Unit rationale, description and aim
Rigorous and ethical science is the foundation of evidence-based practice. It contributes to the academic, clinical, and/or industry-related development of policy and practice in health care across all Biomedical and Health Science disciplines. This unit introduces students to the scope and range of research methods available in biomedical and health professions. The unit will assist students in understanding the research process, levels of evidence, qualitative and quantitative research design, the steps taken for development of biomedical and health-related research questions, selection of appropriate research methods to address those questions, and identifying, appraising and synthesising existing research studies that underpin those questions. Students will learn to consider all aspects of research design through an ethical lens, with particular regard to the role culture plays in the design and conduct of an ethical research program. This unit aims to provide the opportunity for students to develop practical research skills and an ability to critically assess the quality of biomedical and health science research.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Develop and critically assess strategies to search...
Learning Outcome 01
Critically reflect on the ethical principles that ...
Learning Outcome 02
Critically reflect on ethical conduct in research ...
Learning Outcome 03
Critically appraise research methods in biomedical...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Basic terms in research
- Philosophy of science
- Inductive and deductive reasoning in health sciences research
- The ethics process and ethical considerations in research practice
- National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans
- Australian Code for Responsible Conduct in Human Research
- The Declaration of Helsinki
- Partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in research
- Introduction to the quantitative research paradigm
- Strengths and weaknesses of the quantitative research paradigm
- Introduction to the qualitative research paradigm
- Strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research paradigm
- Introduction to the use of mixed methods
- Levels of evidence in quantitative and qualitative research
- Systematic reviews (e.g., PICO/PECO and/or SMART principles; inclusion/exclusion criteria; following PRISMA guidelines; using referencing software; searching use key terms, etc.)
- List of useful and relevant electronic databases
- How to ask qualitative and quantitative research questions
- Research question, aims, and hypotheses
- Critiquing the components of quantitative research methodology
- Critiquing the components of qualitative research methodology
- Associations between variables (e.g., exposure and outcome variables)
- Evaluation of research
- Research translation
Assessment strategy and rationale
Please note that assessment is the same for students undertaking intensive, multi-mode or online mode.
A range of assessments will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. To complete this unit, students need to obtain an aggregate mark of equal to or greater than 50%.
Three assessment tasks have been designed for this unit. Assessment Task 1 will require students to demonstrate the advanced knowledge and practical skills needed to effectively search library databases and use appropriate referencing software. Assessment Task 2 is a critical reflection on the role of ethics in biomedical and health science research. This assessment will require students to demonstrate an advanced understanding of the fundamental importance of the ethics process before conducting research and/or ethical conduct as a part of the research. Assessment Task 3 is a critical appraisal of research studies that requires students to demonstrate an advanced understanding and demonstration of research design by critiquing the components of research methodology and assessing the relative strengths and weaknesses of particular research methods and techniques.
All assessment will be submitted electronically.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1 Written task: Develop and criticall...
Assessment 1
Written task: Develop and critically assess a comprehensive literature search strategy to address a research question.
20%
Assessment 2 Multimedia task: Critically discuss...
Assessment 2
Multimedia task: Critically discuss ethical issues in biomedical and health science research.
35%
Assessment 3 Multimedia task: Critically apprais...
Assessment 3
Multimedia task: Critically appraise a quantitative or qualitative research study or a systematic review.
45%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
HLSC406 is offered in multi-mode, intensive, or online mode.
Multi-mode (whole semester and intensive delivery)
In multi-mode, essential theory and concepts will be delivered via online modules with face to face activity, using an evidence-based, student-centred teaching and active learning approach to support students in exploring theoretical and practical knowledge of research design in a biomedical and health science context. Learning is reinforced through facilitated tutorial activities involving reading, writing, discussion, and problem solving, which provides students with the opportunity to apply lecture content to specific biomedical and health contexts/scenarios, and progressively develop their ability to apply research methods to contemporary health issues.
Online mode
In online mode, students acquire essential theoretical and practical knowledge of research methods in an evidence-based, flexible online learning environment, which involves a series of specifically designed learning activities. This learning is extended and reinforced through readings, online discussion forums and/or other interactive activities to develop an understanding of research methods.