Course Title: Advanced Research Methods

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Advanced Research Methods

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BESC1415

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016

BESC1415

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022

BESC1416

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 1 2016

BESC1465

Bundoora Campus

Research

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013

Course Coordinator: Dr Russell Conduit

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 6658

Course Coordinator Email: russell.conduit@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 201.03.007

Course Coordinator Availability: request via email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

The aim of the course is to provide students with the methodological skills necessary for them to carry out independent research. Throughout the year, methodological and design considerations are integrated with statistical techniques. Statistical theory is not emphasised; instead, students are trained to be consumers and users of statistics. Applied linkages are developed through the extensive use of the SPSS data analysis package. Advanced Research Methods can be divided into three components. Over the duration of the semester students will engage in topics including effect size measures and their associated confidence intervals, power analysis, clinical significance, advanced analysis of variance, regression modelling and regression diagnostics, bootstrapping, and dealing with missing data. Students are taught these techniques in the context of SPSS and other computer-based data analysis software. Qualitative methods are considered briefly.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the development of the Program Learning Outcomes:

  • PLO 1:  Understand appropriate and relevant fundamental and applied evidence based knowledge and undertake lifelong learning to improve personal and professional practice 
  • PLO 2: Demonstrate a capacity to employ a variety of approaches and procedures to research to permit judgements and decisions to be supported by appropriate evidence that places practice within a global and local context.
  • PLO 3:  Applies knowledge to diagnose and solve problems in a wide range of diverse situations, with an ability to work independently or with others and incorporate the analysis of evidence based scientific literature to solve psychological problems.
  • PLO 4: Engage in dialogue with a diverse range of people and communicate in a broad range of forms (written, electronic, graphic, oral) to meet the circumstances of the situation and the capabilities of the audience.
  • PLO 5: Maintains tolerance and respect for individuals and  groups from diverse backgrounds, holding diverse values, adhering to professional expectations and demonstrating ethical behaviour.


Upon successful completion of this course, students will be expected to be able to: 

  1. Describe the important methodological and design issues underlying applied human research. 
  2. Conduct independent research using a range of research designs and methods. 
  3. Enter, analyse, and interpret the results of data using SPSS for Windows. 
  4. Describe the essential features of a range of advanced statistical techniques.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both.

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: 2x Short Answer Questions
Weighting 40%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 2: 2x Data Analysis Questions
Weighting 45%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 3: Online Quiz
Weighting 15%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.