NS5201 - Research: Theory and Methodology

Credit points:	03
Year:	2013
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	School of Nursing, Midwifery & Nutrition

This subject will assist the student in developing a base of knowledge fundamental to nursing and midwifery practice through the development and application of research. The subject builds on knowledge commonly taught in undergraduate research programs. Common research designs used in the disciplines of nursing and midwifery will be examined, with a focus on both methodology and methods. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills to write a research question, develop aims and a hypothesis, and describe the process of constructing a systematic search strategy and an integrative review of the literature. The principles of ethical research will be discussed and the methods of data collection/generation and analysis will be identified and applied. Finally, avenues for the dissemination of research results will be explored.

Learning Outcomes

• appreciate the important role culture and ethics play in research and in the application of ethical procedures related to the conduct of research;
• critically evaluate research findings and their suitability for application in practice;
• describe features of cross-cultural research and identify its methodological problems;
• describe the development of theories and distinguish between conceptual and theoretical frameworks;
• discuss the relationship between theory and research and its basis in major philosophical orientations;
• identify advanced research methodologies and relate them to their respective paradigms.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• The ability to deploy critically evaluated information to practical ends;
• The ability to find and access information using appropriate media and technologies;
• The ability to evaluate that information;
• The ability to select and use appropriate tools and technologies.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:

NS6020

Availabilities
External, Study Period 2
Census Date 29-Aug-2013
Coordinator:	Assoc. Professor Jane Mills
Lecturers:	Dr Karen Yates, Assoc. Professor Jane Mills, Mr Scott Trueman.
Method of Delivery:	WWW - LearnJCU
Assessment:	assignments.
External, Study Period 1
Census Date 28-Mar-2013
Coordinator:	Assoc. Professor Jane Mills
Lecturers:	Dr Karen Yates, Mr Scott Trueman.
Method of Delivery:	WWW - LearnJCU
Assessment:	assignments.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.