Program Overview

OTHY605 - Occupational Therapy Research Project A

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

This unit is the first part of the implementation of the capstone research project component of the Master of Rehabilitation (Occupational Therapy). It requires students to implement a research project that has been planned and developed in consultation with an approved ACU supervisor whilst undertaking prerequisite units. The ACU supervisor ensures capstone projects are meaningful and contribute new knowledge to the discipline and field.

Campus Offering

No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.

Prerequisites

• HLSC640 Interpreting Health Research
• OR HLSC641 Introduction to Health Sciences Research
• AND (HLSC646 Qualitative Research Methods OR HLSC647 Quantitative Research Methods OR HLSC642 Biostatistics for Health Sciences)

Learning Outcomes

To successfully complete this unit, students will be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

1. Implement a supervised research project adhering to ethical principles stated in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
2. Manage a research project as scheduled, making critical decisions regarding development of work in progress in consultation with the Supervisor
3. Critically appraise and discuss background literature and justify the project methodology
4. Critically evaluate the research process, identifying problems and solutions

Content

Students will commence a research project chosen in consultation with their supervisor. Students will be required to collect and collate research data in preparation for analyses in relation to the research question/s.

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

Assessments have been developed to guide students in their preparation and implementation of the first stage of a capstone project aimed at reflecting the advanced level of professional knowledge and skills, enhanced critical analysis, and professional writing style as developed in the Master's program.

Overview of Assessments

• Written Project Progress Report: Enables students to report on research scope, progress, and plan for completion (20%).
• Oral Presentation: Enables students to present a critical reflection of the process of implementing and undertaking their project, demonstrating advanced critical thinking (20%).
• Project Report: Enables students to prepare a comprehensive, well-documented, and appropriately referenced written research report according to specified guidelines (60%).

Learning and Teaching Strategy and Rationale

This unit is offered in multi-mode and online delivery for specific on and offshore cohorts. Both modes aim to facilitate enquiry-based learning. In this unit, students will work both independently and in collaboration with their supervisor(s).

Representative Texts and References

• Barton, B., & Peat, J. (2014). Medical Statistics A Guide to SPSS, Data Analysis and Critical Appraisal. 3rd Edition. Hoboken: Wiley.
• Bowling, A., & Ebrahim, S. (2007). Handbook of health research methods: Investigation, measurement and analysis. Maidenhead, U.K.: Open University Press.
• Creswell, JW, & Piano Clark, VL (2018) Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research. 3rd. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
• Creswell, J (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (Fifth edition..; International student ed.).
• Denzin, N, & Lincoln, Y (2018). The Sage handbook of qualitative research (5th ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
• Galvan, JL (2017). Writing Literature Reviews: A Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. London: Routledge.
• Glasziou, P, Irwig, L., Bain, C, & Colditz, G (2001) Systematic reviews in health care: A practical guide. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
• Herbert, R, Jamtvedt, G Hagen, KB & Mead, J (2011) Practical Evidence-based Physiotherapy. 2nd ed. Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone.
• Higgins, JPT & Green, S Eds. (2008) Cochrane handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Chichester, UK. Wiley-Blackwell.
• Liamputtong, P (ed). (2017). Research methods in health: Foundations for evidence-based practice (3rd edition) South Melbourne, Vic. Oxford University Press.
• NHMRC (2000). How to review the evidence: systematic identification and review of the scientific literature. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.

Credit Points

10

Year

2026