Research Project in Health PG (6cp) (9593.3)

Please note these are the 2024 details for this unit
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Research Project in Health PG (6cp)
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Online
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.25 6 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Faculty Of Health Post Graduate Level Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
In this unit students will undertake applied health research in an interest area or clinical specialty, undertaken individually or as a group project. The research conducted may cover activities that address issues relating to health sciences, health outcomes, health care, professional practice or delivery of health services. Research will be conducted in accordance with principles of evidence-based health care. This unit encourages a multidisciplinary approach between students from different disciplines. It provides real-world research experience and develops skills in project management, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, effective communication, problem solving and critical thinking. Students are expected to work both independently and closely with a supervisor(s).

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Complete a defined research project either as an individual or as part of a team, based on a specific research question;
2. Demonstrate proficiency in applying appropriate methods to the research process;

3. Interpret the results of the project using evidence-based academic and expert knowledge;

4. Evaluate the quality of a research study using an appropriate tool;

5. Synthesise and communicate the findings of the project in a form appropriate to the discipline area; and

6. Use an appropriate research tool to evaluate the research quality of your project.



Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas


Skills development

In this unit students will undertake applied research in health that can be individualised to suit interests and clinical specialty or undertaken as a group project. The research conducted is generally not biomedical science conducted in research laboratories, but rather involving activities that address issues relating to health outcomes, health care interventions, diagnostics, professional practice or delivery of health services.

This unit encourages a multidisciplinary approach among students from different disciplines. It provides real-world research experience and develops skills in project management, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, effective communication, problem solving and critical thinking. Students are expected to work closely with your mentor, as well as independently, demonstrating initiative and problem solving. 

This unit is designed to follow on from 6486 Research Planning in Health. If you have completed another research planning unit, other than 6486 make sure your mentor knows, and you are prepared to rapidly develop your research project and protocol.

9592 is a 3 credit point unit, and its twin is 9593 which is a 6 credit point unit.



Prerequisites

Permission from the unit convener is required and students must have completed 6486 Research Planning PG. For this permission to be given, the student must draw up a project proposal, preferably in consultation with the staff member likely to supervise the project. The proposal must be formally approved by the supervisor before the student is allowed to enrol in the unit.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

8261 Research Project in Allied Health PG (6cp).

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

Planning a research proposal, use of bibliographic management system, basic statistics.
Availability for enrolment in 2024 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
2023 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 06 February 2023 Online Prof Jennie Scarvell
2023 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 31 July 2023 Online Prof Jennie Scarvell
2024 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 05 February 2024 Online Prof Jennie Scarvell
2024 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 29 July 2024 Online Prof Jennie Scarvell
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

Recommended Online Resources

http://methods.sagepub.com/   Sage Research Methods Online site is a diverse range of materials on research planning, for quantitative, qualitative and all kinds of research. There are e-books, but also video, short books, and guides. Access through the UC Library. 

Liamputtong (Ed). Research Methods in Health - UC Library online- see Reading List in Canvas.

Suggested Readings: see canvas for Reading List.

Groves, Robert M  Survey methodology  2nd ed; 2009 Available online.

Polgar S & Thomas SA (2020), Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences, Churchill Livingstone. UC library call number R850.P54 Available online in Sem 2.

Hurley et al, Research Methods, A Framework for Evidence based clinical practice. R850 H 87, 2011

Boland. Doing a Systematic Review. A student's guide. UC library call numberLB2369 D65 - 3 day loan section.

Barzun J & Graff HF (2004), The modern researcher, 6th edn, Thomson, Australia. UC library call number LB2369.B36 2004.

Bryman A (2008), Social research methods. 3rd edn, Oxford University Press, Oxford. UC library call number  H62.B782 2008.

Duffy A, Deakin V, Narkiewicz E & Wilson K (2007), Guide to writing in allied health courses : writing laboratory reports, essays and seminar reports, preparing for exams and presenting seminars, 2nd edn, University of Canberra. UC library call number PE1475.G84 2007.

Robson C (2002), Real world research: A resource for social scientists and practitioner-researchers, 2nd edn, Wiley-Blackwell. UC library call number H62,R627 3 day loan section

Taylor BJ, Kermode S & Roberts K (2006), Research in nursing and health care: evidence for practice, 3rd ed, Thomson, South Melbourne, Victoria. ISBN 0170123154.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Submit all assignments and assessed materials online via Canvas.

Special assessment requirements

Extension requests must be submitted by email, using the approved form in MyUC.

The usual extension rules apply with regard to RAP's, illlness and other unforeseen circumstances. In "Research Project" there are also projects that run late. These students will need the mentor to provide support documentation to attach to the extension form. 

Supplementary assessment

See policy above.

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.

Moderation

 

Moderation of assessment items:

All assessment items, including exams, are internally reviewed and moderated before they are published in unit outlines, listed on canvas, or printed out for the final exam period. This review of assessment items is performed by another academic within the same field who has a good understanding of the subject matter and is be done as part of the unit curriculum review.  

 

Moderation of marking: 

There is a random selection of assessment items that are moderated in a unit, including all failed assignments (excluding exams). The moderation of passing assessment items is based on a sample chosen randomly, on a percentage basis at different grade levels or the full range of submitted items to develop a common view about performance.

Learner engagement

This is a large piece of work, over a long time period. It is important to set yourself small milestone deadlines and targets, to make sure you get it done. Make sure you plan time carefully, and stick to a routine for learning. 

Make sure and keep a record of your mentor meetings.

Inclusion and engagement

Please let the unit convenor know ASAP is you will be needing an extension on any assignments. We will be happy to discuss the best ways to make "Research Project' successful for you.

Participation requirements

There are real-time seminars in this unit to attend.

There are meetings with your mentor and study group to attend. Committment to this contact with your group and mentor is essential. Failure to attend these meetings will be taken into consideration during assessment and applications for extensions.

Required IT skills

IT skills may be required for specific projects or specific analysis. Discuss with your mentor.

Examples:

Statistical analysis software Jamovi (freeware), or SPSS (avaiallble in UC computer labs or via VPN)

Covidence software (UC licence from Library) is commonly used for systematic reviews

Qualtrics software (UC licence, on Research innovations services web page) is commonly used for designing and distributing surveys.

In-unit costs

None

Work placement, internships or practicums

There is a research project, and for some people this will occur off campus.

Additional information

N/A

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