Practice Based Research (HLTH90002)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
About this subject
Contact information
Term 1
Email: continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: + 61 3 8344 0149
Contact hours: https://unimelb.edu.au/professional-development/contact-us
Overview
| Availability | Term 1 - Online |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject explores the range of approaches useful for researching health and human services practice. Here “practice” is defined broadly to encompass work at policy and organizational levels as well as directly with individuals, groups, and communities. This subject will take students through the process of research design which will include looking at different methodologies – from descriptive and exploratory studies to establishing the effectiveness of ‘what we do’. It will explore approaches to undertaking community-based studies as well as review the benefits of, and theoretical approaches used in accessing existing databases. The current organisational emphasis on evidence-based and evidence-informed practice will be considered along with the skill and knowledge base required to access and evaluate research evidence. This subject will promote a theoretical and skill base of practice research that will support practitioners to engage in reflective and evidence informed practice.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Critically appraise strengths and limitations of research literature as a basis for using research evidence to inform practice;
- Formulate research questions arising from practice situations including those concerning policy and program development;
- Develop a research design, including the selection of appropriate methods of data collection and analysis;
- Apply principles of ethical research to practice research design;
- Identify processes for engaging service users or consumers in practice research; and
- Search, extract, and evaluate research evidence as a basis for practice implementation.
Generic skills
Students will be provided with the opportunity to practice and reinforce:
- high level written communication skills
- advanced information and interpretation skills
- advanced analytic, integration and problem-solving skills
- demonstrate competence in critical and theoretical thinking through essay writing and online discussions
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Contribution to online discussions, weekly (3 hours in total – 25 minutes per week)
| Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
Poster Proposal
| Mid-teaching period | 20% |
Poster
| Second half of the teaching period | 40% |
Written Essay
| During the assessment period | 30% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Term 1 - Online
Coordinator Lauren Kosta Mode of delivery Online Contact hours Total time commitment 136 hours Pre teaching start date 22 January 2024 Pre teaching requirements Students will familiarise themselves with the online platform which will provide an overview of the subject, assessment requirements and expectations. They will also be provided with information about studying online and informed about the University resources available to them. Teaching period 29 January 2024 to 24 March 2024 Last self-enrol date 23 January 2024 Census date 16 February 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 8 March 2024 Assessment period ends 31 March 2024 Term 1 contact information
Email: continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: + 61 3 8344 0149
Contact hours: https://unimelb.edu.au/professional-development/contact-us
Time commitment details
The remaining time commitment is related to subject readings and assessment preparation.
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
Pre-teaching Period Requirements
Students will familiarise themselves with the online platform which will provide an overview of the subject, assessment requirements and expectations. They will also be provided with information about studying online and informed about the University resources available to them.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025