Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

The honours project will be related to community development. Honours students initially will spend two weeks scoping a community-based program. They will continue to be involved with the facility for up to two days per week for the remainder of the semester. Students will identify a researchable question based on the scoping exercise. Then students will write up a study proposal and ethics application related to a community development research question. This unit will provide the students with the opportunity to consolidate their research knowledge and skills.

Objectives

1. Adopt an ethical and socially responsible approach to practice and practice based enquiry;
2. Interact with consumers and carers in a fieldwork practice setting acknowledging their rights and using strategies to integrate their lived experience of health issues into service planning and delivery;
3. Apply theoretical understanding of primary health, health promotion and population health in a practice setting;
4. Undertake a needs analysis by scoping an organizationally useful and occupationally relevant project and use findings to develop projects using best available evidence;
5. Develop strategies to empower service providers, community leaders, consumers and carers to determine and set priorities for change;
6. Explore the relevance of quantitative and qualitative research to occupational therapy practice;
7. Demonstrate understanding of qualitative and quantitative research designs and methods relevant to health professional practices and community development;
8. Describe key concepts and use basic methods in statistical data analysis;
9. Critique and integrate relevant research literature and theoretical material related to research topic;
10. Complete a research proposal which includes a literature review, research questions and appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative methodology;
11. Complete an ethics proposal suitable for submission to an ethics committee; and
12. Present and critique research issues in a public forum.

Assessment

Presentation of research proposal (20 minute presentation), Completion of research proposal (5000 words) and Essay on ethical issues (3000 words): 100%
Hurdle requirements: successful completion of 22 day fieldwork placement; 80% attendance at the placement; submission of fortnightly project reports; draft literature review and methodology sections of ethics application; completion of an ethics application.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Primrose Lentin

Prerequisites

IPE1011, BMA1901, BMA1902, OCC1011, OCC1012, OCC1022, OCC2011, OCC2020, OCC2022, PSY1011, PSY1022