CQUniversity Unit Profile
PBHL20011 Public Health Project Proposal
Public Health Project Proposal
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General Information

Overview

Public Health Project Proposal is the first of a suite of four units designed to allow you to undertake a work-related or research project over the course of two terms. This suite of units provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate the skills and knowledge you have gained throughout the six core public health units and to apply these to a specific project. The project may be related to a public health intervention, evaluation or research topic. You are encouraged to discuss your ideas for the project with the unit coordinator at least a month prior to the commencement of Term 1 to allow refinement of your ideas to ensure they are appropriate for this project. In this unit, you will be undertaking the necessary preparations for the implementation of the project. These include undertaking a literature review, deciding on the project design and methodology, and gaining ethical clearance, if that is required.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 9
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisites:PBHL20001 Understanding Public HealthPBHL20002 Systems Thinking in Public HealthPBHL20003 Social EpidemiologyPBHL20004 Public Health Action and EvaluationPBHL20005 Global Public HealthPBHL20006 Participatory Health Research

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

Cairns
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

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).

Website

This unit has a website, within the Moodle system, which is available two weeks before the start of term. It is important that you visit your Moodle site throughout the term. Please visit Moodle for more information.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate 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

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

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
2. Research Proposal
Weighting: 60%
3. Oral Examination
Weighting: 20%

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.

CQUniversity Policies

All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.

You may wish to view these policies:


This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.

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 Unit coordinator observation

Feedback

Students require a great deal of guidance and step by step approaches to research activities.

Recommendation

Material be revised to focus on the fundamentals of research activities presented in direct and more operationalised ways.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Formulate an appropriate research question relevant to a public health issue
  2. Develop a public health project proposal and justify this based on a comprehensive literature review
  3. Justify a public health project on social-ecological model of health principles
  4. Defend the chosen approach taken within the public health project proposal
  5. Articulate own positionality within the public health project proposal
  6. Successfully complete a human research ethics application.
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 5 6
1 - Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Oral Examination - 20%
3 - Research Proposal - 60%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - 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
1 - Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Oral Examination - 20%
3 - Research Proposal - 60%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

How to do your research project: A guide for students

Edition: 3rd (2017)
Authors: Gary Thomas
Sage
London London , United Kingdom
ISBN: 978-1-4739-4887-7
Binding: Paperback
View textbooks at the CQUniversity Bookshop

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Access to a computer is recommended
  • Zoom Capacity (microphone required; webcam optional)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Sabi Kaphle Unit Coordinator
s.kaphle@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Module 1: Getting Started Begin Date: 08 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Getting Started

Chapter

Concept of research

Defining research problems

Developing research questions

Applying learning to practice

Events and Submissions/Topic

Fortnightly research workshop

Fortnightly meetings with your supervisor 

Module 2: Literature review Begin Date: 22 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Literature review 

Chapter

Defining review questions

Refining search terms

Conducting literature search

Writing literature review

Applying learning to practice

Events and Submissions/Topic

Fortnightly research workshop

Fortnightly meetings with your supervisor

Assessment 1 Due


Justification Paper Due: Week 4 Friday (2 Apr 2021) 5:30 pm AEST
Module 3: Methodology Begin Date: 05 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Methodology 

Chapter

Research design

Research methods

Research ethics

Participant recruitment process

Use of theories in research

Applying learning to practice

Events and Submissions/Topic

Fortnightly research workshop

Fortnightly meetings with your supervisor

Vacation Week Begin Date: 12 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Vacation Week 

Chapter

Mid Term Break 

Events and Submissions/Topic

No meeting scheduled

Module 4: Ethics and Risks Begin Date: 19 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Ethics and Risks 

Chapter

What is ethics?

Why ethics important in research?

