Research Methods in Psychiatry

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

85

For the purposes of considering requests 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 Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject is recommended to anyone who may be required to undertake a research project in the area of Mental Health during their studies or career. This subject is also a pre-requisite for any student interested to undertake the Psychiatric Research Project as their capstone in the Master of Psychiatry (342AA).

In this unit students will be given an introduction to research tools and practice at a basic or introductory level. The course will cover aspects of critical appraisal, research study design qualitative and quantitative statistical methodology and practical aspects of research, such as Ethics submission and seeking funding.

This course will be a mixture of didactic and practical aspects, noting that a number of the potential candidates will be preparing for a mandatory research experience as part of RANZCP training.

At the completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Define and apply basic statistical concepts and discuss, compare and contrast basic methodological issues relevant to quantitative psychiatric research;
• Evaluate empirical studies as published in the psychiatric literature, including key appraisal of critical factors in the research and fostering ‘constructive critical doubt’; and
• Understand how to approach the development of a research question into an actual study sufficient to support initial step of their own research (including setting out the project framework, applying for ethics approval, and presenting project outlines and seeking finding).

• 1000 word Critical Analysis of a published paper presenting an empirical research study and its methodology within an agreed research topic area. (This will form the basis of a thesis for those continuing on to complete the Research Project), Mid-Term (30%)
• 1000 word Research Proposal and Method Outline, plus a 5min accompanying summarising presentation within an agreed research topic area. (This will form the basis of a thesis for those continuing on to complete the Research Project), End of Term (70%)
• Complete Research Ethics Application paperwork (students continuing on to the Psychiatric Research Project capstone subject may also submit their application to the Ethics Committee, if applicable), End of term (Hurdle Requirement)
• 75% attendance of sessions, unless there are exceptional circumstances (Hurdle requirement)

Dawson B, Trapp R G (2001) Basic and Clinical Biostatistics. Lange Medical Books / McGraw-Hill, Sydney

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.