In this unit students will undertake applied research in the health sciences that can be individualised to suit interests and clinical specialty, or undertaken as a group project. The research conducted is not restricted to research laboratories or expensive equipment or funding, but may cover activities that address issues relating to health outcomes, health care, professional practice or delivery of health services. Research will be conducted in accordance with principles of evidence-based health care and scientific method. This unit encourages a multidisciplinary approach between students from different disciplines. It provides real-world research experience and develops skills in project management, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, effective communication, problem solving and critical thinking. Students are expected to work closely with a supervisor(s) and independently.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. conduct a defined research project either as an individual or as part of a team, based on the specific research question developed in the pre-requisite unit;
2. demonstrate competence in applying scientific method to the research process; and
3. prepare a report that will be suitable for publication in a scientific journal, in the format of an original research paper or review.

Prerequisites

Permission of unit convener. Students must have completed a Research Planning unit. For this permission to be given, the student must draw up a project proposal, preferably in consultation with the staff member likely to supervise the project. The proposal must be formally approved by the supervisor before the student is allowed to enrol in the unit.

Assumed knowledge

Planning a research proposal, use of bibliographic management system, basic statistics.