Research Project in Primary Health Care

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Supervised project over one semester

240 hours

Students must have also completed other MPH subjects that are relevant to the proposed research topic.

Students entering the MPH from 2011 must have a weighted average mark of at least 70% for all relevant subjects to be eligible to enrol in the research project. Successful research project applicants will be selected on the basis of academic merit.

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 Disability Liaison Unit website.

The research project must be in the area of primary health care and the topic must be approved by the nominated supervisor. Under normal circumstances, the project will involve: a) a conceptual or theoretical analysis of a given topic in primary health care; or b) an analysis of existing data relevant to primary health care. Collection and analysis of primary data may be undertaken, but only with the specific approval of the subject co-ordinator, in consultation with the nominated supervisor. Supervisors will be university academic staff with research experience and interest in primary health care.

Upon completion of this subject, students should have demonstrated their ability to:

• Complete a critical literature review at masters level
• Frame a research question and choose appropriate methods of investigation
• Design and conduct research on a stated topic in primary health care
• Complete analysis of a stated research topic in primary health care
• Present their research in a written report of an appropriate academic standard
• Communicate their research effectively and appropriately in oral form to an audience.

An oral presentation of 15 minutes (10 minute presentation, 5 minutes questions) due during the eleventh week of the first semester of enrolment (15%); An oral presentation of 20 minutes (15 minutes presentation, 5 minutes questions) due during the eleventh week of the second semester of enrolment (20%); A written research report of 5,000 to 8,000 words due during the examination period of the second semester of enrolment (65%). Students must pass the written research report (hurdle).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Upon completion of this subject, students will have developed skills in:

• Critical thinking and analysis
• Initiative, autonomy and organization
• Problem-solving
• Finding, evaluating and using relevant information
• Oral communication
• Written communication.