Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences (11398.2)

Please note these are the 2025 details for this unit
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Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Flexible
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Psychology Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 1 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 1 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
In this unit students will be introduced to the research methods used in the health sciences. The unit covers the research process, experimental and quasi-experimental methods, survey and correlational research, hypothesis testing and statistical inference. Students will also be introduced to a statistical program.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will:
1. Have an understanding of the major types of research methods used in the health sciences and the advantages and disadvantages of each;
2. Be aware of some of the issues affecting the reliability and validity of research designs; and
3. Be able to enter data in a statistical package and produce and interpret basic statistical analyses.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

6540 Introduction to Statistics Exception: Students in the Bachelor of Science in Psychology must complete 11398 even if they have already passed 6540.

Equivalent units

6611 Introduction to Psychological Research

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2025 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2024 Bruce, Canberra Summer Semester 27 November 2023 Flexible Miss Teaghan Hogg
2024 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 29 July 2024 Flexible Dr Janie Busby Grant
2025 Bruce, Canberra Summer Semester 25 November 2024 Flexible Miss Teaghan Hogg
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 Flexible Dr Janie Busby Grant
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

There are no compulsory readings for this unit.

The following readings are optional and are not assessable:

Navarro, D. J. & Foxcroft, D. R. (2019). Learning statistics with jamovi: A tutorial for psychology students and other beginners. (Version 0.70). doi: 10.24384/hgc3-7p15 [available from the unit Canvas site]

Haslam, S. A. & McGarty, C. (2014). Research methods and statistics in psychology (2nd Ed). London: Sage.

APA. (2010).  Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed). Washington, DC:  American Psychological Association.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Progress Quizzes: Late penalties will be applied to the progress quizzes for those students without an approved extension as per university policy.
 
Laboratory Report: Late penalties will be applied to the laboratory reports for those students without an approved extension as per university policy.
 
Instructions for applying for an extension will be provided on Canvas. 

Special assessment requirements

All three assessment items must be submitted for evaluation in order to be eligible to pass the unit (students must complete at least one Progress Quiz, submit a Laboratory Report, and sit the Final Exam). The final mark is determined by adding all three assessment marks together – each individual assessment item does not need to be passed in order to pass the unit. 

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Participation requirements

Students are expected to access all lecture materials online. Students can choose to attend live in person or live online workshops or participate in the equivalent online asynchronous learning environment. Homework materials and additional resources are aso provided on Canvas for students to complete in their own time.

Required IT skills

No special IT skills are required for this unit, although it is expected that all students will have basic computer and word-processing skills.  If you are unfamiliar with searching specialist databases for accessing journals please see the UC library site for details of training sessions. Skills in the statistical software jamovi will be taught during the unit.

Note that if you choose to participate in the live online workshop option you will access the online meetings in real time using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn teaching site. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality we recommend a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, go to the Virtual Room in your UCLearn site and 'Join Course Room'. This will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the Virtual Room. 

In-unit costs

None.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None.

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