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  2. Research Proposal Preparation and Research Methods [MMP6101]

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Medical 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

    Research Proposal Preparation and Research Methods

  • Unit Code

    MMP6101

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    Online

Description

The purpose of this unit is to guide the student through the process of developing a research project in paramedical science. Participants will develop a research proposal over the duration of the semester. Activities will focus on the development of focused and answerable research question, appropriate research methodology, and selection of appropriate analytic methods. The output of the unit will be a research protocol ready for execution in MMP6102.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the implications of the hypothesis for medical practice, operations, quality or patient safety.
  2. Develop a set of research objectives, questions, testable hypotheses (if appropriate).
  3. Identify a "research space" and appropriately situate the project objectives and questions based on a critical appraisal of prior research in the field.
  4. Identify several methodological approaches that may be used to meet the research objectives.
  5. Produce a sufficiently detailed budget to guide execution of the research project.
  6. Select an appropriate methodology based on resources, and researcher skills.
  7. Select and defend the analytic approach to the project.

Unit Content

  1. Critical appraisal related to paramedical clinical practice, health services delivery and operations.
  2. Grantsmanship and research proposal development.
  3. Knowledge translation and transfer strategies.
  4. Methods of budgeting time, resources, and finances.
  5. Quantitative analytic methods.
  6. Research methodology and study architecture.
  7. Research objectives, questions and hypotheses.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Initially the unit will be based on consultations between the student, the unit co-ordinator and potential supervisors. Following selection of a supervisor and topic of interest the student will consult with the supervisor regarding relevant literature, identification of the project, development of the proposal and presentation of the research seminar. The student will also maintain contact with the unit co-ordinator.

Assessment

GS4 GRADING SCHEMA 4 Used for undifferentiated pass/fail 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.

ONLINE
TypeDescription
AssignmentProposal Seminar
ReviewLiterature Review

Text References

  • Allen, P. J., & Bennett, K. (2008). SPSS for the health & behavioural sciences. South Melbourne, Vic: Thomson.
  • Bell, J. (2005). Doing your research project: A guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science (4th ed.). Maidenhead, England: Open University Press.
  • Higgs, J. (Ed.). (2008). Clinical reasoning in the health professions (3rd ed.). Amsterdam: Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann.
  • Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.). (2008). Collecting and interpreting qualitative materials (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
  • Chow, S-C., Shao, J., & Wan, H. (Eds.). (2008). Sample size calculations in clinical research (2nd ed.). Boca Raton: Chapman & Hall.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

MMP6101|1|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Medical 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

    Research Proposal Preparation and Research Methods

  • Unit Code

    MMP6101

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

The purpose of this unit is to guide the student through the process of developing a research project in medical science. Participants will develop a research proposal over the duration of the semester. Activities will focus on the development of an answerable research question, a literature review methodology, and a completed research proposal. Students will also complete a draft ethics approval.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the implications of the hypothesis for medical practice, operations, quality or patient safety.
  2. Develop a set of research objectives, questions, testable hypotheses (if appropriate).
  3. Identify a "research space" and appropriately situate the project objectives and questions based on a critical appraisal of prior research in the field.
  4. Identify several methodological approaches that may be used to meet the research objectives.
  5. Produce a sufficiently detailed budget to guide execution of the research project.
  6. Select an appropriate methodology based on resources, and researcher skills.
  7. Select and defend the analytic approach to the project.

Unit Content

  1. Selection of a project topic and formulation of objectives.
  2. Conduct a literature review and applying conceptual or theoretical frameworks if require
  3. Plan a project and managing time.
  4. Prepare a written proposal.
  5. Meet the requirements for scientific and ethical approval to implement a project.
  6. Grantsmanship and research proposal development.
  7. Quantitative analytic methods.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Initially the unit will be based on consultations between the student, the unit co-ordinator and potential supervisors. Following selection of a supervisor and topic of interest the student will consult with the supervisor regarding relevant literature, identification of the project, development of the proposal and presentation of the research seminar. The student will also maintain contact with the unit co-ordinator.

Assessment

GS4 GRADING SCHEMA 4 Used for undifferentiated pass/fail 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.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescription
Project ^Project Proposal
ONLINE
TypeDescription
Project ^Project Proposal

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

  • Higgs, J. (Ed.). (2008). Clinical reasoning in the health professions (3rd ed.). Amsterdam: Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann.
  • Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.). (2008). Collecting and interpreting qualitative materials (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
  • Chow, S-C., Shao, J., & Wan, H. (Eds.). (2008). Sample size calculations in clinical research (2nd ed.). Boca Raton: Chapman & Hall.
  • Bell, J. (2005). Doing your research project: A guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science (4th ed.). Maidenhead, England: Open University Press.
  • Allen, P. J., & Bennett, K. (2008). SPSS for the health & behavioural sciences. South Melbourne, Vic: Thomson.

Journal References

  • Medical Journal of Australia
  • Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics
  • Journal of the American Medical Association
  • Australian Journal of Emergency Management
  • British Medical Journal

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

MMP6101|1|2