090055 Research in Health
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): (090050 Evidence for Informing Practice OR 96314 Evidence for Informing Practice)) OR (090050 Evidence for Informing Practice AND 090056 Specialty Clinical Practice AND 090047 Applied Pathophysiology in Practice AND (96326 Improving Safety and Quality in Healthcare OR 096326 Improving Safety and Quality in Healthcare)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 96319 Research in Health
Recommended studies:
Successful completion of 96314 Evidence for Informing Practice is recommended prior to commencing this subject.
Description
This subject is designed to develop students’ research knowledge and skills on how to plan and conduct original, culturally and ethically appropriate research from concept to completion. Based on their understanding of the literature and issues relevant to their practice, students will develop an original research question and critically analyse a range of research designs and methods, and identify the most appropriate design and methods to answer the question. With an ethical lens, students justify the potential risks and benefits of their proposed research to the study population, healthcare practice and policy as they develop and refine a feasible design that reflects methodological quality and rigor.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Identify a research opportunity relevant to their practice and develop an original study aim or question that justifies investigation. |
|---|---|
| B. | Design a feasible, culturally and ethically appropriate research proposal to answer a research question and is reflective of methodological quality and rigor. |
| C. | Apply ethical principles, practice and accountability throughout the research process. |
| D. | Critically reflect on the implications, limitations, potential risks and benefits of research on research participants, healthcare outcomes, practice and/or policy. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Are reflective critical thinkers who examine and contribute to practice, policy, and research to achieve clinical excellence and enhance health outcomes (1.0)
- Identify, and evaluate and apply the best available evidence for translation into practice to achieve optimal health outcomes (1.1)
- Demonstrate comprehensive clinical judgement and clinical reasoning that is based on evidence and reflects relevant professional codes and guidelines (1.2)
- Are socially, culturally and ethically aware and accountable when engaging with health care consumers, families/significant others, interdisciplinary teams, communities, organisations and authorities (3.0)
- Communicate effectively and professionally in diverse and dynamic situations (4.0)
- Embody the professional qualities appropriate to the scope of their role (5.0)
- Demonstrate professional capabilities to work effectively with and for Indigenous peoples and communities across the health profession (6.0)
- Critically reflect on Indigenous Australian contexts to inform professional cultural capability to work effectively with and for, Indigenous Australians within the health and social care profession (6.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
Critical thinking: Are reflective critical thinkers who examine and contribute to practice, policy and research to achieve clinical excellence and enhance health outcomes (1.0)
Leadership: Are visionary, innovative and responsive leaders (2.0)
Accountability: Are socially, culturally and ethically aware and accountable when engaging with health care consumers, families/significant others, interdisciplinary teams, communities, organisations and authorities (3.0)
Communication: Communicate effectively and professionally in diverse and dynamic situations (4.0)
Professional qualities: Embody the professional qualities appropriate to the scope of their role (5.0)
Indigenous cultural respect: Demonstrate professional capabilities to work effectively with and for Indigenous peoples and communities across the health profession (6.0)
Teaching and learning strategies
Orientation activities
Preparation for the session - You are expected to undertake activities during orientation week. These activities are designed to introduce you to the subject and your peers, and will assist you to prepare for the subject's assessment tasks.
Independent learning activities
Relevant readings, videos and activities will be made available online relevant to the topic of the week. This will support your ability to progress successfully throughout the subject and complete assessment items effectively. The online material aims to enhance your understanding of the topic or delve deeper into a more specific area, compare experiences and ideas with others and gain feedback. Information and links to all these learning activities can be accessed via Canvas as well as the subject outline.
Zoom meetings
You are strongly encouraged to attend all scheduled Zoom meetings as they will prepare you for the subject’s assessment tasks. Additionally, they provide opportunities for group activities, discussion, self-assessment, peer review and formative feedback from the subject coordinator and your teaching team. The schedule for this subject’s zoom meetings is below in the program section.
Feedback
Feedback in this subject takes several forms including self-assessment, peer review, automatic feedback from interactive activities and from the teaching team. Formative feedback throughout the subject aims to increase your performance in summative assessments.
Feedback and changes from previous subject offering
Feedback from the previous offering was positive and no major changes have been made. Several resources and readings have been updated and/or refined to maintain subject quality, accuracy and relevance.
