Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Exercise and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Health Research Project

• Unit Code

  HST3501

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

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Description

This unit is designed to consolidate social research skills through the production of an independent research report. Specifically students will pursue in depth an area of interest in health science by conducting a health research project.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 unit from HST2122

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Apply different modes of inquiry and research skills to the analysis of a social health issue.
2. Design a health research project on a selected social health issue.
3. Implement a social health research project, including data collection and analysis.
4. Write a research report.

Unit Content

1. Analysis of data.
2. Data collection strategies relevant to the research problem.
3. Designing research intruments and ethical implications.
4. Development of appropriate research questions and application of an appropriate research design.
5. Presentation of final report.
6. Reviewing the literature and identifying theoretical frameworks.
7. Selection and formulation of a health research problem.
8. Writing up results and presenting findings.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-Campus A combination of lectures and workshops that incorporate case studies, small group activities and discussions to support each step in the students' research process. Online resources are also provided. Off-Campus E-learning, peer review exercises, on-line consultations to support each step in the students' research process. This unit actively engages students in the exploration of contemporary social health issues by allowing them to design and implement a social health research project of their choice. Students have the opportunity to explore their chosen issue, theoretically (literature review and methods development) and practically (by collecting data from their study participants). Students will be guided through self study and/or mentored in weekly workshops. The workshops will provide instruction on each step of the research process as they engaged with it and offer an opportunity for students to give and receive feedback from lecturer and peers. This unit seeks to create a collaborative and supportive research environment for students who wish to pursue their individual research goals.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• Lee, R. M. (1993). Doing research on sensitive topics. London: Sage.
• Willis, E. (1990). The social sciences and health research: the report of a workshop on the contribution of the social sciences to health research. Ballarat, VIC: National Health and Medical Research Council.
• Black, T. R. (1993). Evaluating social science research: An introduction. London: Sage.
• Bouma, G. D. (2000). The research process (4th ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
• Bowling, A. (1997). Measuring health: A review of quality of life measurement scales (2nd ed.). Milton Keynes, UK: Open University Press.
• Colquhoun, D, & Kellehear, A. (Eds.). (1993). Health research in practice: Political, ethical and methodological issues. Melbourne, VIC: Chapman & Hall.
• Daly, J., McDonald, I., & Willis, E. (Eds.). (1992). Researching health care: Designs, dilemmas, disciplines. London: Routledge.
• Dean, K. (Ed.). (1993). Population health research: Linking theory and methods. London: Sage.
• Foddy, W. (1993). Constructing questions for interviews and questionnaires: Theory and practice in social research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Gilmour, G., Campbell, M., & Becker, B. (1989). Needs assessment strategies for health education and health promotion. Indianapolis: Benchmark Press.
• Grady, K. E., & Strudler Wallston, B. (1988). Research in health care settings. London: Sage.
• Hart, E., & Bond, M. (1995). Action research for health and social care. St. Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
• Kellehear, A. (1993). The unobtrusive researcher: A guide to methods. St. Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
• Layder, D. (1993). New strategies in social research: An introduction and guide. Cambridge: Polity.
• Leeder, S. (Ed.). (1988). Research on health in human populations. Melbourne, VIC: Menzies Foundation.
• May, T. (1997). Social research: Issues, methods and process (2nd ed.). Milton Keynes, UK: Open University Press.
• Pickin, C., & St. Leger, S. (1992). Assessing health needs using the life cycle framework. Buckingham: Open University Press.
• Smith, D. L., & Hope, J. (1992). The health professional as researcher: Issues, problems and strategies. Wentworth Falls: Social Science Press.
• Wadsworth, Y. (1997). Everyday evaluation on the run (2nd ed.). St Leonards: Allen & Unwin.
• Wadsworth, Y. (Ed.). (1992). Issues in Victorian community health research: A report on the current issues raised in two years of discussion by The Researchers in Community Health Network (RICH). Melbourne, VIC: Action Research Issues Association.
• Bell, J. (1999). Doing your research project: A guide for first-time researchers in education and social sciences (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: Open University Press.

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