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Accessibility statement
In this module, you’ll undertake an independent data-based investigation to research an area of health sciences. You’ll develop a research question, design your investigation, collect data (from a provided dataset, an online database, or published research), analyse it and produce a scientific report. Possible research areas include infectious disease, human biology, mental ill-health, and genetics. This project module is a chance for you to plan and execute a piece of research and showcase the skills and knowledge you’ve gained through study.
Early in the module, the study materials, tutorials and discussions with your tutor will guide you to identify a suitable topic and develop a research question. We’ll provide some examples of topics you could investigate; however, you can choose a topic from any suitable area of health sciences in agreement with your tutor. Your chosen research area is likely to be informed by your previous studies and experience. Possible research areas include infectious disease, human biology, mental ill-health, and genetics. Your project will involve collecting secondary data from online sources (e.g. a provided dataset, a database or published research). You’ll search scientific literature to identify research to provide context for your investigation. You could spend up to two-thirds of your time online early in the module, identifying suitable material from the electronic journals.
Once you have settled on a project idea, you’ll audit the knowledge and skills required to complete your project and identify ways of developing areas that need improvement. You’ll also produce a project plan (your study planner for the duration of the module) and complete risk and ethical assessments for your investigation.
After you complete the initial planning, you’ll start the data collection and analysis process. You’ll follow this with the final phase of writing your report, submitted as part of your end-of-module assessment. The study materials guide planning and conducting project work, help with searching and using literature, guidance data analysis and writing a report. Tutorials provide further guidance and support.
Throughout the module, you’ll keep a reflective log to help you track and reflect on your progress. You will record any problems you encounter in your log and develop actions, with help from your tutor, to help you move forward.
There are no formal entry requirements for this module.
At The Open University, we believe education should be open to all, so we provide high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
Even though there are no entry requirements, you’ll need appropriate knowledge of health science obtained through:
Are you ready for SXH390?
We recommend that you’ve completed:
These parts relating to investigation design are especially relevant.
We also recommend familiarising yourself with the Library search tool and referencing guide.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying SXH390 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Science project module: health sciences (SXH390) starts once a year – in January/February.
It will next start in February 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in February 2030.
This module ends in September, so you’ll receive your final results in late October rather than June/July. You should consider this if you’re planning further study and wish to use your degree as an entry qualification.
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