This course is designed to introduce students to how scientists from a range of health disciplines gather, interpret, store and retrieve information and health data. Students will build a capacity to develop a structured and systematic approach to problem analysis and solving and understand fundamentals of research methods in health science. Introductory topics will include problem scoping and definition, research questions, variable identification, hypothesis generation, and study design. Students will also be introduced to the basics of data collection and analysis, including: different types and levels of data, numerical and graphical summary of datasets, and inferential measures of difference and trend, using datasets that require both parametric and nonparametric statistical tests. The value and limitations of research results as evidence will be explored through discussions of notions of accuracy and precision of measurement, measures of uncertainty, bias and confounding variables. Academic skills will include navigating the health literature, performing basic statistical calculations on health datasets, and teamwork in scoping problems and posing research questions.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:- Devise an appropriate literature search strategy on a health topic.
- Anaylse a multi-faceted problem related to health and devise a problem statement that identifies independent and dependent variables.
- Apply the scientific method to a research problem and devise a falsifiable hypothesis and study design to address this.
- Perform and interpret basic statistical analyses using basic parametric and nonparametric tests.
- Develop an awareness of differences in research traditions within health science disciplines.
- Describe how health information is categorised and made available to health consumers and health researchers.
Indicative Assessment
Assessment will be based on:
- Literature review (15%) (LO1)
- Online exercises (8 x 5% = 40%) (LO2-6)
- Team based learning assessments (3 x 5% = 15%) (LO2-4,6)
- Examination (30%) (LO1-6)
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
4 hours of face to face learning per week. (1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 2 hour tutorial). There will be additional hours of online and self-study required.Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
To be advisedFees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $5760 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9818 | 23 Jul 2018 | 30 Jul 2018 | 31 Aug 2018 | 26 Oct 2018 | In Person | N/A |
