NURSING 782 : Research Methods in Nursing and Health

Medical and Health Sciences

2021 Semester One (1213) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Explores the philosophical underpinnings of research methodologies and assists students to understand the major distinctions between quantitative and qualitative approaches. Students will critique research studies and apply research findings to practice. They will gain a practical appreciation of research ethics. By the end of the course, students will be able to apply their learning to the development of a basic research proposal.

Course Overview

This course is designed to provide students with the skills required to design and undertake a robust research study in an area related to nursing and health practice. This aim will be met through the following objectives:
• Enabling students to design and undertake a comprehensive search of literature.
• Providing students with the skills and knowledge to generate an appropriate research question.
• Equipping students with a basic understanding of the principles of quantitative and qualitative research and their relative strengths and weaknesses.
• Enabling students to choose the most appropriate research method(s) to address a particular research question.
• Providing students with an overview of the principles of ethical research.
• Providing students with the knowledge and skills to write a research proposal

Course Requirements

Restriction: NURSING 768

Course Contacts

Associate Professor Rachael Parke

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Master of Nursing

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Conduct a critical review of published research (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1 and 6.3)
  2. Identify an appropriate research question (Capability 1.2, 2.2, 3.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  3. Describe a range of quantitative and qualitative research designs, and identify the advantages and disadvantages associated with these designs. (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  4. Apply appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative methods to collect data to answer the identified question (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  5. Develop a research proposal for an empirical research study (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Literature Review 45% Individual Coursework
Oral research proposal presentation 10% Individual Coursework
Written research proposal 45% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Literature Review
Oral research proposal presentation
Written research proposal

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

There are six study days, each comprising a mix of lectures, group work, and visiting speakers. Academic staff in the School of Nursing who actively conduct research will illustrate, through their research, how to develop research questions using various methods. There will be workshops for students to discuss their ideas with researchers and help them refine their research ideas and methodology. Students will be expected to undertake readings/on-line learning prior to study days.

Note: Students should come to the first class with a statement of research intent (area of research interest) that they would like to explore. 

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including study days to undertake components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. 
The course will include live online events including tutorials.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a block delivery.

Learning Resources

RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK
Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications.

Students are expected to develop their own set of readings relevant to the themes chosen for the assignments in this course. There are many relevant and interesting journals accessible via the internet. 
The required and recommended readings are available from the left hand menu on Canvas, where you can access the Talis Reading list. It is recommended you do this prior to each of the study days.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 21/01/2021 11:50 a.m.