Research Skills 1

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

10 hours per week, 5 hours lectures/tutorials within Department of Paediatrics, 5 hours self directed learning

90% attendance

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the 3 Disability Liaison Unit website : 4 http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Research skills 1 will be largely taught through seminars and tutorials within the Department of Paediatrics. Fundamental principles of research design and ethics applications will be taught. Research skills 1 will give students the skills and mentorship to commence designing their research project in year 2 (Research skills 2).

a) Knowledge: Students will gain knowledge about the fundamental principles of research design, evidence based clinical practice and the ethics approval process. This knowledge will be used as a foundation for students to commence planning their research project for semesters 3 and 4.

b) Generic skills:

Upon completion of research skills 1 students should-

• Have an adequate knowlged of basic epidemiological principles such as research design, different study types, sample size, outcome measures and comparisons, data collection and management, bias and confounding and scientific writing

• Be able to define a research question

• Be able to commence planning of a study for a master’s thesis

• Be able to complete an ethics proposal for a study

• Understand and practice the principles of evidence based clinical practice which include the following

o formulating a clinical question

o effective searching of the literature

o critical appraisal of different study types eg randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews

o evaluate study results and apply these appropriately to the patient

Written exam questions 80% (3 hours duration).

Ethics proposal 20% (Royal Children’s Hospital template, approximately 1500 words)

Pass/fail hurdle 90% attendence of teaching program

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Upon completion of research skills 1 students should-

• Have an adequate knowlged of basic epidemiological principles such as research design, different study types, sample size, outcome measures and comparisons, data collection and management, bias and confounding and scientific writing

• Be able to define a research question

• Be able to commence planning of a study for a master’s thesis

• Be able to complete an ethics proposal for a study

• Understand and practice the principles of evidence based clinical practice which include the following

o formulating a clinical question

o effective searching of the literature

o critical appraisal of different study types eg randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews

o evaluate study results and apply these appropriately to the patient