Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 401403

Coordinator John Bidewell Opens in new window

Description This unit explores quantitative and qualitative research methods used to generate and expand knowledge in healthcare. The principal practice and policy questions in healthcare are identified, along with the research paradigms, methodologies, rationales, designs, sampling, data collection and measurement methods, analysis, controls over bias and validity, reporting methods and ethical standards applied to answer these questions and inform evidence-based practice. Practical experience is gained with tools for the appraisal of research evidence guiding practice. Workplace research and organisation research for quality assurance are included. Pathways to a professional career in research are explained.

School Health Sciences

Discipline Health, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Pre-requisite(s) HLTH 1012 OR
HLTH 1001

Equivalent Subjects HLTH 2021 Research Methods (Quantitative and Qualitative)

Assumed Knowledge

A basic understanding of research methods and levels of evidence.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Identify the principal research questions applicable to evidence-based practice in health
2. Apply the major quantitative and qualitative paradigms, methodologies, designs, methods and ethical considerations for answering the principal research questions in health
3. Analyse criteria and processes for enhancing the generalisability and applicability of qualitative and quantitative research evidence in health
4. Interpret quantitative and qualitative results in research reports
5. Utilise structured appraisal tools for assessing reporting quality of research evidence in health
6. Critique methods for workplace research
7. Distinguish pathways and processes for commencing a career in health research

Subject Content

1.Contribution of empirical research to the advancement of evidence-based practice and policy in healthcare
2.Types of research questions in healthcare
3.Levels of evidence in quantitative research
4.Research paradigms and methodologies
5.Research designs
6.Sampling in quantitative and qualitative research
7.Data collection methods in quantitative and qualitative research
8.Ethics and privacy in human research and the management of data
9.Data analysis in quantitative and qualitative research
10.Appraisal tools and their use for quantitative and qualitative research
11.Study and career pathways for professional research in health; funding and research teams
12.Research in the workplace: Action research, quality assurance, audits and benchmarking