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HMH800 - Research Design

Year	2026 unit information
Enrolment modes:	Trimester 1: Waurn Ponds (Geelong) Trimester 2: Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Credit point(s):	1
EFTSL value:	0.125
Unit Chair:	Trimester 1: Ken Walder Trimester 2: Ken Walder
Cohort rule:	This unit is only available to students enrolled in H800, H801
Prerequisite:	Nil
Corequisite:	Nil
Incompatible with:	Nil
Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:	A minimum of 22 hours of self-directed supervised study.
Typical study commitment:	Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Content

This unit will complement the teaching given by the research supervisor. In this unit, students will learn how to design a research project, how to formulate a research hypothesis and develop aims along with appropriate study design to test the hypothesis. The unit places a strong emphasis on developing the student’s understanding of various statistical tests by which to analyse research data, including relevant software. It will also emphasise appropriate professional practice in the workplace and compliance with regulatory authorities. Please note this unit is designed for students completing laboratory based projects (e.g. cell culture and animal model experiments). Students completing clinical/qualitative research projects will gain more benefit from other available units.

Learning outcomes

ULO	These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can:	Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs)
ULO1	Develop an advanced and integrated understanding of the appropriate methodologies and statistical tests utilised in the chosen field of medical research.	GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking GLO6: Self-management
ULO2	Develop specialised knowledge and skills to apply appropriate statistical software to critically evaluate research data.	GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving GLO6: Self-management
ULO3	Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a study design in a chosen case study.	GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO6: Self-management
ULO4	Develop a research hypothesis and compose aims and a research design/plan to test this hypothesis.	GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving GLO6: Self-management GLO7: Teamwork
ULO5	Critically evaluate appropriate professional and ethical practices in medical research and apply to own research.	GLO4: Critical thinking GLO6: Self-management GLO8: Global citizenship

Assessment

Assessment description	Student output	Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit)	Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Statistics in research	20 question quiz	20%	Week 3
Assessment 2: Written assignment on critiquing research case studies	1500 words	30%	Week 5
Assessment 3: Written assignment on designing and analysing a research study	2500 words	50%	Week 6

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning resource

There is no prescribed text. Unit materials are provided via the unit site. This includes unit topic readings and references to further information.