Psychiatric Research Project

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

250 hours

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 is one of two capstone subject options, taught in the final semester of the Master of Psychiatry (342AA) course.

This subject is intended to develop critical research skills required to conduct professional research within the field of Psychiatry. Students will formulate a research question with relevance to one of the areas of specialisation covered during their studies in the Master of Psychiatry (342AA) – preferably an area they have undertaken a selective subject within and can arrange appropriate supervision for. An ethics application may be required from the student.

Students will discuss their chosen research topic with their supervisor, devising a research proposal and outline that will form the basis of their thesis. Students will review relevant literature in light of their chosen area of study and according to established research method(s) in preparation for writing and then submission of their minor thesis at the end of term.

The subject provides the opportunity to undertake all the components required for critical research.

Students will be required to:
- Formulate and present an appropriate research question and proposal (including submission of an Ethics Application if applicable),
- Synthesise research skills by choosing methodology appropriate to the chosen field of study;
- Draw on disciplinary literature within the field in order to present justified critical analysis of the literature,
- Conduct data collection, analysing and interpreting data, critically discussing the implications of the findings,
- Produce a final research thesis of professional quality and standard

• Research Ethics Submission (if not already completed), start of semester [Hurdle]
• Fortnightly Meetings with supervisor throughout semester [Hurdle]
• Supervisors report (standards of self-direction, initiative, data collection, ethical conduct) - 3 reports - one at start, one at mid-term, one at end of term [20%]
• 6,000 word Final Research Report (data analysis, data synthesis, critical appraisal) - incorporates work undertaken in research prerequisite subject, end of semester [80%]

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

1. Define a research question and present a research proposal, giving consideration to ethical implications (where applicable)
2. Obtain ethics approval (where applicable)
3. Design a research protocol defining and justifying methods to be used
4. Collect, critically analyse and interpret data according to the defined methods of the research proposal, formulating appropriate conclusions
5. Review, appraise and critically discuss literature directly related to the research question
6. Present the findings within the protocols of a research theses (approximately 10,000 words)