Overview
This unit has been developed for you to begin your journey in the expansive field of research. This unit will introduce you to some fundamental principles of research practice and allow for a greater appreciation of research methodology, critical appraisal and basic statistical analysis. This unit will utilise the principle that ‘reading research’ should be the first goal of any research course. You will be given research articles to read in preparation for all weekly lectures and offered the opportunity to undertake formative assessment utilising the lecture material and the pre-lecture readings. You will also learn how to utilise various critical appraisal techniques to allow you to confidently use research findings to help you make evidence-based clinical decisions. By the end of this unit, you will be equipped to not only embark on more rigorous research related units and be prepared to undertake the foundations of an Honours or Masters level research project but also be able to understand how research can be used to make evidence-informed clinical decisions.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: Completion of 96 credit points
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE Teacher Evaluations
Students found attendance to tutorials difficult and reported clashes with their travel time.
It is recommended that the unit coordinator provide clearer communication on expectations of attendance to improve engagement. The coordinator will liaise with timetabling and other T2 Unit coordinators so there is appropriate travel time between campus and their homes when CHIR13012 is to be scheduled.
Feedback from SUTE Teacher Evaluations
Students reported that the coordinator was organised however at times there were IT problems with analytical programs used online.
It is recommended that the unit coordinator continue to develop and source materials that best suit the online nature of teaching CHIR13012 -Research Literacy for Health Professionals.
- Critique the advantages and disadvantages of various research designs used in primary and secondary research
- Evaluate research using standardised and non-standardised critical appraisal methods
- Analyse basic research data and provide appropriate summaries for further evaluation
- Compose a research question in order to develop a collaborative proposal to investigate a selected field of enquiry
- Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of published research within a contextualised and patient-centred framework.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Portfolio - 50% | |||||
| 2 - Online Test - 30% | |||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | |||||
| 4 - Online discussion forum - 0% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Portfolio - 50% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Online Test - 30% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||||||||
| 4 - Online discussion forum - 0% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
k.deluca@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Lecture: Introduction to Research Literacy for Health Professionals and Ethics in Research
Online tutorial: Unit outline
Chapter
Relevant material will be available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
None
Module/Topic
Lecture: Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine
Online tutorial: Evidence-based medicine
Chapter
Relevant material will be available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
None
Module/Topic
Lecture: Developing a Research Question and Searching the Literature
Online tutorial: PICO and Library training videos
Chapter
Relevant material will be available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
None
Module/Topic
Lecture: Critical Appraisal and Risk of Bias
Online tutorial: Critical appraisal (1)
Chapter
Relevant material will be available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
None
Module/Topic
Lecture: Research Study Designs
Online tutorial: Critical appraisal (2)
Chapter
Relevant material will be available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
None
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture: Sampling and Measurement
Online tutorial: Sampling and measurement
Chapter
Relevant material will be available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Critical appraisal and CASP Randomised Controlled Trial Checklist submission (50% weighting). Due Week 6 Friday (29 Aug 2025) at 5:00 pm.
Critical appraisal and CASP submission Due: Week 6 Friday (29 Aug 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Lecture: Fundamentals of Data Analysis
Online tutorial: Fundamentals of Data Analysis
Chapter
Relevant material will be available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 3: Mid-term quiz (20% weighting). Open during online tutorial time, Week 7 Wednesday (3 Sept 2025) 10:00 am AEST
Mid-term quiz Due: Week 7 Wednesday (3 Sept 2025) 10:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Lecture: Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis
Online tutorial: Systematic reviews and PRISMA
Chapter
Relevant material will be available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
None
Module/Topic
Lecture: Clinical Practice Guidelines
Online tutorial: Clinical Practice Guidelines and AGREE II Instrument
Chapter
Relevant material will be available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
None
Module/Topic
Lecture: Qualitative Research
Online tutorial: Qualitative Research
Chapter
Relevant material will be available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
None
Module/Topic
Lecture: Planning a Research Project
Online tutorial: Research project proposal and referencing
Chapter
Relevant material will be available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 4: Research into Practice Seminar online forum post and written reflection submission (Pass/Fail). Due Week 11 Friday (3 Oct 2025) 5:00 pm.
