HLH401 Advanced Research Methods
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | HLH401 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | PUB561 or (XNB251 and XNB255) |
| Antirequisite(s): | PUB416 |
| Equivalent(s): | HLB401 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Completion of a basic statistics unit is assumed knowledge. |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,118 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,104 |
| International unit fee | $4,488 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | HLH401 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | PUB561 or (XNB251 and XNB255) or XNH279 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Completion of a basic statistics unit is assumed knowledge. |
| Coordinators: | Helen MacLaughlin | h.maclaughlin@qut.edu.au Danielle Gallegos | danielle.gallegos@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit enables you to apply advanced knowledge and research skills to a specific area of professional interest and to develop you own research project. The unit provides opportunities to consolidate your critical analysis and problem solving skills in an autonomous way to prepare for and integrate your theoretical knowledge with a work related Capstone project. Specifically you will develop the skills needed to formulate a theoretically sound research questions or hypotheses, select appropriate research methodologies, data collection methods and analyses needed to answer your research questions or test hypotheses, and to interpret and report the outcomes. It will prepare you to adopt a questioning and critical approach to your clinical practice and develop critical thinking and reasoning skills applied to the evidence around a topic of your choice. You will undertake a systematic literature search and a critical review of the evidence.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically search and evaluate the literature to identify gaps in current evidence;
- Assess and interpret quantitative data using a statistical package;
- Identify a problem and formulate an answerable research question, identify outcome measures and develop appropriate study methodology for data collection and analysis;
- Justify and explain the research question and methodology for appraisal.
Content
1. Formulation of a research question and hypothesis
2. Research ethics and processes for ethics applications
3. Critical appraisal of literature, systematic search strategies and use of referencing management software
4. Study design, including sampling methodology and sample size, and the selection of tools for measuring outcomes
5. Data collection methods for clinical research
6. Quality data handling, statistical analysis and interpretation
7. Overview of qualitative research
8. Data presentation and interpretation
9. Communicating research outcomes
Learning Approaches
This unit engages you in your learning through a theory-to-practice approach. You will develop your critical knowledge of research methods applied to your discipline area and use generic research skills applied to a real practice problem identified through a structured research searching process. Handling of quantitative data using a standard database will enable data analysis skills to be moderated prior to application in your research project. Knowledge and skills will be further applied during Work Integrated Learning experiences where you will engage with an academic and/or alternate project supervisor to develop your research question and proposal.
The unit adopts a blended learning approach. It is expected that you will engage with your discipline specific project supervisor to develop the research question and proposal.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive formative feedback on participation in tutorials and how they present and critique literature. It is anticipated that as you become more confident and skilled, questions and feedback from peers will occur in these tutorials. Feedback on issues identified in the computer lab activity and qualitative data workshop will also be given. It is expected that a key discipline statistical expert will be available for specific issues identified in discipline specific methodology. Written feedback on both the written systematic critical review of the literature and the research proposal will be provided in addition to the criteria sheet. Generic comments about common problems experienced by students and results of the statistical analysis of the standard dataset will be provided on QUT Canvas.
Assessment
Overview
Your assessment items are designed to measure your attainment of the learning outcomes stated above.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Critical Review of Literature
Systematic search and critical review of the literature and synthesis of the current evidence in scope of a specified research question/controversy.
This structured and focussed literature review will enable you to demonstrate your ability to systematically search the current literature, critical analysis and appraisal skills, as well as high level written communication. The topic of your review will be determined in consultation with your supervisor for the research project component.
This assessment replicates what researchers do in practice in reviewing the literature to inform the development of research questions and research design.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Problem Solving Task Quiz
Quantitative data analysis and interpretation
Participation in the statistics labs will enable you to analyse and interpret a supplied statistical output for bivariate, multivariate and survival analyses.
Assessment: Research Proposal
Research proposal
You will take on the role of a health researcher to develop a research proposal. The proposal will enable you to synthesise the problems identified in the literature into an answerable research question, identify appropriate outcome measures, and methods to analyse data collected to answer the question chosen. The proposal should incorporate a focused background developed for Assessment 1.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Hagger-Johnson, Gareth (2014) Introduction to Research Methods and Data Analysis in the Health Sciences Routledge.
Bowling, Ann (2014). Research Methods in Health: Investigating Health and Health Services 4th ed. Berkshire: Open University Press
Peat, Jennifer & Barton, Belinda (2014). Medical statistics: a guide to data analysis and critical appraisal 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons
Risk Assessment Statement
Substantial computer-based work will be required. Students should refer to the guidelines for safe work practices contained in the QUT Guidelines to Students. Students should ensure that their workstations are adjusted in accordance with these guidelines and that regular rest breaks are taken.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CS50 Bachelor of Radiation Therapy (Honours)
- Research principles, planning and methods
Relates to: Critical Review of Literature, Problem Solving Task Quiz - Critical thinking (analyse, interpret, evaluate, synthesise)
Relates to: Critical Review of Literature - Independent research and scholarship in radiation therapy
Relates to: Critical Review of Literature - Research appraisal and critique skills
Relates to: Critical Review of Literature, Problem Solving Task Quiz - Creative thinking to develop new knowledge through independent inquiry
Relates to: Research Proposal - Contribution to evidence-based practice
Relates to: Research Proposal - Apply research methods, design and process
Relates to: Research Proposal
XN52 Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours)
- Apply problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical reasoning to implement, analyse and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
Relates to: Critical Review of Literature, Research Proposal - Communicate and collaborate to transfer complex knowledge to clients and health professionals in a culturally safe manner.
Relates to: Research Proposal - Apply knowledge, skills, and clinical reasoning within the professional, legislative, and ethical standards of practice.
Relates to: Critical Review of Literature - Design, execute, and communicate research relevant to clinical exercise physiology practice.
Relates to: Critical Review of Literature, Problem Solving Task Quiz, Research Proposal