Content (topics)
A range of research methods and related elements for both qualitative and quantitative paradigms are explored as students develop the methodology and ethical concerns for an original research proposal. The subject will cover the following topics:
Module1: Developing a research question and study aim
- Developing a research question and aim
- Theory, theoretical framework and methodology
- Understanding research paradigms
- Introduction to qualitative methodology
- Introduction to quantitative methodology
Module 2: Research methods
- Research process
- Research methods and design
- Steps to research
- Ethical considerations
Module 3: Data collection
- Collecting qualitative research data
- Collecting quantitative research data
- Ethical considerations
- Study validity and trustworthiness
Module 4: Data management and analysis
- Data management
- Data analysis
- Ethical considerations
Module 5: Research integrity, accountability, and ethics documentation
- Application of ethical principles
- Ethical risk
- Research accountability
- Validity and trustworthiness of study methods
- Human research ethics applications
- Ethical considerations for quality improvement projects
Module 6: Resources
- Resources
- Budget
- Constructing a study timeline
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Study context
| Intent: | Each assessment item is designed and sequenced to support iterative development of the research proposal methodology over the teaching session. This early low-stakes assessment task enables you to state the clinical significance of your proposed original research, and to provide a justification for the study. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0 and 1.2 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Length: | 400 words +/-10% (excluding the reference list) |
Assessment task 2: Background literature and rationale for proposal
| Intent: | This assessment task builds on Assessment 1 and assesses your knowledge and understanding of research and the practical components/steps (from design to consent) that are required to develop a research proposal/protocol. The task requires 1. critical analysis and evaluation of the most appropriate study methodology and method to answer your research question 2. demonstrate an application of ethical principles, pratice and accountability throughout the research process and 3. Critically reflect on Indigenous Australian contexts to inform professional cultural capability to work effectively with Indigenous Australians within the health and social care profession |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B and C This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 1.1, 3.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 6.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Length: | Part 1: 300 words Total word count 1200 words +/-10% (excluding the reference list). |
Assessment task 3: Complete Research Plan
| Intent: | This assessment builds on assessments 1 and 2 and provides you with the opportunity to apply your evolving knowledge and skills in research methods and understanding of the ethical, social and cultural considerations that an accountable researcher should demonstrate. Critical analysis and assessment of the most appropriate way to undertake your data collection, management and analysis will be required as well as an application of your ethical knowledge and skills to complete the ethics form template. There must be congruence between assessment 1, assessment 2 and assessment 3. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 1.1, 3.0 and 5.0 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | Part 1: 500 words +/- 10% (excluding the reference list) |
Required texts
There is no required text for this Subject.
Recommended texts
We recommend that you access a range of texts and other resources to guide you in learning about specific research methods related to your selected study design and method.
Some examples below are available from the library:
Boswell, C & Cannon, S. (2020). Introduction to nursing research. Incorporating Evidence-based practice ( 5th Edition) Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Bowers, D. (Ed.). (2014). Medical statistics from scratch: An introduction for health professionals. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.
Liamputtong, P., Anderson, K., & Bondas, T. (2016). Research Methods in Health (Third edition). Oxford University Press.
Liamputtong, P. (2019). Handbook of research methods in health social sciences. Springer.
Liamputtong, Pranee.(2010) Performing Qualitative Cross-Cultural Research, Cambridge University Press
NHMRC (2019). A guide supporting the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.
NHMRC (2018). National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) - Updated 2018
NHMRC (2018). Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities
Shakespeare, M., Fisher, M., Mackean, T., & Wilson, R. (2020). Theories of Indigenous and non-Indigenous wellbeing in Australian health policies. Health Promotion International, 36(3), pp 669-679
Thomas, D. R., & Hodges, I. (2010). Designing and managing your research project: core skills for social and health research. Sage
Taylor, & Francis, K. (2013). Qualitative research in the health sciences?: methodologies, methods, and processes (1st edition). Routledge.
Whitehead, D., Ferguson, C., LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2016). Nursing & midwifery research: Methods and appraisal for evidence-based practice, (Sixth Edition). Mosby.
References
Additional resources and references are provided in Canvas.
Other resources
UTS Student Centre
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Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)
Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts
For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and Canvas at: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/.
UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, health literature databases, workshops and bookable study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with your questions available via online chat, phone and in person. W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666. Please check the library website about access to services during COVID lockdown.
Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.
HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733.
Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.
The Accessibility and Financial Assistance Service
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