Research into Practice Seminar online forum post and written reflection submission Due: Week 11 Friday (3 Oct 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Lecture - Writing a Journal Paper
No online tutorial: OSCE week and self-directed study
Chapter
Relevant material will be available on Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
None
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2: End of term test (30% weighting). On campus, invigilated test on Tuesday (14 Oct 2025) 1:00pm - 3:00pm AEST.
End of term test Due: Review/Exam Week Tuesday (14 Oct 2025) 1:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Portfolio
Students need to critically appraise a (pre-determined) peer-reviewed, journal publication. The assessment will include submitting a clear and cohesive piece of academic writing (500 words (+/- 10%)), complemented by a completed, CASP Randomised Controlled Trial Checklist. Assessment guidelines and marking rubric are provided on Moodle.
Students must submit two documents – a copy of their critical appraisal in PDF and a copy of their completed, CASP RCT checklist in PDF, via Moodle.
To help you use Generative AI tools in a transparent, flexible, and responsible way, you are encouraged to explore the following practical framework that guides your ethical and effective AI use in your assessment. All AI Assessment scale tool descriptors have been provided on the CHIR13012 Unit Documents & Materials.
For this assessment, AI Assessment descriptor 2 is applied.
Descriptor 2: AI PLANNING - Al may be used for pre-task activities such as brainstorming, outlining and initial research. This level focuses on the effective use of Al for planning, synthesis, and ideation, but assessments should emphasise the ability to develop and refine these ideas independently. You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 6 Friday (29 Aug 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Students must submit two documents – a copy of their critical appraisal in PDF and a copy of their completed, CASP RCT checklist in PDF, via Moodle.
Week 9 Wednesday (17 Sept 2025)
The assessment will be returned with feedback relevant to the assessment guidelines and marking rubric provided.
Detailed assessment guidelines and marking rubric are provided in Moodle.
Students must submit two documents – a copy of their critical appraisal in PDF and a copy of their completed, CASP RCT checklist in PDF, via Moodle.
- Critique the advantages and disadvantages of various research designs used in primary and secondary research
- Evaluate research using standardised and non-standardised critical appraisal methods
- Compose a research question in order to develop a collaborative proposal to investigate a selected field of enquiry
- Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of published research within a contextualised and patient-centred framework.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Social Innovation
2 Online Test
This end of term test will be taken in person, in a CQUni computer lab on whichever campus that you are enrolled. The end of term test will be open in Moodle on Tuesday 14th October 2025, in Week 13. The end of term test will be open for two hours, from 1:00pm until 3:00pm. The test will involve a mix of question types including multiple choice, short answer and matching styles. The test will assess all theoretical content taught across weeks 1-12. The end of term test is worth 30% of your total grade. The end of term test is graded, therefore you need a 50% mark to pass this assessment.
The 72-hour assessment grace period is NOT implemented on this assessment. Therefore, you are NOT allowed to submit your end of term test up to 72 hours after the original due date.
This is not an open book quiz nor a group assessment and answers must be an individuals own work. To help you use Generative AI tools in a transparent, flexible, and responsible way, you are encouraged to explore the following practical framework that guides your ethical and effective AI use in your assessment. All AI Assessment scale tool descriptors have been provided on the CHIR13012 Unit Documents & Materials.
For this assessment, AI Assessment descriptor 1 is applied.
Descriptor 1: No AI - The assessment is completed entirely without Al assistance in a controlled environment, ensuring that students rely solely on their existing knowledge, understanding, and skills. You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Review/Exam Week Tuesday (14 Oct 2025) 1:00 pm AEST
Invigilated end of term test. 1-3pm on Tuesday the 14th of October 2025.
Exam Week Friday (24 Oct 2025)
Multiple choice and matching style questions will be returned to students once all students have completed the quiz, with short answer questions returned to students within two weeks.
