Research Methods

This unit of study introduces students to the core processes and strategies of modern health research. We will explore the principles of quantitative and qualitative research, critical analysis of scientific literature and data interpretation, and hypothesis formulation and testing of a topic of interest. This unit provides an understanding of the fundamental concepts of probability and statistics required for experimental design and data analysis in the health sciences, including normal distribution, the t statistic, p values and the use of statistical and graphing software. Ethical human and animal research practices, research funding frameworks, research protocols and management will also be considered, with particular emphasis on scientific integrity, fraud, intellectual property and reference management.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Critically appraise relevant health literature in the context of experimental design;
2. Discriminate between various experimental designs, identifying appropriate analysis and statistical methods;
3. Formulate a testable hypothesis and conceptually map a robust experimental design;
4. Discriminate between examples of ethical and non-ethical research in human and animal experimental contexts and substantiate the importance of ethical conduct including regulatory requirements; and
5. Interpret issues of scientific integrity and conflict of interest in a contemporary health research context.