Availabilities:

2021 unit offering information will be available in September 2020

Unit description

Introduces students to different types of methodologies used to inform evidence-based practice and the processes involved in conducting ethical research. Through both theoretical and practical components, students will learn the basic methods for: planning an investigation; collecting, analysing and interpreting data; and reporting and disseminating data findings.

Unit content

Understanding how evidence is created is a cornerstone learning foundation for all students of health sciences. This unit introduces students to understanding the nature of evidence in the health sciences:

  • Ways of knowing and knowledge creation
  • Identifying problems, purposes, aims, questions, hypotheses
  • Ethical and cultural considerations in producing knowledge
  • Methodological designs
  • Data collection methods
  • Data analysis including descriptive and inferential statistics, and thematic analysis
  • Interpreting and reporting findings

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:GA1GA2GA3GA4GA5GA6GA7
1describe different philosophical approaches to knowledge creationEthical practice
2describe the strengths and limitations of various study designsLifelong learning
3identify a question and plan an appropriate methodology that addresses itLifelong learning
4evaluate ethical implications of a proposed inquiryEthical practice
5demonstrate an ability to conduct basic data analysisIntellectual rigour
6demonstrate an ability to interpret and report findings.Intellectual rigourLifelong learning

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. describe different philosophical approaches to knowledge creation
    • GA3: Ethical practice
  2. describe the strengths and limitations of various study designs
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
  3. identify a question and plan an appropriate methodology that addresses it
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
  4. evaluate ethical implications of a proposed inquiry
    • GA3: Ethical practice
  5. demonstrate an ability to conduct basic data analysis
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
  6. demonstrate an ability to interpret and report findings.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA5: Lifelong learning

Teaching and assessment

Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every session. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the study session.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Commencing 2021 Commonwealth Supported only. Student contribution band: 2

Fee paying courses
For POSTGRADUATE or UNDERGRADUATE full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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