Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
The tools of research and evidence based practice have helped us answer and understand some of the most important health and medical questions and saved millions of lives—what's good for our health and what does harm in the world around us? In this unit, students are introduced to key concepts and methods used in clinical epidemiology, research study design, statistical reasoning and how it can be used to describe, monitor and manage the health of individuals and populations and in the conduct of research or other scholarly inquiry. One of the great challenges in health and medical research and its use in clinical practice is deciding whether the results are because of the treatment/intervention applied, some other influences out there in the big world, or random chance. Students apply the principles and skills of evidence based practice to critically select, read, interpret and use health and medical evidence.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 2 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 2 core unit in the Integrated Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice; Integrated Dental Sciences; Podiatric Health and Medical Sciences; Medical Science major sequences
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) explain the main principles of the scientific method pertaining to medical research; (2) describe the main types of medical research study design; (3) recognise the main data collection methods used in quantitative research; (4) explain basic concepts of statistics and epidemiology relevant to the use of measures of estimation, frequency and statistical inference; (5) discuss research translation and how it impacts health care practice and policy; (6) identify the different sources of bias and confounding, and strategies to minimise these; (7) discuss the ethical, safety and professional issues involved in medical research; (8) explain the basic statistical measures relating to validity and reliability; and (9) describe and critically appraise the methods and statistical content of medical research studies.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) examinations; (2) written assignments; and (3) workshop assessment. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Amber Boyatzis
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- lectures: 2 hours per week
Workshops: 18 hours per semester
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.