MClinEd Major Project
The final project is an important component of the MClinEd. Its purpose is to ensure that the knowledge and experience you gain from the program are transferable to seeking the solutions of clinical education in your own clinical setting. For this reason it is important that your project proposal should include information which will help you clarify and define the topic you wish to pursue and which will help you and your supervisor to proceed systematically with the exploration and planning of your project.
These guidelines will help you in the preparation of your project proposal and the later reporting of the project itself. Please also read the Project Guidelines for Students, Supervisors and Examiners booklet for further information to assist you with planning and completing your project.
Appointment of Supervisor
In the first instance, contact the Program Co-ordinator and provide a brief (1 to 2 pages) draft proposal, detailing the problem or topic to be addressed, justification of its significance as a clinical education issue, a brief outline of the proposed method of investigation and suggestions for an appropriate supervisor.
The Proposal
1. Selection of a problem
Due to the diverse topic areas that arise, the project may take a number of different forms, such as a research study, a program evaluation or a developmental project. In all cases, the student should demonstrate the ability to achieve the following:
to identify and define a topic or problem area of contemporary clinical education significance
- to clearly state the specific problem to be studied
- to employ systematic methods to collect relevant information on the problem
- to appropriately analyse the information collected
- to interpret information and synthesise it into a cohesive argument, drawing conclusions and making relevant recommendations
- to present a report on the project in a manner consistent with academic standards and requirements
To ensure that your project is useful and relevant to your work, you are advised to choose a problem in an area in which you can reasonably expect to make a contribution; for instance, if you are an academic you may wish to tackle a project which relates to the development of the theoretical aspects of clinical education.
The problem should be significant enough to justify your effort but manageable within a six-month period.
2. Justification for dealing with the selected problem
The aim of this section of the proposal is to demonstrate that your selected problem is significant and that, by undertaking a project in this area you will be making a useful professional contribution.
It should include:
review of relevant literature which clearly identifies its contribution to the solution of the problem.
Compilation of information from different sources including:
- details of your work situation
- the coursework and your reading which supports your interpretation of the problem
- and confirms its significance and
- the feasibility of attempting its application.
3. An outline of the feasibility of implementing your project.
You need to plan a strategy for implementing your project. This involves:
a. considering the people, processes and resources that are required for your project - ask yourself:
- "How will this project affect them?"
- "What help do I need from other people?"
- "Whose permission do I need?"
- "What is the best way of achieving this assistance?"
b. seeking advice from your supervisor and any key people [especially decision makers] in your clinical setting regarding the above questions.
c. developing a plan of action for all steps in your project.
4. Methods
This section should include:
d. The methods you intend to use to further clarify the problem in your clinical setting.
e. The methods you intend to use to gather data about the problem which will help you to generate possible solutions.
f. The methods you intend to use to analyse the data you collect.
g. The details of the methods you intend to use in developing your approach.
5. A project timetable
In order to avoid problems [e.g. last minute rush] it is advisable to prepare a timetable for the planning stage, including preparation of your project proposal, negotiations with your institution, preparation and testing of data collection instruments, literature review and the implementation stages of your major project.
This should take into account such things as:
- time to do the project [e.g. when your work commitments are least] and when you would like to finish the project
- when your institution [or others] would like you to finish your project
- external time constraints e.g. session commencement, when people involved will be available
- how long each stage of your project will take.
6. A plan for evaluating your strategy
You should evaluate all aspects of your project. In this section you should indicate how you will monitor your progress through the course of the project. This step can be done in consultation with your supervisor.