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
This is an intermediate to advanced level unit that focuses on the critical appraisal of the scientific research evidence that underpins clinical practice and healthcare decision making. It draws on the principles of evidence based practice and covers the design, conduct and analysis of randomised, controlled clinical trials, quasi-experimental trials, meta-analysis, systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines and their application in the evaluation of therapy and other health service innovations. These principles are also discussed in respect to the development of clinical practice guidelines; the study of the adverse effects of therapy; the health consumer perspective; ethical issues in clinical research; the study of the validity and performance of diagnostic tests; the use of decision analysis and economic analysis in the formulation of clinical policy; and the utility of non-experimental study designs in evaluating clinical outcomes.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2024 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) describe the discipline of clinical epidemiology and evidence-based practice; (2) develop information searching skills relevant to evidence-based practice; (3) evaluate the design, strengths and weaknesses of randomised controlled trials (RCT), systematic reviews and non-experimental clinical research study designs; (4) explain statistical issues in the design and analysis of RCTs; (5) critically appraise evidence-based clinical research literature; (6) evaluate the ethical issues associated with clinical research; (7) critically review clinical practice guidelines; and (8) discuss the barriers and enablers when attempting to implement changes to clinical practice.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) research proposal; (2) assignment; and (3) active course participation. 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)
- Associate Professor Tom Briffa
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- offered intensively
- 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.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- 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.