James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2000

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HS2402:03

Health Professional Research I

Townsville

26 lectures, 26 hours practicals. First semester.

Available to all students enrolled in the Occupational Therapy program and those in other health science programs.

This subject introduces students to practical and theoretical issues arising in research in Health Sciences. The students will become familiar with basic methods of biostatistics and concepts of quantitative and qualitative epidemiology and evaluation research. Topics covered include univariate and bivariate statistical analysis, design of a questionnaire, the structure of medical research, measures of disease frequency, descriptive and analytical epidemiology, bias and aspects of validity, interviewing techniques, focus group work, reading and writing of medical publications. Methods and objectives of the evaluation of health services will be discussed. Practicals will be offered to introduce students to the use of statistical software and to deepen the understanding of the discussed theory.

Learning Objectives:

  1. to understand the basic concepts and uses of different qualitative and quantitative research methods in epidemiology;
  2. to perform basic statistical analysis;
  3. to understand methodology described in medical literature;
  4. to be able to contribute productively to a research team.

Assessment by examination I (30%); examination II (40%); assignments in practicals (30%).


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