PUB HLTH 2591OUA - Knowing What Works - Evaluation for Public Health

OUA - Trimester 2 - 2024

In the era of evidence-based practice and policy in healthcare, everyone needs evidence on how well an intervention works and whether it provides value for money to inform funding decisions. Evaluation is a tool to provide such information: measuring the success of the intervention in achieving its intended outcomes, determining its value, and providing information on how to improve the intervention to attain even greater success. This course is designed to help students to answer questions such as "Should a new vaccine to protect against invasive meningococcal disease be recommended in publicly funded immunization programs? Did the new parent education program actually result in more children being vaccinated? If not, how can we improve the program?" The course aims to extend students understanding of the evaluation process and the quantitative, qualitative and economic evaluation approaches which are used to evaluate a wide range of public health interventions. Using real world examples, emphasis is placed on the value of integrated/mixed evaluation approaches. The course equips students with the practical knowledge and skills to design and apply an integrated framework to evaluate a public health intervention.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PUB HLTH 2591OUA
    Course Knowing What Works - Evaluation for Public Health
    Coordinating Unit Public Health
    Term Trimester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s OUA
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Restrictions Available only to University of Adelaide Open Universities Australia students
    Assessment Online quizzes 20%, Discussion paper 25%, Integrated Evaluation Project 45%, Group Participation 10%
    Course Staff
    Dr Andrew Gardner
    Email: andrew.gardner@adelaide.edu.au 
    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Explain major evaluation approaches and their limitations for a range of health interventions.
    2 Demonstrate professional self-awareness required for evaluation in practice.
    3 Apply basic health economic concepts to health economic evaluations.
    4 Identify data sources, data collection and data analysis processes commonly used in evaluation.
    5 Design a basic evaluation plan for a health intervention, demonstrating awareness of conceptual and practical issues.
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1 - 5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1 - 5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    2, 5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1, 2, 3, 5

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    1, 2

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    4

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    2, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Detail provided in MyUni.
    Recommended Resources
    Detail provided in MyUni.
    Online Learning
    This course is only offered online. The primary means of communication outside of formal contact hours will be via MyUni. Announcements and discussion boards will be the main method of communicating with the student cohort. Course material will be supported by online resources via MyUni. Material will be sequentially released in line with the teaching and learning activities in each week.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is delivered online.
    Workload

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

    The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This equates to approximately 12 hours per week per course. This time commitment includes doing the relevant readings, preparing for online tutorials, other on-line activities and assessment tasks.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Detail provided in MyUni.
    Specific Course Requirements
    N/A
  • 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 Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome
    Quiz Summative 10% 1, 5
    Reflection Summative 10% 1, 2
    Economic Evaluation Plan Summative 35% 1, 3, 4
    Health Program Evaluation Plan Summative 45% 1, 4, 5
    Assessment Related Requirements
    N/A
    Assessment Detail
    Detail provided in MyUni.
    Submission
    Detail provided in 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.