MMED8304 Health Professions and Society 3A: Advanced Studies

This topic aims to deepen the student's understanding of research methods and ethics through the application of this knowledge to a scientific research project under the guidance of a clinical or academic supervisor. Through participation in the chosen or nominated research project, students will acquire a defined body of evidence-based qualitative or quantitative knowledge from one or more of the established biological, clinical, epidemiological, social and/or behavioural sciences. Research activities that are undertaken in this topic (following a preparation for it in previous topic) may include, but are not limited to, laboratory or clinical based research; data collection and analysis; with an expected reporting of findings. Students may work independently and/or in small groups to conduct the research usually in collaboration with research teams, organisations, and community groups.

Through ethically conducted research and as part of a collaborative or inter-professional team, this topic aims to extend and advance personal and general knowledge in a chosen, specialised area of biological, clinical, epidemiological, social or behavioural science (or a combination of these), and to indicate the findings through the maintenance of a learning journal, progress reports and a research outcomes presentation to the research group/team.

2. Apply an advanced level of knowledge of research methods, design and ethics to the completion of a research project
4. Apply an understanding of working within the legal and ethical frameworks which govern scientific and clinical practice to the conduct of research
6. Demonstrate advanced skills through participation in a structured and collaborative research based inquiry process with a commitment to pursuing better health outcomes and professional practice in a specific context
8. Locate, read and critically appraise recent research as presented in the scientific and medical literature in the context of their own research findings and apply this integrated knowledge of the literature to the context of a research project
10. Apply high level data analysis and interpretation skills to a research project
12. Demonstrate high level professional communication skills
14. Demonstrate reflective practice in the context of research
16. Begin to communicate the acquired knowledge or expertise to a variety of audiences