units

HSC3131

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Monash University

Undergraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2015 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

print version

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

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

LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational UnitDepartment of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine
OfferedCaulfield First semester 2015 (Day)
Coordinator(s)Dr Stephanie Tanamas

Synopsis

The unit provides the necessary skills for students to perform a quantitative design, data management and statistical analysis of a research project. This unit is a more specific development of quantitative health and medical research methodology that builds on the introductory material in 2nd year of the course. It will involve designing a research protocol, including defining the research question, performing a literature review, selection of type of study, defining a study population and sampling strategies, questionnaire design, ethics approval, and oral and written presentation of a protocol. It will also include sessions on managing data and choosing a statistical analysis approach. Students will choose a health research question of interest to them and design a research protocol for studying that particular question.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Develop an answerable research question that is appropriate for the gap in research
  2. Perform a literature review around the topic and research question
  3. Choose the appropriate study design & identify their strengths & limitations
  4. Design a research project/protocol including project timeline
  5. Define a study population and sampling strategies to answer the research question posed
  6. Develop a specific approach to data collection and data collection method
  7. Develop an approach to data analysis that is suitable to their research
  8. Further cultivate skills in conducting ethical and culturally sensitive research
  9. Present a written research protocol.

Assessment

2 x Written assignments (Total 3,000 words) (30%)
Group presentation (Oral) (15%)
In-class group work (15%)
Final report (3,500 words) (40%)

Hurdle: 80% attendance at tutorials.

Workload requirements

3 contact hours per week plus 9 hours of private study.

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Prerequisites

One of (HSC2141, PHH2141) AND one of (HSC2142, PHH2142).