HMH800 - Research Design
Unit details
| Year | 2027 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes | Trimester 1: 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. |
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 |
| ULO2 | Develop specialised knowledge and skills to apply appropriate statistical software to critically evaluate research data. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a study design in a chosen case study. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Develop a research hypothesis and compose aims and a research design/plan to test this hypothesis. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO5 | Critically evaluate appropriate professional and ethical practices in medical research and apply to own research. | GLO4: Critical thinking |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some units still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Assessment
| Assessment description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Statistics in research | 20 question quiz | 20% |
|
| Assessment 2: Written assignment on critiquing research case studies | 1500 words | 30% |
|
| Assessment 3: Written assignment on designing and analysing a research study | 2500 words | 50% |
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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.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
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