Handbook

Identifying a problem, selecting the appropriate methods to investigate a problem, and testing the efficacy and effectiveness of a potential solution in partnership with the end-users are all critical skills required in health practice and in careers in non-health sectors. In this course, you will continue to develop your knowledge of the research process and learn methodologies to help you ask the right questions to understand the size, scope and complexity of a problem. You will also learn how to select the right outcomes for measurement, and select the right methods to measure those outcomes. Then, you will learn how to distribute your findings using language that is appropriate for the audience. 

This course introduces concepts of research co-design, de-colonising research methods and includes non-traditional ways of conducting research where you will learn how incorporating Indigenous and other methods of knowing and thinking can positively impact on your ability to understand a problem and develop ethical, sustainable and effective solutions.   

This course has 2 streams: General and Research Intensive. Students who are completing a research project later in the year will complete the Research Intensive stream. All other students will complete the General stream. This course includes a 2-week intensive in Weeks 0 and 1.

General stream 

In small teams, students in the general stream will choose a research problem to investigate, and with guidance, select and apply tools and methodologies to produce a group research protocol. Pharmacy students must select a research problem related to Quality Use of Medicine (QUM) or Drug Use Evaluation (DUE). For all other students in this stream, you may organise yourselves into and select a profession-specific or interprofessional team and research problem. 

Research Intensive stream 

Students completing the Research Intensive stream will work individually on a problem that will form their research project in Terms 2 and 3. Details regarding your research project will be provided to you by your Program Authority. In this course, you will learn how to approach investigating your assigned research problem, including how to apply tools and methodologies relevant at each step, culminating in a draft research protocol at the end of the course. You will then use the research protocol to inform your research project in subsequent terms.