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SCU Online Study Period 3 Study Period 3

Unit Summary

Unit type

PG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

9

Level of learning

Introductory

Unit aim

Introduces students to an evidence-based approach to health practice. Students will explore key research methodologies and designs. They will frame relevant structured questions, search databases and critically appraise different types of evidence to consider how that evidence might inform responses in day-to-day health practice settings.

Unit content

  • Introduction to evidence-based practice, research designs and methods
  • Finding different types of evidence to answer research questions
  • Quantitative research methodology and design
  • Qualitative research methodology and design
  • The process of appraising primary evidence
  • Systematic reviews and their appraisal

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: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 design relevant structured questions and identify the best evidence for answering those questions
2 identify the most appropriate data sources for evidence related to relevant structured questions
3 demonstrate understanding of the main health research philosophical perspectives and methodologies including their assumptions and practical applications
4 distinguish between different evidence types and research designs
5 critically appraise primary and secondary evidence to answer relevant structured questions.

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

  1. design relevant structured questions and identify the best evidence for answering those questions
    • GA1:
    • GA5:
  2. identify the most appropriate data sources for evidence related to relevant structured questions
    • GA4:
  3. demonstrate understanding of the main health research philosophical perspectives and methodologies including their assumptions and practical applications
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  4. distinguish between different evidence types and research designs
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  5. critically appraise primary and secondary evidence to answer relevant structured questions.
    • GA1:
    • GA4:

Prescribed texts

  • Hoffmann, T, Bennett, S & Del Mar, C, 2017, Evidence-based practice across the health professions, 3rd edn, Churchill Livingston/Elsevier , Chatswood, NSW.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.