Unit Outline

This unit will equip students with an understanding of the research methods used in health disciplines in order to interpret published research, and design research of their own. The Unit content includes the theoretical underpinning of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and the links between the two. Students will learn how to search for and critically appraise published research in order to design future research projects, and make evidence based decisions to improve practice in clinical settings. Through the course of the semester, students will engage in the skills required to produce a research proposal. These steps include formulating a research question, interrogating background literature, considering ethical requirements and selecting an appropriate research design.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Define the theoretical principles that underpin qualitative and quantitative research and the links between the two
2	Critically appraise health research by applying and understanding of levels of evidence, different forms of research bias, and methodological limitations
3	Demonstrate how to search for, appraise and synthesise published literature in order to formulate a study rationale
4	Formulate research questions and testable hypotheses and identify appropriate research methods for their investigation
5	Apply knowledge of health research methods to the design of a robust and ethical study proposal

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Discussion Board participation	Week 3	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Literature Search	Week 8	40 %	LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Research Proposal	Week 13	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Discussion Board participation

Task Description:

Students will contribute to four discussion boards which will be assessed.
The discussion board tasks provide the student with opportunities to complete small tasks (application of new knowledge and skills) that will lead to the development of their research question, search strategy, and consider methods that may be useful in their proposed research. This has been designed to break the research process into smaller, manageable tasks.

A set of guidelines about appropriate use of discussion boards and “netiquette” is available in the Unit MyLO site and Module One.

This assessment includes 4 discussion board tasks, worth 5 marks each.

**Please note each Module’s discussion board thread will open and close in a rolling fashion over Semester to ensure your learning experience is maximised. Sharing your ideas with your peers will provide opportunities for you to learn from one another as you design your projects.

Task Length:

200 words per discussion board (four discussion boards)

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	The Unit Co-ordinator will mark four discussion board posts. A mark will be awarded to each student throughout semester based on their contribution on their four assessed discussion board posts.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment Task 2: Literature Search

Task Description:

Literature Search
Students are required to undertake a literature search and review the relevant literature on a research question of their choice. The literature review must include the following sections:
- Background
- Search Strategy (search terms, databases and other sources searched, criteria for how literature was judged as of sufficient quality for inclusion in results)
- Results (number and type of literature sources found, included and excluded)
- Summary of Literature Found and how it relates to the research question
- Conclusion

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe the search strategy used to undertake the literature review and present this as a Methods section	LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Synthesise the literature found from the initial search in order to give readers an overview of the research literature on your topic of interest	LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Demonstrate ability in academic writing:  Expression and English conventions (spelling, punctuation, grammar);  Use of literature sources;  Referencing of literature sources.	LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Research Proposal

Task Description:

Research Proposal

Task Length:

2500 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Research proposal includes a well justified and articulated research question, and needs assessment/study rationale and identifies an appropriate research methodology and method to investigate this question	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
2	Research proposal includes sections on data collection methods, data analysis, ethics, and practical considerations that are well considered and supported by scholarly literature or needs within a professional context	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
3	Demonstrate ability in academic writing:  Expression and English conventions (spelling, punctuation, grammar)  Use of literature  Referencing of literature sources	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.