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304179 (v.2) Health Research Methods 481


 

Area:

School of Public Health

Credits:

25.0

Contact Hours:

4.0

Lecture:

1 x 2 Hours Weekly

Tutorial:

1 x 1 Hours Weekly

Laboratory:

1 x 1 Hours Weekly

Syllabus:

Introduction to the scientific method, experimental, quasi-experimental, descriptive, qualitative and epidemiological research. Measurement issues - questionnaire development, reliability and validity of data, issues of sampling and sample size. Ethics in research. Overview of descriptive statistics, estimation and confidence intervals, inferential statistical tests. Use of SPSS software.
 

Unit Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to - Understand the scientific method and its place in the health sciences. Demonstrate an understanding of research data collection techniques and measurement issues such as reliability and validity. Describe experimental, quasi-experimantal, epidemiologic, descriptive and qualitative research. Apply basic and inferential statistics to data in the health sciences. Use the SPSS statistical software package. Evaluate statistical analyses in the health research literature. Have the basic knowledge to design a research proposal.

Texts and references listed below are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Some units taught offshore are modified at selected locations. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information and approved offshore variations to unit information before finalising study and textbook purchases.

Unit References:

Altman D.G., (1991), Practical Statistics for Medical Research, Chapman and Hall. Bowling A., (1997), Research Methods in Health - Investigating Health and Health Services, Open University Press. Elwood J.M., (1998), Critical Appraisal of EpidemiologicalStudies and Clinical Trials, 2nd ed., Oxford University Press. Hennekens C.H. and Buring J.E., (1987), Epidemiology in Medicine, Little, Brown and Company. Gordis L., (1996), Epidemiology, WB Saunders Company. Moore D.S. and McCabe G.P., (1993), Introduction to the Practice of Statistics, 2nd ed., WH Freeman and Company. Munro B.H., (2001), Statistical Methods for Health Care Research, 4th ed., Lippincott. Peat J., (2001), Health Science Research - A Handbook of Quantitative Methods, Allen and Unwin. Petrie A. and Sabin C., (2000), Medical Statistics at a Glance, Blackwell Science.

Unit Texts:

Dawson B. and Trapp R.G., (2001), Basic and Clinical Biostatistics, 3rd ed., Appleton and Lange. Coakes S.J. and Steed L.G., (2001), SPSS - Analysis Without Anguish, Version 10.0 for Windows, John Wiley and Sons.
 

Unit Assessment Breakdown:

Mid-semester test 35%, Computing Examination 20%, Final Examination 45%. This is by grade/mark assessment.

Field of Education:

 60100 Medical Studies (Narrow Grouping)

HECS Band (if applicable):

3  

Extent to which this unit or thesis utilises online information:

 Informational  

Result Type:

 Grade/Mark


Availability

YearLocationPeriodInternalArea ExternalCentral External
2004Bentley CampusSemester 1Y  

Area
External
refers to external course/units run by the School or Department, offered online or through Web CT, or offered by research.
Central
External
refers to external course/units run through the Curtin Bentley-based Distance Education Area

 
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