CQUniversity Unit Profile
ALLH11009 Research Methods for Health Professionals
Research Methods for Health Professionals
All details in this unit profile for ALLH11009 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This introductory unit is designed to equip emerging Health professionals with essential research and study skills. In this unit you will identify the strengths and weaknesses of research designs and methodologies, and learn how to critically evaluate information from a variety of sources. You will also conduct a systematic information search of health-related literature, use bibliographic software and enhance your academic writing skills.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2021

Online
Rockhampton

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Literature Review or Systematic Review
Weighting: 60%
2. Presentation
Weighting: 40%
3. Electronic Focused Interactive Learning (eFIL)
Weighting: Pass/Fail

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student Email

Feedback

This unit is a fantastic unit for first year students. It was fun and engaging and helped to develop a set of beneficial learning and study skills.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this unit continue to be delivered as a first term, first year unit and that it continue to provide a fun, engaging and supportive learning environment for students. Further, it is recommended that this unit continue to focus on developing study and research skills that will assist students throughout the remainder of their study.

Feedback from 'Have Your Say' Survey

Feedback

The assessment tasks directly align with the content that is taught in this unit making the links between learning outcomes, content and assessment items clear and transparent.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the assessment tasks continue to clearly align with learning outcomes and that the weekly content aligns with assessment tasks.

Feedback from 'Have Your Say' Survey

Feedback

The weekly Drop-In sessions were really helpful as they allowed students to ask questions to the unit coordinator in 'real time'.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the weekly Drop-In sessions continue as they provide students with the opportunity to seek support and guidance from the unit coordinator in 'real time'. This is especially beneficial to DST students whom are unable to attend the live lectures.

Feedback from Moodle Discussion Forum

Feedback

The Discussion Forums on Moodle were great as they provided dedicated spaces to ask questions about the assessment tasks. This made it really easy to find information as it was all in the one place.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Discussion Forums continue to provide dedicated spaces for students to ask questions about each of the assessment tasks.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Evaluate and summarise information from a variety of sources within the health setting
  2. Use effective search strategies to conduct a systematic information search of health-related literature
  3. Identify the strengths and limitations of a variety of research designs and research methodologies used by Health professionals
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental research and study skills concepts.

N/A

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Literature Review or Systematic Review - 60%
2 - Presentation - 40%
3 - Electronic Focused Interactive Learning (eFIL) - 0%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Literature Review or Systematic Review - 60%
2 - Presentation - 40%
3 - Electronic Focused Interactive Learning (eFIL) - 0%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • EndNote (bibliographical software). You MUST use EndNote bibliographic software to format your references for the main assessment item. This software is available to both on-campus and flex students and is available for Windows and Mac users. Consult ITD for instructions on how to download this software. You are encouraged to trial this software early as I will be providing tips on its use and links to instructions each week. It is easy to use and very helpful. See https://my.cqu.edu.au/group/it-services/endonte to access the software
  • Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Melanie Hayman Unit Coordinator
m.j.hayman@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1: Critical thinking and information sources Begin Date: 08 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2: Database searches Begin Date: 15 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3: Using EndNote for referencing Begin Date: 22 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4: Referencing and plagiarism Begin Date: 29 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5: Putting it all together Begin Date: 05 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 12 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6: The art of academic writing Begin Date: 19 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7: Types of research Begin Date: 26 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8: Research methods Begin Date: 03 May 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Allied Health Literature Review Due: Week 8 Friday (7 May 2021) 9:00 am AEST
Week 9: Deconstructing a research paper Begin Date: 10 May 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10: Seeing the big picture - the importance of research Begin Date: 17 May 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11: Social innovation Begin Date: 24 May 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12: Review week Begin Date: 31 May 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exploring the evidence Presentation Due: Week 12 Monday (31 May 2021) 9:00 am AEST
Electronic focused interactive learning activities Due: Week 12 Friday (4 June 2021) 9:00 am AEST
Term Specific Information

This unit consists of weekly lectorials and tutorials.

The lectorials involve a series of pre-recorded lectures, broken up by various practical and applied activities (also referred to as electronic focused interactive learning (eFIL) activities), designed to further enhance your understanding of important theoretical content and concepts. The lectorials are available at least two weeks in advance via the ALLH11009 Research Methods for Health Professionals Moodle page, and can be completed in your own time. However, it is an expectation that you complete all of the lectorial materials prior to attending the tutorial each week.

The tutorials involve a live face-to-face session, delivered in person-via the Rockhampton North Campus, and also streamed live via Zoom for all other students wishing to participate. These tutorials are designed to provide real world worked examples relevant to the theoretical content and concepts. They provide further authentic learning experiences, thought provoking discussion and are designed to support all learning styles through fun, engaging and interactive activities. Whilst all students are encouraged to attend the tutorials, they will be recorded and made readily available via the ALLH11009 Research Methods for Health Professionals Moodle page within three (3) working days. The link to access the weekly tutorials is also accessible via the ALLH11009 Research Methods for Health Professionals Moodle page. You can download Zoom and create an account via your MyCQU Student Portal Homepage: https://my.cqu.edu.au/support under the IT HELP section.

Assessment Tasks

1 Literature Review or Systematic Review

Assessment Title
Allied Health Literature Review

Task Description

For this task, you are required to:

  • Select an allied health research topic of interest
  • Write a literature review that provides an overview of important facts and information, compares and contrasts findings and demonstrates your academic writing abilities

Please refer to the ALLH11009 Research Methods for Health Professionals Moodle page for additional information, including a detailed task description. 


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Friday (7 May 2021) 9:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Friday (21 May 2021)

NOTE: If your assessment is not submitted in accordance with the due date, grades and feedback will be returned two weeks after submission date.


Weighting
60%

Assessment Criteria

For this task, you will be graded against the following criteria:

  • Select an allied health research topic of interest
  • Construct a detailed and replicable search strategy 
  • Conduct an information search using appropriate academic databases
  • Export relevant literature into EndNote
  • Write a literature review that provides an overview of important facts and information, compares and contrasts findings and demonstrates your academic writing abilities
  • Use EndNote to support your literature review with appropriate referencing throughout, in accordance with APA referencing requirements 

Total weighing of this task: 60% of overall grade

Please refer to the ALLH11009 Research Methods for Health Professionals Moodle page for additional information, including a detailed criteria sheet.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Your submission must be uploaded as a single word file (doc. or docx. format) via the ALLH11009 Research Methods for Health Professionals Moodle page. Ensure that you upload the correct document and that you complete the submission process in its entirety, as late submissions are penalised.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate and summarise information from a variety of sources within the health setting
  • Use effective search strategies to conduct a systematic information search of health-related literature
  • Identify the strengths and limitations of a variety of research designs and research methodologies used by Health professionals


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

2 Presentation

Assessment Title
Exploring the evidence Presentation

Task Description

For this task, you are required to:

  • Select an allied health research topic of interest (it can be the same allied health topic from your Literature Review assessment task)
  • Demonstrate your understanding of research design and methodological approaches by providing a review of the literature, with an emphasis on the research design, methodology, reliability, strengths and limitations of your chosen topic
  • Present a 4 - 6 minute pre-recorded Zoom presentation, using audio, visual and a PowerPoint presentation

Please refer to the ALLH11009 Research Methods for Health Professionals Moodle page for additional information, including a detailed task description.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Monday (31 May 2021) 9:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Monday (14 June 2021)

NOTE: If your assessment is not submitted in accordance with the due date, grades and feedback will be returned two weeks after submission date.


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

For this task, you will be graded against the following criteria:

  • Select an allied health research topic of interest (it can be the same allied health topic from your Literature Review assessment task)
  • Present a 4 - 6 minute pre-recorded Zoom presentation, using audio, visual and a PowerPoint presentation
  • Detail the research design and methodological approaches used from at least six academic studies 
  • Discuss the reliability of the research design based on the hierarchy of evidence 
  • Identify strengths and limitations of the research design and methodological approaches 
  • Use effective presentation skills to engage your audience 
  • Support your presentation with appropriate referencing throughout, in accordance with APA referencing requirements 

Total weighing of this task: 40% of overall grade

Please refer to the ALLH11009 Research Methods for Health Professionals Moodle page for additional information, including a detailed criteria sheet.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Your submission must be uploaded as a single Zoom file (mp4 format) via the ALLH11009 Research Methods for Health Professionals Moodle page. Ensure that you upload the correct file and that you complete the submission process in its entirety, as late submissions are penalised.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate and summarise information from a variety of sources within the health setting
  • Use effective search strategies to conduct a systematic information search of health-related literature
  • Identify the strengths and limitations of a variety of research designs and research methodologies used by Health professionals


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

3 Electronic Focused Interactive Learning (eFIL)

Assessment Title
Electronic focused interactive learning activities

Task Description

As part of this unit, you are required to engage with interactive, online content to support your learning. This content is referred to as electric focused interactive learning (eFIL). eFIL refers to any activities included on your Moodle page in relation to course content. This may include (but is not limited to):

  • H5P interactive learning activities
  • Discussion forums
  • Tasks set by your lecturer requiring you to email or upload content including work samples or videos
  • Surveys
  • Moodle Quizzes

You may complete your eFIL activities at any time throughout the term prior to the Due Date in Week 12 (Friday 4th June 2021 @ 9.00am AEST). In fact, we strongly encourage you to complete the eFIL activities as you work through your weekly content, as they are designed to support the content and therefore assist in scaffolding your learning.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (4 June 2021) 9:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Relevant feedback is provided upon the successful completion of each activity.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
This is a must pass assessment task. You must pass each of these two requirements outlined in the Assessment Criteria to pass this assessment task and therefore be eligible to pass this unit.

Assessment Criteria

There are two requirements to pass this assessment task:

1. You must complete a minimum of 80% of the eFIL activities. An activity will be considered ‘complete’, when it has met the task requirements set for the individual activity (e.g., completion of a H5P activity, meeting activity instructions and guidelines such as posting a reflection in the discussion forum) to a satisfactory standard.

2. You must complete 100% of the 'End of Lectorial' Moodle Quizzes and must receive a mark of 100% on each quiz. You may re-attempt each quiz as many times as you need to achieve the minimum grade of 100%. Your 'End of Lectorial' Moodle quiz will appear on your Moodle page, in the appropriate week, as the final activity.

This is a must pass assessment task (i.e., you must pass each of these two requirements to pass this assessment task and therefore be eligible to pass this unit).


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Complete all eFIL activities via the ALLH11009 Research Methods for Health Professionals Moodle Page.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental research and study skills concepts.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?