PUB HLTH 7300OL - Developing a Research Proposal

Online - Semester 2 - 2019

This research preparedness course will review and reinforce student learning on the research process and enable students to produce a research proposal ready for implementation. In a series of modules, the course focuses on specific aspects of doing research including: literature searching and critical appraisal; reference management; framing the research question and determining research approaches; and ethical issues. Students will develop competence in assessing the validity of the published literature, determining the gaps in the evidence and developing a feasible study design that complies with the principles underpinning responsible research practice.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PUB HLTH 7300OL
    Course Developing a Research Proposal
    Coordinating Unit Public Health
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s Online
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week online plus 3 hours per week preparation
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Assessment Online quizzes, written reports
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Peng Bi

    Course Coordinator: A/Prof Lynne Giles
    Phone: +61 8313 0234
    Email: lynne.giles@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 9, Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences Building

    Student & Program Support Services Hub
    Email: askhealthsc@adelaide.edu.au
    Phone: +61 8313 0273


    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Identify a public health problem suitable for scientific investigation
    2 Situate that problem within the relevant literature and existing evidence and identify gaps in the evidence about that problem (i.e. things worthy of further research)
    3 Develop a (structured) research question which addresses a gap in the evidence about the problem
    4 Plan an appropriate research design to investigate the research question
    5 Use appropriate online databases of research evidence and reference management software
    6 Apply ethical principles of research to shape or modify the research proposal
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-6
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1-6
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    N/A
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    5
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    6
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    N/A
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    O’Leary Z. The essential guide to doing your research project. 2nd Ed, Sage Publications 2014. ISBN 978-1-4462-5897-2

    A third edition of O'Leary's book (2017) is available. Reference will be made to any updates from the 2nd to 3rd edition, and indicated on MyUni.

    Other resources will be available via MyUni and will include: journal articles; government reports; video resources; online data bases; web-based tutorials and activities.

    Recommended Resources
    John W. Creswell. A Concise Introduction to Mixed Methods Research. Sage Publications 2014, ISBN-13: 978-1483359045

    Online Learning
    This course will be offered completely online.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Details will be made available on MyUni.
    https://www.adelaide.edu.au/course-outlines/107914/1/sem-1/2018/
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Details will be made available on MyUni.
    https://www.adelaide.edu.au/course-outlines/107914/1/sem-1/2018/
    Learning Activities Summary
    Details will be made available on MyUni.
    https://www.adelaide.edu.au/course-outlines/107914/1/sem-1/2018/
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Detail
    Details will be made available on MyUni.
    https://www.adelaide.edu.au/course-outlines/107914/1/sem-1/2018/
    Submission
    Details will be made available on MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.