The assessment criteria will involve selecting or providing the most accurate and correct answers to the questions posed in this end of term test.
- Evaluate research using standardised and non-standardised critical appraisal methods
- Analyse basic research data and provide appropriate summaries for further evaluation
- Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of published research within a contextualised and patient-centred framework.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Social Innovation
3 Online Quiz(zes)
The mid-term quiz will be open in Moodle on Wednesday 3rd September, in Week 7. The mid-term quiz will be at the time of your normal CHIR13012 tutorial (Wednesday at 10:00am). The quiz will be open for 60 minutes after which time your answers will be submitted automatically. The quiz will involve a mix of question types including multiple choice, short answer and matching styles. The quiz will assess content taught across weeks 1-5 (not including week 6). The quiz is worth 20% of your total grade and you need a 50% mark to pass this assessment.
The 72-hour assessment grace period is NOT implemented on this assessment. Therefore, you are NOT allowed to submit your mid term quiz up to 72 hours after the original due date.
This is not an open book quiz nor a group assessment and answers must be an individuals own work. To help you use Generative AI tools in a transparent, flexible, and responsible way, you are encouraged to explore the following practical framework that guides your ethical and effective AI use in your assessment. All AI Assessment scale tool descriptors have been provided on the CHIR13012 Unit Documents & Materials.
For this assessment, AI Assessment descriptor 1 is applied.
Descriptor 1: No AI - The assessment is completed entirely without Al assistance in a controlled environment, ensuring that students rely solely on their existing knowledge, understanding, and skills. You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
1
Other
Week 7 Wednesday (3 Sept 2025) 10:00 am AEST
The mid-term quiz will be open in Moodle from 10:00am - 11:00am on Wednesday 3rd September 2025 (week 7). The quiz in Moodle will be open for 60 minutes after which time your answers will be submitted automatically.
Week 9 Wednesday (17 Sept 2025)
Multiple choice and matching style questions will be returned to students once the quiz is closed, with short answer questions returned to students within two weeks.
The assessment criteria will involve selecting or providing the most accurate and correct answers to the questions posed in this mid-term online quiz.
- Analyse basic research data and provide appropriate summaries for further evaluation
- Compose a research question in order to develop a collaborative proposal to investigate a selected field of enquiry
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Social Innovation
4 Online discussion forum
This assessment will encourage you to attend the CQU Chiropractic Research into Practice (RiP) seminar series, over the duration of the CHIR13012 unit. Alternatively, you can watch a recorded RiP seminar.
You are required to provide an ~500 words written reflection of the RiP Seminar you attended/viewed. This should be saved as a PDF file and uploaded to Moodle by 5pm on Friday 3rd October, 2025 (Week 11). You will also post a reflection of the RiP Seminar you have viewed to the RiP Seminar Series Moodle Forum for peer review, by the due date of Friday 3rd October, 2025 (Week 11). Assessment guidelines are provided on Moodle.
To help you use Generative AI tools in a transparent, flexible, and responsible way, you are encouraged to explore the following practical framework that guides your ethical and effective AI use in your assessment. All AI Assessment scale tool descriptors have been provided on the CHIR13012 Unit Documents & Materials.
For this assessment, AI Assessment descriptor 2 is applied.
Descriptor 2: AI PLANNING - Al may be used for pre-task activities such as brainstorming, outlining and initial research. This level focuses on the effective use of Al for planning, synthesis, and ideation, but assessments should emphasise the ability to develop and refine these ideas independently. You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 11 Friday (3 Oct 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Upload a written reflection, saved as a PDF file, to Moodle, and post in the RiP Seminar Series Moodle Forum
Exam Week Wednesday (22 Oct 2025)
This is a Pass/Fail assessment.
This is a Pass/Fail assessment. You must, during the Term, post in the RiP Seminar Series Moodle Forum and upload a written reflection, saved as a PDF file, to Pass this Unit.
- Critique the advantages and disadvantages of various research designs used in primary and secondary research
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