NHMRC Ethics Statement and Guidelines

Applying for ethical clearance

Events and Submissions/Topic

Fortnightly research workshop

Fortnightly meetings with your supervisor

Assessment 2 Due 


Public Health Project Proposal Due: Week 7 Friday (30 Apr 2021) 5:30 pm AEST
Module 5: Data Analysis Begin Date: 03 May 2021

Module/Topic

Data Analysis

Chapter

Data analysis methods

Data analysis strategies/tools

Deciding the appropriate strategies/tools

Applying learning to practice

Events and Submissions/Topic

Fortnightly research workshop

Fortnightly meetings with your supervisor

Module 6: Oral Presentation Begin Date: 17 May 2021

Module/Topic

Oral Presentation 

Chapter

Presentation of proposal

Oral presentation tips

Events and Submissions/Topic

Fortnightly research workshop

Fortnightly meetings with your supervisor

Assessment 3 Due 


Oral Presentation Due: Week 10 Friday (21 May 2021) 5:30 pm AEST
Assessments/Review/Exams Begin Date: 07 Jun 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Overview workshop for research will be held during orientation week. 

Check timetables for details. 

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Justification Paper
Task Description

This justification paper must demonstrate student’s ability to look at the relevant literature, identify gaps or areas that require more study, and use this evidence to critically argue what they are trying to find out and why the research they are doing is important in the field.

Assessment Due Date

Week 4 Friday (2 Apr 2021) 5:30 pm AEST

Assessment submitted in Moodle

Return Date to Students

Week 6 Friday (23 Apr 2021)

Return assessment with feedback and grade

Weighting
20%
Assessment Criteria

Your justification paper will be assessed using following criteria:

- Analyse the existing literature on the topic with attention to issues that have been noted to contribute to the gaps in knowledge/evidence;

- Demonstrate the current relevance and application of the knowledge likely to be created by the proposed research project to contribute to the evidence;

- Discuss the kind(s) of data that will provide new insight into the topic in line with the proposed project design;

- Discuss the significance of the topic in relation to what has been done already; and

- Demonstrate critical thinking, originality, logical discussion and creativity skills to justify conceptual and methodological aspects of the proposed research project

Referencing Style
Submission
Online
Submission Instructions
Submit online in Moodle
Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Formulate an appropriate research question relevant to a public health issue
  • Develop a public health project proposal and justify this based on a comprehensive literature review
  • Successfully complete a human research ethics application.

Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

2 Research Proposal

Assessment Title
Public Health Project Proposal
Task Description

Your proposal must demonstrate that you have understood the research process and have ability to how you are going to conduct research.

Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Friday (30 Apr 2021) 5:30 pm AEST

Assessment submitted in Moodle

Return Date to Students

Week 9 Friday (14 May 2021)

Feedback and grade provided to students.

Weighting
60%
Assessment Criteria

This assessment will be marked using following criteria. 

- Logically written introduction demonstrates ability to critique the contemporary evidence and discuss significance of the project

- Clearly developed research question/s, aim/s and objectives 

- Thoroughly described methodology provides clear justification of research design and the use of appropriate research methods

- Well-developed research plan demonstrates a realistic timeline and considers the resources you will need to conduct the project

- Writing maintains accuracy, coherence, academic conventions, appropriateness and clarity of language

Referencing Style
Submission
Online
Submission Instructions
Assessment submitted in Moodle
Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Formulate an appropriate research question relevant to a public health issue
  • Develop a public health project proposal and justify this based on a comprehensive literature review
  • Justify a public health project on social-ecological model of health principles
  • Defend the chosen approach taken within the public health project proposal
  • Articulate own positionality within the public health project proposal

Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

3 Oral Examination

Assessment Title
Oral Presentation
Task Description

This is the presentation of your research project proposal. You need to present your research project within a strict three minute time limit covering what you are going to do in this research, why you are doing this research and how you will conduct the research . 


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Friday (21 May 2021) 5:30 pm AEST

Presentation materials submitted in Moodle

Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (4 June 2021)

Feedback and grade provided

Weighting
20%
Assessment Criteria

  • Presenting papers at conferences and to your peers and the broader community is a core aspect of public health and an important part of the research process. In this three-minute, oral presentation you will be assessed on:

    - Contents 

    - Presentation

    - Use of materials

    - Time management

Referencing Style
Submission
Online
Submission Instructions
Assessment submitted in Moodle
Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Justify a public health project on social-ecological model of health principles
  • Defend the chosen approach taken within the public health project proposal
  • Articulate own positionality within the public health project proposal

Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

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?