Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research (N12AA)

Intended learning outcomes

By completion, graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research should be able to:

• demonstrate a comprehensive foundation in the methods, process, rationales and nomenclature of clinical research design;
• construct a research question that is measurable and evaluable;
• compare and contrast a range of qualitative and quantitative clinical research study designs to identify relevant design considerations;
• appropriately select, perform and interpret the results of a range of quantitative and qualitative statistical methods;
• demonstrate mastery of online literature databases to find and retrieve relevant published research studies;
• describe a systematic approach to the critical evaluation of the quality of published qualitative and quantitative research studies and justify quality assessment decisions
• describe the different types of study bias and explain how they potentially can influence the outcomes and validity of scientific research
• discuss the principles of ethical clinical research and of the responsibilities of researchers
• have developed sufficient preparatory knowledge for more detailed study in clinical research at the Graduate Diploma level

Generic skills

n/a

Graduate attributes

The Melbourne Experience enables our graduates to become:

· Academically excellent:

o have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship

o have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)

o reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication

o be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning

o be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies

· Knowledgeable across disciplines:

o examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines

o expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects

o have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems

o have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment

· Leaders in communities:

o initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces

o have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations

o mentor future generations of learners

o engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs

· Attuned to cultural diversity:

o value different cultures

o be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work

o have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community

o respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values

· Active global citizens:

o accept social and civic responsibilities

o be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment

have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics