

Merit

60-69% Good knowledgeable, logical, organised and accurate answer covering most of the major aspects of the topic. Some evidence of independent study. Demonstrates a clear and accurate understanding. High standard of presentation and analysis.

Pass

50-59% Accurate answer covering most of the major aspects of the topic, and some evidence of independent study or critical evaluation.

Fail

32

independent study and critical evaluation demonstrated by placing research in context of existing literature. Excellent standard of presentation and analysis.

Merit

60-69% Well written, logical, organised and accurate answer covering the design and methodology. Demonstration of a systematic approach to the project. Good understanding of research tools employed. Some evidence of independent study. Has developed a clear and accurate project. High standard of presentation and analysis.

Pass

50-59% Accurate answer outlining a coherent research project covering the main aspects of design and methodology. Good understanding of research tools employed. Clearly presented project.

Fail

33

programmes. The Programme Boards make recommendations to the Institute Board of Examiners on awards to individual students. Programme Boards may also recommend that individual students be permitted to re-sit failed examinations.

Membership of Programme Board of Examiners

Chair Professor Martin Prince Vice-Chair Dr Jane Boydell Internal Examiners Dr Paul Walters External (Visiting) Examiners Prof Scott Weich Intercollegiate Examiner Prof. Gill Livingston Head, Education Support Team Karen Langridge

Terms of reference

1. To ensure that assessment procedures are fair and consistent and that the award conferred is both appropriate to both programme and student performance

2. To ensure that marked components are clear and unambiguous and comprise a fair and appropriate reflection of the programme itself

3. To ensure comparability of standards with similar postgraduate programmes 4. To recommend final degree classification to the Institute Board of Examiners 5. To report recommendations of the External Examiners to the Programme Committee

External (Visiting) Examiners The main functions of External (Visiting) Examiners are to ensure that the programmes offered at the College and the Institute, and the grades of degrees awarded, are of a standard comparable with those at other universities in the UK, and that the examination system is fair and equitably run. They also act as adjudicators in individual cases. External Examiners are therefore experts (often Professors) in particular fields of study and are drawn from other higher education institutions in the UK. Essentially, their duties are to:

comment on and approve draft examination papers and advise upon other modes of assessment appropriate to the subject;

sample examination answer scripts and other assessed material including coursework to ensure an appropriate standard of marking, and to act as adjudicators on borderline pass/fail cases;

interview students as permitted by College and programme regulations; approve pass lists; report formally on the degree programme and its method of assessment so that the Programme Boards

and the Institute Board of Examiners can modify their procedures if necessary.

34

Student Feedback & Representation Students have the opportunity to provide their views on their programme, facilities, the Institute and Kings through student representatives on the Programme Committee and in person at Student Forum meetings. We are keen to receive students comments and ideas for improving the programme, and incorporate these into programme delivery where feasible. There are three main ways you can make your views known:

Through student representatives (see above). Termly questionnaires Yearly questionnaires

Questionnaires Student feedback on the teaching and content of courses is obtained through termly questionnaires which you will be asked to complete anonymously. The form covers teaching and learning quality, information resources, administrative support and the Kings environment, and has space for any other comments. Analysis of the questionnaires by the Programme Leader will allow your views to be integrated into the future development of the programme.

Student feedback also forms a large part of the annual monitoring process. All programmes are required to produce a report on the operation of the programme each year. Included as part of this report is a summary of the feedback received from students, mechanisms used for assimilating and processing students comments and examples of how previous feedback from students has resulted in changes being made to the programme.

Programme Committee The Programme Committee meets at least twice a year. It offers students the opportunity, through their student representatives, to discuss the programme and raise any issues with members of the programme team.

Students Forum

www.iop.kcl.ac.uk/studentforum The Students Forum of the Institute of Psychiatry meets on a termly basis and provides students with the opportunity to voice concerns and discuss educational and other matters of mutual interest with key administrative staff.

Kings College London Students Union http://www.kclsu.org/

All students are automatically members of Kings College London Students Union (KCLSU). KCLSU exists to represent the interests of all students at Kings and provide a wide range of high quality recreational, social and welfare services at all campuses. In addition to this, it can provide confidential advice and support on a range of issues see the Advice section below for more information about this service.

Education Support Team (School Office) www.iop.kcl.ac.uk/est

You can go the Institutes Education Support Team for advice and information.

MSc Psychiatric Research Handbook

Documents

Transcript of MSc Psychiatric Research Handbook