Overview
This unit introduces you to the foundations of research skills and knowledge required for nursing, midwifery and social sciences research. You will critically appraise and justify research paradigms and develop and justify research questions for qualitative, quantitative or mixed method designs, and propose suitable research paradigms and designs to answer your research question.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Students must be enrolled in CL22 Master of Clinical Nursing to undertake this unit. Co-requisites: NURS20173. Pre-requisites: NURS20167.
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 1 - 2026
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 Postgraduate 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 Student
Student feedback suggests that the unit is challenging.
Alert students that the expected workload and engagement with unit contents is 10-12 hours per week. This will be provided in writing and discussed during Zoom meetings hosted at various times to accommodate student rosters.
- Critically appraise and justify research paradigms and methods used to answer research questions in contemporary and diverse healthcare settings
- Construct and justify research question/s appropriate to qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods research design
- Propose and justify a research paradigm and design to answer a research question
There are no learning outcomes linked to external accreditation for this unit.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 60% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||
| 2 - Communication | |||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||
| 4 - Research | |||
| 5 - Self-management | |||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||
| 7 - Leadership | |||
| 8 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Academic Learning Centre services
- Access to MIMS through the university library
- Microsoft Word
- Online access to Austroads manuals and Australian Standards (through CQU Library)
- Wordprocessing, spreadsheeting and powerpoint software
- Zoom account (Free)
- Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop
- CQUniversity Library Resources
- CQUniversity Library Nursing Resources
- EndNote (bibliographical software). EndNote bibliographic software to format your references is NOT mandatory. However, it will be a great tool to manage your research references and cite them in texts. Consult ITD for instructions on how to download this software. It is easy to use and very helpful. See https://my.cqu.edu.au/group/it-services/endonte to access the software
- Zoom access: microphone and webcam required
- CQU library search tools
- CQU Library search engines for research articles
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.byrne@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Welcome to the unit.
Self-directed learning module.
Introduction to the foundations of research and research paradigms
Chapter
Review the Moodle site and click on all the links.
Find out more about Student Support.
How do I find the Library?
Click on the link and learn about the Academic Learning Centre.
Review the eReadings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Welcome and Unit Introduction O Week.
Assessments 1 and 2 - Review the assessment tasks and rubrics and make a study plan.
Activity – Access the General Discussion page and introduce yourself to your colleagues by providing your:
Name
Where you work
Why you are studying a Master of Clinical Nursing
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program - complete your annual program.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Zoom - Week 1- Unit content and assessments.
Module/Topic
Introduction to qualitative research and grounded theory
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 - Review Assessment requirements.
Assessment 2 - Review Assessment requirements.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Module/Topic
Introduction to quantitative research
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Week 3- Unit content and assessments.
Assessment 1 - Review Assessment requirements.
Assessment 2 - Review Assessment requirements.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Module/Topic
Qualitative research methodologies, research questions and phenomenology
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 - Review Assessment requirements.
Assessment 2 - Review Assessment requirements.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Module/Topic
Qualitative research- data collection and analysis
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Week 5- Unit content and assessments.
Assessment 1 - Review Assessment requirements.
Assessment 2 - Review Assessment requirements.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Module/Topic
Qualitative description methodologies- Action research and case study
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 - Review Assessment requirements.
Assessment 2 - Review Assessment requirements.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Module/Topic
Rest, relax and reflect.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Research rigor in qualitative research
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment one is now due
Zoom - Week 7- Unit content and assessments.
Assessment 2 - Review Assessment requirements.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Written Assessment Due: Week 7 Wednesday (29 Apr 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Quantitative research methodologies
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 - Review Assessment requirements.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Module/Topic
Quantitative research analysis
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Week 9- Unit content and assessments.
Assessment 2 - Review Assessment requirements.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Module/Topic
Mixed methods research
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 - Review Assessment requirements.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Module/Topic
More on mixed methods
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experiences in this unit. The survey opens Week 11 and closes one week before release of grades.
Zoom - Week 11- Unit content and assessments.
Assessment 2 - Review Assessment requirements.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Module/Topic
Revision week
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experiences in this unit. The survey opens Week 11 and closes one week before release of grades.
Assessment Two is now Due
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Written Assessment Due: Week 12 Wednesday (3 June 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
As this unit is offered online, students are asked to prepare their own individual study plan to undertake self-led and self-directed study throughout the term. A key to your success is a strategic self-directed approach to learning and regular contact with your Unit Coordinator/s. Please check the Announcements and Discussion forums at least twice a week – there will be regular announcements about assessments and unit resources throughout the term and reviewing this information is essential to unit knowledge and your success. CQUniversity communicates with students through CQUniversity email. We recommend that you access your CQUniversity email at least twice a week so that you do not miss vital information about your studies.’
1 Written Assessment
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your understanding of research paradigms and your ability to construct a research question and explain its alignment with a research paradigm and research approach.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
- You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
- The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
a. Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
b. Checking spelling and grammar.
c. CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly. - Any use of Gen AI software:
a. Must be cited in the relevant sections.
b. Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions
Available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
- You must achieve at least 49.5% for each assessment item to pass this unit.
- In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 7 Wednesday (29 Apr 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your assessment in Microsoft Word format only.
Week 10 Wednesday (20 May 2026)
Students will be advised of release of assessment marking via an announcement posted to the Announcement's Board on the Unit Moodle site. Please note, the 'Return to Students Information" is an approximate date.
Assessment criteria will be available in the Moodle site.
- Construct and justify research question/s appropriate to qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods research design
- Propose and justify a research paradigm and design to answer a research question
2 Written Assessment
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your understanding of research paradigms and your ability to construct a research question and explain its alignment with a research paradigm and research approach.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
1. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
a. Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
b. Checking spelling and grammar.
c. CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
2. Any use of Gen AI software:
a. Must be cited in the relevant sections.
b. Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions
Available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
- You must achieve at least 49.5% for each assessment item to pass this unit.
- In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 12 Wednesday (3 June 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your assessment in Microsoft Word format only.
Vacation/Exam Week Wednesday (17 June 2026)
Students will be advised of release of assessment marking via an announcement posted to the Announcement's Board on the Unit Moodle site. Please note, the 'Return to Students Information" is an approximate date.
Assessment criteria will be available in the Moodle site.
- Critically appraise and justify research paradigms and methods used to answer research questions in contemporary and diverse healthcare settings
- Propose and justify a research paradigm and design to answer a research question
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?
