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92612 Research in Health

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

UTS: Health
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 24 credit points of completed study in 24 Credit Value spk(s): 00000-999999 AND 92790 Evidence-based Practice
Anti-requisite(s): 92972 Health Care Research Methodology

Handbook description

This subject provides an understanding and appreciation of the multiple ways through which knowledge is generated, specifically in relation to the disciplines of nursing and midwifery, and to health care in general. Students are exposed to the breadth of research methodologies that can be employed for such knowledge generation. Emphasis is placed on relationships between research question/problem, methodology and method. Basic descriptive research methods are used as exemplars of knowledge generation. Completion of the subject enables students to critically appraise an appropriate methodology and method for a chosen area of research inquiry. In addition, the subject explores how to situate an area of inquiry within existing knowledge, proposal writing, as well as ethical and practical issues of conducting research in nursing, midwifery and health care.

Subject objectives/outcomes

Successful completion of this subject will enable you to:

  1. Understand the role of research in the development of knowledge in nursing, midwifery and health care.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to conceptualise clearly a research problem or question in relation to existing knowledge and development of knowledge in the research field.
  3. Further your understanding of the fundamental elements of the research consumer process: question development, literature review, analysis of study methods and synthesis of findings, application of findings to clinical practice, development of clinical practice guidelines; and recommendations for further research
  4. Develop and extend your ability to identify, appraise and synthesise key literature related to a research area or a specific research problem.
  5. Provide an argument to support the selection of a specific research methods/design as appropriate for investigating a specific clinical practice question.

Teaching and learning strategies

The proposed format and content areas will be available on UTSOnline. Some flexibility in the learning process is anticipated as we respond to the learning needs of the group. Learning sessions will include some didactic teaching, workshops, small group work and informal student presentations, and feedback on discussions.

Content

Content for this subject includes:

  • Advancing knowledge in nursing, midwifery and health services through research
  • the range of methodological approaches currently employed in nursing, midwifery and health services research
  • stages of the research process
  • the role of theoretical frameworks and conceptual models in research
  • identifying an area of research and a researchable problem
  • strategies for conducting a literature review: searching, reading, critiquing, organising and synthesising knowledge relevant to the research area or problem
  • developing and refining a research problem into a focussed question
  • the need for congruence in selection of research methodologies, designs, types of data and forms of analyses
  • introduction to understanding statistics
  • developing research designs to answer specific research questions
  • the role of rigour in nursing research.

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Development of Draft Summary Table

Objective(s):

1, 4, 5
Weighting:

40%
Length:

2,000 words

Assessment Item 2: Integrative/Systematic Review

Objective(s):

2, 3, 4, 5
Weighting:

60%
Length:

2,500-3,000 words

Required texts

Recommended readings will be taken from the following set text, which is available for purchase from the University Co-op Bookshop:

Schneider, Z., Whitehead, D., Elliott, D., LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. 2007, Nursing & midwifery research: Methods and appraisal for evidence-based practice, 3rd edn, Mosby,Sydney.

Recommended texts

We recommend that you also access other texts to guide you in your learning about specific research methods. A wide variety of the texts listed below and on UTSOnline is available in the library for you to borrow and/or preview before purchasing through the University Co-op Bookshop.

Bowling, A. 2002, Research methods in health: Investigating health and health services, 2nd edn, Open University Press, Maidenhead.

Burns, N. & Grove, S. 2005, The practice of nursing research: Conduct, critique and utilization, 5th edn, Saunders, London.

Creswell, J. W. & Plano Clark, V.L. 2007, Mixed methods research: Designing and conducting. Sage, London.

Greenhalgh, T. 1997, How to read a paper. The basics of evidence based medicine. BMJ publishing group, Nottingham.

Minichiello, V., Sullivan, G. Greenwood, K. & Axford R. (eds) 2004, Research methods for nursing and health science, 2nd edn, Pearson Education, French’s Forest.

Peat, J., Elliott, E., Baur, L. & Keena, V. 2003, Scientific writing. Easy when you know how. Springer Scientific, Netherlands.

Silverman, D. (ed) 2004, Qualitative research: Theory, method and practice, 2nd edn, Sage, London.

Other resources

UTS Student Centres
Building 10
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Telephone: (02) 9514 4911

Kuring-gai
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday:11:00 am - 4:30 pm
Telephone: (02) 9514 5021

Website details for student centres: https://servicedesk.uts.edu.au/CAisd/pdmweb.exe. For other resources/information refer to the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Health website (www.nmh.uts.edu.au/students/current/index.html) or UTSOnline at: https://online.uts.edu.au/webapps/login/.

Improve your academic and English language skills

Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.

HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)

HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS is located in Student Services, on level 3 building 1 at City Campus and via the Student Services area at Kuring-gai. Phone 9514-2327 or 9514-2361

Please see www.UTS.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.