HSC3031 - Research Methods in Health Science

Leader(s): Ms Tsharni Zazryn

Offered

Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Australia faces many population and public health challenges including emerging and existing communicable diseases and alarming increases in many chronic diseases. Research to address the determinants of these health problems is of paramount importance to maintaining healthy populations. This unit provides opportunities for students to work on a project to develop real-world experience in research design, data collection and analysis. Research projects may include investigations into the social, cultural or economic determinants that promote and protect public and population health or that cause or mitigate illness and disease.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit, it is expected that the students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of public and population research design and methodologies;
2. Develop research questions and conduct a comprehensive literature review;
3. Apply knowledge and skills in research methods to real-world problems in communities and/or specific populations;
4. Work collaboratively in a research team;
5. Discuss the ethical dimensions of research methodologies;
6. Reflect on the professional attitudes and skills required of health professionals undertaking public and population health research;
7. Produce a research report.

Assessment

Literature review (individual) 20%; Research proposal (team) 20%; Team presentation 30%; Team research report 40%.

Contact hours

12 hours per week including contact time of 3 seminar hours plus 10 hours of fieldwork over the semester and 8 hours of private study per week.

Prerequisites

HSC1061 Introduction to Research in Health Science; HSC1072 Health Promotion 1;
HSC2031 Epidemiology.