Research Philosophy and Methodology for Doctoral Students  

Module Description

This unit forms part of the taught stage which constitutes Phase One of this programme. It is a unit split into two parts (Part A and Part B) over the first two years respectively.  

The aim of this unit is to prepare students to be able to successfully manage the challenges of academic research by encompassing aspects of research which are of primary significance to all doctoral students and with a particular specialisation in Health Science.  

The course will give students a sound basis of many aspects related to Research and will deal with the varying perspectives such as, amongst others, the significance of research philosophy, the literature review, the skills required to identify research gaps, how to formulate a research question, different research methodologies, as well as ethical issues.  

The course will also empower students in the creative and metacognitive dimensional aspects of selecting and combining different styles of research and to design and produce their own research methodologies.  

Entry Requirements

Candidates who apply for this course will require to be: 

• Professionals whose academic studies include 1st cycle (undergraduate and Bachelor’s levels) and 2nd cycle (Graduate and Masters level) qualifications totalling not less than 240 ECTS in areas related to healthcare and management.  Any other professional who meets the Level requirements (L7 + L6 to a total of 240 ECTS) coming from a different area, but has 7 years of experience in a managerial position will also be considered. 

OR 

• A Level 7 Master’s Qualification (90 ECTS) related to healthcare and management, together with a Level 5 Higher Diploma equivalent to 120 ECTS and a minimum of 5 years working experience in Management within a specialised sector/area which is directly related to and relevant to the subject being researched in the Doctoral Programme.   

RPL will be considered for applicants with other high-level qualifications (e.g. OTHM L8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice). The maximum number of credits that may be gained through RPL will not exceed 50%. For more information regarding IDEA College’s RPL Policy and Process, please refer to: https://mt.ideaeducation.com/app/uploads/2024/07/Doc_007_24-Recognition-of-Prior-Learning-Policy-and-Process.pdf 

Students whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate English language capability at IELTS level 6.5 or equivalent by presenting evidence (formal certificate) of an achieved pass at that level.   

Target Audience

The target group for this doctorate programme consists of experienced professionals and senior practitioners working in, or aspiring to work in, advanced leadership, policy, and management roles in the health and social care sectors. Participants are expected to be mid-career or senior-level professionals with substantial practical experience, holding a relevant Master’s degree (MQF Level 7 or equivalent), and seeking to progress to doctoral-level study (MQF Level 8). 

Specifically, the programme is designed for: 

• Health professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses, allied health practitioners) who have moved into leadership, governance, or policy-making roles.
• Senior managers and executives in hospitals, health systems, public health agencies, and NGOs.
• Policy advisors, regulators, and government officials engaged in health strategy, workforce planning, and global health governance.
• Academics, researchers, and consultants seeking to deepen their expertise in health policy or workforce sustainability.
• International learners, including those from low- and middle-income countries, who wish to strengthen their capacity to respond to global health and workforce challenges. 

This diverse learner group will bring interdisciplinary and international perspectives, fostering a community of interprofessional practice aligned with IDEA College’s teaching philosophy. 

Career Paths

This programme is not designed to prepare students for a specific warranted profession or regulated occupation. Instead, it develops the advanced knowledge, skills, and competences outlined in the curriculum, equipping participants for senior leadership, management, policy, and consultancy roles across the health and social care sectors. 

The programme is targeted at: 

• Health and social care professionals (including doctors, nurses, allied health practitioners, social workers) who have moved or wish to move into leadership and policy-making positions. 
• Managers and executives in hospitals, primary care systems, elderly care organisations, and NGOs.
• Policy advisors and strategists in health ministries, regulatory agencies, and international organisations.
• Consultants and researchers specialising in health policy, global health governance, or workforce planning. 

Graduates will be well-prepared for: 

• Senior management and leadership positions within hospitals, elderly care organisations, and wider health systems.
• Roles such as policy analysts, health system planners, or workforce strategists in government or international agencies.
• Consultancy and advisory roles within think tanks, NGOs, and intergovernmental organisations.
• Academic or applied research roles in universities, research institutes, and policy bodies. 

Assessment

This unit will be assessed through a mini-research study where students would be expected to identify an area of interest, formulate a hypothesis or a research question, make a methodological choice, identify the research methods that would generate the best data, analyse the data using the most fitting analysis tools, and present the findings.  

80% research project. 

20% poster presentation. 

Library and online search engines to access peer-reviewed/scholarly papers are necessary to complete this assignment. Online platforms may be used to identify participants and/or to distribute questionnaires for data collection. Analytical tools may be used to facilitate the analysis of the data.