Course Outline

NUR721 Research in Health Care

Course Coordinator:Judy Munday (jmunday1@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Nursing

2026Trimester 1

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Understanding and implementing evidence-based health practice (EBP) is an imperative for all health care practitioners. In this course you will build on undergraduate research knowledge to develop a critical understanding of the approaches, methods and procedures involved in generating rigorous research knowledge. You will investigate and critique EBP guidelines and the issues that surround the implementation of evidence in healthcare.  You will learn about the procedures required to approve and support research, applying their knowledge by developing a research proposal.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Online
Online – Online asynchronous learning and teaching materials and options for lecturer and peer to peer collaborations, and lecturer and peer zoom drop ins. 3hrs Week 1 12 times

Course Topics

  • Introduction to research and evidence based practice

  • Research foundations

  • Research proposals

  • Approaches and methods

  • Reporting and dissemination

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Analyse and describe the relationships among health research and evidence-based practice (EBP). Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
2 Critique the assumptions underpinning research approaches that are commonly used in healthcare research. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Engaged
3 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of methods and processes commonly used in healthcare research. Creative and critical thinker
Engaged
4 Apply knowledge of procedures required to conduct and support healthcare research by developing a research proposal in a specific, relevant context. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
Engaged
Sustainability-focussed

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Enrolled in Program SC723, SC713, SC742, SC423, SC420 OR SC546

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress


            

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Written Piece Individual 20%
500 words
Week 3 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Examination - not Centrally Scheduled Individual 30%
2000 words
Week 7 Online Submission
All 3 Written Piece Individual 50%
2500 words
Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Research question and rationale.
Goal:
Develop knowledge and skills to identify a potential research topic and propose a research question.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
A written piece including a rationale for exploring the clinical topic and proposal of potential research questions, supported by evidence.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Rationale for the research topic
1 2 3
2
Structure of the research question
1 2 3
3
Information literacy skills: use of sources and citations
3
4
Written presentation including use of research terms, structure and grammar, application of referencing style
3
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Online exam: research methods and critical appraisal skills
Goal:
Develop and apply knowledge of research methods and critical appraisal skills.
Product: Examination - not Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format:
An open-book and time-based online exam; stimulus provided on the Canvas site.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Knowledge and understanding of research designs and methods.
1 2 3
2
Ability to interpret research evidence.
1 2 3
3
Application of critical appraisal skills.
3
4
Written presentation including use of research terms, structure and grammar.
3
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Literature review and research design proposal.
Goal:
Develop the foundation of a research proposal by applying knowledge and skills of research methods. Write a literature review and formulate research questions. Propose appropriate research designs with justification.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
A structured essay including literature review, research questions, designs and justification.  A template will be provided on the Canvas site.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Evidence synthesis and appraisal.
3 4
2
Development of potential research questions.
1 4
3
Application of knowledge and understanding of research methods and principles.
2 3 4
4
Information literacy skills: use of sources and citations.
4
5
Written presentation including use of research terms, structure and grammar.
3 4
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

Schedule

Period and Topic Activities
Introduction to research and evidence based practice
Online learning
Research foundations
Online learning
Research proposals
Online learning
Approaches and methods
Online learning
Reporting and dissemination
Online learning

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Edited by Pranee Liamputtong 2021 Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice 4th Edition Oxford University Press

Specific requirements

You will require a computer and access to the internet to access materials for the course in CANVAS and to interact with Library resources which are a key component of this course.

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: