Unit Outline

This unit allows students to develop the methodological framework and tools by which a research project on a contemporary healthcare management issue can be undertaken. Students will conceptualise and prepare their project applying the values and principles of research integrity, considering risk, benefit and consent issues. Students will gain the skills to appraise the application and matching of methods to research questions. Students will have opportunities to engage in industry case studies about management of ethical issues and research protocol development.

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.	Critique the process of systematic and ethical research.
2.	Compare and contrast the robustness of different research methods.
3.	Determine and justify the most appropriate research methods for addressing an organisational issue.
4.	Evaluate critical aspects of ethical research.
5.	Assemble the capacity and skills to undertake ethical research.

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:	Short Answer	Week 3	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Research Scope Report	Week 7	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	Research Protocol and Ethics Report	Week 11	45 %	LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Short Answer

Task Description:

Short answer assessments are designed to allow critical discussion of key concepts introduced in the unit and readings. The relevant topic for this written short answer is the practical application of mixed methods in health services research with a specific vulnerable population. This includes discussing the advantages and disadvantages of using mixed methods against other research methods to draw valid and reliable outcomes in research involving a specific vulnerable population.

Task Length:

1500 words (Plus/Minus 10%)

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Appraise the need to justify the most appropriate research methods to address health services research questions with vulnerable populations.	LO3
2	Compare and contrast the robustness of mixed methods research against other research methods.	LO2
3	Explain the ethical considerations specific to a vulnerable group of participants, according to the latest National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research in the Australian health system.	LO4
4	Apply academic and professional conventions to the organisation and presentation of the short answer, reflecting on the knowledge of systematic and ethical research.	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Research Scope Report

Task Description:

A research scope report helps a researcher define question/s to be investigated within achievable research objectives. This assessment task aims for you to explain the methodological steps a researcher should follow to define a research question, including investigating the research context, compiling a literature search strategy plan, and, determining the research design and data analysis. You will prepare this written report, assuming to be a health or social care organisation manager, designing research that addresses a strategic and operational need of the chosen organisation.

Task Length:

2,200 words (10% +/- word count) The word -count includes such items as headings, quotes, and in-text citations. It does not include such items as the title page, table of contents, and reference list at the end of the assignment.

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify a healthcare management issue for investigation, reflecting on the knowledge of systematic and ethical research.	LO1
2	Discuss a literature search strategy plan to support the research question.	LO1
3	Construct mapping of a research scope, keeping the research question, design/methods, and analysis well-aligned	LO2
4	Justify a plan for data analysis to address a specific organisational issue.	LO3
5	Appraise the possible limitations of a research design/methods in addressing the healthcare management issue.	LO3
6	Apply academic and professional conventions to the organisation and presentation of the research scope report, reflecting the skill of conducting ethical and systematic research.	LO5

Assessment Task 3: Research Protocol and Ethics Report

Task Description:

Developing a research protocol helps to identify and manage any ethical issues associated with conducting a research project. In this assessment, construct a research protocol, detailing the project’s research design, noting any ethical issues and ways to manage them for the health management research submitted in the previous assessments in this unit.

Task Length:

3,200 words (10% +/- word count) The word -count includes such items as headings, quotes, and in-text citations. It does not include such items as any appendices, title page, table of contents, and reference list at the end of the assignment.

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

45 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Summarise an organisational issue for investigation, reflecting on the knowledge of systematic and ethical research.	LO3
2	Elaborate a research design in organisational research, justifying robustness of the methods as a component of systematic and ethical research.	LO3
3	Justify relevant inclusion and exclusion criteria for research data in organisational research, applying principles and values of ethical conduct of research.	LO4
4	Discuss informed consent/waiver of consent process in organisational research, applying principles and values of ethical conduct of research	LO4
5	Appraise confidentiality and privacy dimensions of organisational research, applying principles and values of ethical conduct of research	LO4
6	Explain data storage and record retention dimensions of organisational research, applying principles and values of ethical conduct of research	LO4
7	Formulate a research communication plan for research participants, industry, and academia, applying components of systematic and ethical process of research.	LO5
8	Justify major milestones and resource requirements in a research plan, applying components of systematic and ethical process of research	LO5
9	Apply academic and professional conventions to the organisation and presentation of the research protocol, reflecting the skill of conducting systematic and ethical research.	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.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

There is no prescribed text for this unit. The learning materials of the unit will be drawn from publications, journal articles and other credible sources/websites . You will be able to access the learning materials through the Learning Hub section of the MyLO unit.