Unit Outline

This unit will equip students with an understanding of the research methods used in health disciplines 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 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	Formulate [feasible and contextually relevant] health research questions using appropriate frameworks.
2	Differentiate between quantitative and qualitative health research designs, including their theoretical foundations.
3	Identify appropriate sampling, data collection and analysis methods in health research.
4	Critically appraise health research by evaluating different levels of evidence, identifying sources of bias, and assessing methodological limitations.
5	Examine how culture, context and ethical principles influence health 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 Tasks	Week 4	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Critical Appraisal	Week 6	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	Presentation	Week 12	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Short Answer Tasks

Task Description:

There are two short answer tasks in MyLO, aligned with Modules 1-4. Each task includes 4-8 questions assessing knowledge through contextual analysis, ethical reasoning, and reflective interpretation.

Tasks can only be attempted once. Prompts are drawn from local case studies, unpublished data and lecturer-generated prompts. Responses may be submitted as text, audio, video or annotated images.

Tasks are due in weeks 4 and 8 and are weighted at 10% each.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Formulates clear and feasible health research questions or hypotheses using appropriate frameworks.	LO1
2	Selects appropriate research methods, demonstrating understanding of qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods and their implications for study design.	LO2, LO3
3	Identify bias and limitations in health research, evaluates evidence, and suggest mitigation strategies.	LO4
4	Explains how ethical and contextual factors affect health research.	LO5

Assessment Task 2: Critical Appraisal

Task Description:

This task involves critically appraising one of three locally relevant health research sources. Each source reflects different approaches to health research and may include a research proposal, a government report, or an unpublished study.

Identify and apply an appropriate critical appraisal framework to evaluate the selected source, focusing on research design methods, potential biases, limitations, findings, and relevance. Submit an annotated version of the chosen source to demonstrate engagement with the material and support the appraisal. As part of this assessment, you may be required to provide a further learning check in the form of a Viva (live question and answer session). We will contact you directly, to discuss this, if needed.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply an appropriate critical appraisal framework to evaluate the research question, design, and theoretical foundations	LO1, LO2
2	Analyse sampling, data collection and analysis methods, identifying potential sources of bias and limitations	LO3, LO4
3	Interpret findings and evaluate external validity, including relevance to local context, population, and health priorities	LO4, LO5
4	Communicate using standard academic language and referencing conventions to demonstrate understanding of research principles	LO1, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Presentation

Task Description:

Deliver a 20-minute oral presentation of a structured research proposal using PowerPoint slides with recorded audio. The proposed study must address one of three hypothetical topics that reflect locally relevant health issues and different health research methods.

Formulate a feasible research question addressing the chosen topic and provide a rationale for the proposed study. Explain and justify the study design and methods chosen, addressing potential sources of bias and limitations. Explain how cultural, contextual, and ethical considerations have influenced the design choices. Include a reflective commentary (1-2 minutes) summarising key learnings from the task and how these insights will be applied in your local context, such as a current workplace, future research or capstone project.

Confirmation of Learning (CoL)
Following marking of this task, a random selection of students will be asked to undertake a live, online question and answer session with the lecturer as a confirmation of learning check. This will be based on your PowerPoint presentation. We will contact you directly, via email, if you are required to complete this.

Task Length:

20 Minutes

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Formulate a clear, feasible, and contextually relevant research question and provide a well-justified study rationale	LO1, LO5
2	Design a robust and ethical study, justifying methodology, sampling, data collection and analysis, and addressing bias and limitations	LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Reflect on key learnings and explain how cultural, contextual, and ethical insights will inform future research or professional practice	LO5
4	Communicate using standard academic language and referencing conventions to demonstrate understanding of research principles	LO1, LO3

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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.