HIP202 Research for Health Practice (8)

This subject will develop students' skills in finding, understanding and evaluating research evidence relevant to different types of health-related questions. This subject will promote a sophisticated understanding of evidence-based practice, including its limitations and possible risks. A range of research designs and specific research methods are considered in terms of their appropriateness for addressing different types of questions, taking into account broader contextual factors and possible ethical issues. Indigenous research methodologies are included, with a focus on Australian Indigenous research. Students will develop the knowledge, skills and confidence required to search for published research on a question and to evaluate the quality of the reporting, the appropriateness of the methods used and the validity and real-world value of the authors' conclusions. Consideration is also given to the possible social-justice implications of research findings and how they are reported. This subject is thus foundational for evidence based practice and will inform students' life-long learning as research-literate and ethical health professionals.

Availability

Session 1 (30)
On Campus
Albury-Wodonga Campus
Orange Campus
Port Macquarie Campus
Online
Albury-Wodonga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: HIP202. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Community Health

Incompatible Subjects

HLT322

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to identify the types of research best suited to answering different types of health-related questions
  • be able to discuss risks connected to evidence-based practice, considering issues of cultural and individual difference, consumer voice, and different ways of knowing
  • be able to describe research methodologies appropriate to Indigenous Australian people and their communities
  • be able to conduct a strategic literature search for research articles relevant to different types of health questions
  • be able to clearly and succinctly summarise research studies and their findings in a professional conversation
  • be able to correctly interpret descriptive and inferential statistics commonly found in quantitative health research
  • be able to appraise the quality of reporting in published health research and provide sound reasoning for this judgement
  • be able to appraise the validity of research-based conclusions and provide reasoning in terms of the reported methods and results
  • be able to evaluate the usefulness and transferability of research findings and provide sound reasoning for these judgements
  • be able to, where applicable, identify possible social-justice consequences of how findings are (or may be) reported

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Types of research and research publications
  • 'Evidence based practice' definitions, limitations and possible risks, including the importance of other types of knowledge and cultural appropriateness
  • Using a research database to find published research relevant to different types of health-related questions
  • Qualitative data collection and analysis methods and designs, and their strengths, weaknesses and associated ethical issues
  • Indigenous research methodologies with a focus on Australian Indigenous research
  • Quantitative data collection and analysis methods and designs, and their strengths, weaknesses and associated ethical issues
  • Descriptive versus inferential statistics
  • Statistical versus clinical significance
  • Inferential statistics in 'difference between means' studies
  • Inferential statistics in 'associations between variables' studies
  • Inferential statistics in 'predicting outcomes' studies
  • Critically appraising research in terms of quality of reporting, methodological appropriateness, conclusion validity, practical relevance, and ethical implications

Contact

For further information about courses and subjects outlined in the CSU handbook please contact:

Current students

Future students

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2019. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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