This coursework element assesses the following learning outcomes:
(1) Critically appraise the justification of applying certain research methods in
relation to cancer care informatics,
(2) Assess the application of process modelling techniques in the context of
cancer care informatics research,
(3) Develop research design using the Design Science Research Methodology for
a given cancer care problem empowered by informatics methods and tooling.
(4) Understand and apply legal, social, ethical and professional (LSEP) issues in
the context of cancer care informatics, and
(5) Utilise the service learning pedagogy for life long learning in the context of
cancer care informatics.
Task Specification:
Managing cancer care amid pandemics such as the global COVID-19 faces a number
of challenges and constraints, not only in relation to cancer care processes and
systems readiness to cope with, but also in relation to legal, social, ethical and
professional (LSEP) issues. The situation becomes more severely challenged in the
absence of readily available national polices, processes, standards, and quality
requirements to deal with pandemics. This, however, exerts further and unplanned
pressure on cancer care centres and their associated nodes, which are already already
under severe resourcing issues including targeted timescales for the cancer care life
cycle of cancer patients, availed resources for the different cancer care processes such
as diagnosis, treatment, nursing, social, financial support, etc.
In addition, it may not be surprising that many cancer care organisations do not have
well-documented and formalized process architecture (PA) reflecting cancer care
processes whether being strategic, management, or operational. Therefore, in
pandemic times – such as COVID-19 – specific characterisation not only the absence
of a PA has serious implications, but also the readiness of the organisation structure,
agility of its processes, readiness of related information technology systems, alignment
with cancer patients specific circumstances, and their socialising circles pose particular
challenges to cancer care professionals working in a cancer care organisation in
different process roles endeavoring to deliver compassionately and safely cancer care
to patients, but also saving themselves and their societal circles from COVID-19.
You will need to conduct a critical literature review to identify an issue that (you
consider) needs further research and development but is also anticipated to benefit
cancer care organisations from the application of (and readiness of) cancer care process architectures, service learning, and fitness-for-purpose related cancer care
information systems in their cancer care organisations, with the aim of delivering
compassionate and safe cancer care by cancer care stakeholders, and operatives not
only for themselves but also their societal circles.
Furthermore, the research issue that you identify should set out the background to
the design of an insightful research proposal that you need to develop using the Design
Science Research Methodology (DSRM), building on at least the notions of Riva-based
process architecture and alignment to service learning. Your proposal should explore
and reflect on the justification of why this research issue should be attempted, and
how it will be carried out using well-designated DSRM increments/loops along with
risk management discussed and aligned with each of these increments/loops. You will
need to justify, detail and reflect on the approaches and methods that will need to be
utilised in each of these increments/loops, and what any possible problems that might
be encountered.
Moreover, you will need to reflect on the resources (time, cancer care professionals,
researchers, etc) required for the delivery of the final product of your research
proposal with a time plan considering the nature of pandemics and the agility required
in the solution provided in a time span that you have in the research design for the
solution delivery.
Finally, provide 500 words essay with a critique regarding the adoption of the DSRM
process approach in the context of your research proposal reflecting on this process
appropriateness, effectiveness, and efficiency.
You may wish to consult the following sources, but your literature search should
include other important sources:
Managing Cancer Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
https://www.ascopost.com/news/march-2020/managing-cancer-care-during-thecovid-
19-pandemic/
Cancer Guidelines During the COVID-19 Pandemic
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(20)30217-
5/fulltext
Managing Cancer Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Agility and Collaboration
Toward a Common Goal
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32197238
Your research proposal has the following marks allocation per the sections below
with the assessment criteria detailed.
(1) Research issue identification and formulation: 20%
You should specify and provide metrics to assess the research
aim, and objectives; and also to articulate the research
questions underpinned by most appropriate theoretical
perspectives in order to support answering your research
questions, and why? This should set the scene for your DSRM
framework design.
(2) Research design using the DSRM process: 60%
You are expected to detail the rationale behind your research
framework design (as mentioned above) using the DSRM
process, the DSRM phases, increments/loops, research
methods, and reflecting on the benefits and limitations these
research methods have. You will need to show inclusion of
LSEP issues in your DSRM research framework design, but you
are NOT REQUIRED to specify the associated LSEP
requirements (and their metrics) or develop the anticipated
solution.
(3) A short essay on the adoption of the DSRM: 20%
This should be a critical reflective essay (not exceeding
500word) to answer whether the DSRM process approach
adopted in your research framework design is considered
appropriate, effective, and efficient, or not and why?