Overview
There is an enormous body of health data and information that is relevant to public health and the ability to locate, interpret and communicate health information is a fundamental skillset required by all public health professionals. In this unit you will be introduced to the concepts of measurement and data relating to public health. You will explore potential sources of data, how to identify and interpret appropriate measurements and data for public health, and how to communicate measurements and data with confidence to inform public health decisions.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
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 - 2024
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
Students found some of the resources or recorded videos to be "a few years old".
Regularly update the recorded lecture videos and learning resources available to the students. This will help them have access to the most current and relevant information, ensuring a more effective and meaningful learning experience.
Feedback from SUTE
Weekly content is still heavy for students to grasp and the Moodle page could benefit from revision.
Update the learning content to ensure it remains current and relevant for students. Additionally, consider reducing the weekly amount of materials and videos provided to students to avoid overwhelming them with too much information. This will help students focus on and absorb the most important information, improving learning outcomes.
Feedback from SUTE
Some recorded lecture videos had poor sound quality, and students observed they could not understand it.
When recording lectures, it is important to ensure that the audio quality is clear and consistent throughout the recording. To achieve this, it is highly recommended that lectures be recorded in a designated recording room where ambient noise can be minimised. Additionally, headphones should be used during the recording to eliminate any external noise that may interfere with the recording. Using headphones can also help to monitor the quality of the recording in real time and make adjustments as necessary. By following these best practices, the quality of the recorded lecture videos can be significantly improved, thereby enhancing the overall learning experience for students.
- Assess the source and quality of health information and data as related to public health.
- Identify and interpret appropriate measurements and data for public health.
- Communicate health information using a range of information technologies.
- Reflect on individual, cultural, and ethical perspectives relating to health measurement and data.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Group Discussion - 20% | ||||
| 2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30% | ||||
| 3 - Project (research) - 50% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 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 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - 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 | 11 | |
| 1 - Group Discussion - 20% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30% | |||||||||||
| 3 - Project (research) - 50% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- ZOOM
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.bricknell@cqu.edu.au
Week 1 | Introduction and critical thinking
Begin Date: 08 Jul 2024Module/Topic
How we know and critical thinking
Chapter
Prescribed learning activities - combination of journal articles, chapter readings and online activities
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2 | Foundations of Data & Measurement
Begin Date: 15 Jul 2024Module/Topic
Foundations of Data & Measurement
Chapter
Prescribed learning activities - combination of journal articles, chapter readings and online activities
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3 | Measuring Mortality & Morbidity
Begin Date: 22 Jul 2024Module/Topic
Measuring Mortality & Morbidity
Chapter
Prescribed learning activities - combination of journal articles, chapter readings and online activities
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4 | Measuring Other Health Outcomes
Begin Date: 29 Jul 2024Module/Topic
Measuring Other Health Outcomes
Chapter
Prescribed learning activities - combination of journal articles, chapter readings and online activities
Events and Submissions/Topic
ASSESSMENT TASK 1A: ONE discussion post due Friday Week 4 at 11:59 PM
Week 5 | Measuring Exposures: Risk and Protective Factors
Begin Date: 05 Aug 2024Module/Topic
Measuring Exposures
Chapter
Prescribed learning activities - combination of journal articles, chapter readings and online activities
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 12 Aug 2024Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6| Qualitative Data
Begin Date: 19 Aug 2024Module/Topic
Qualitative Data
Chapter
Prescribed learning activities - combination of journal articles, chapter readings and online activities
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7 | Sources of Public Health Data
Begin Date: 26 Aug 2024Module/Topic
Sources of Data for Public Health
Chapter
Prescribed learning activities - combination of journal articles, chapter readings and online activities
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8 | Interpreting Research Findings
Begin Date: 02 Sep 2024Module/Topic
Interpreting Research Findings
Chapter
Prescribed learning activities - combination of journal articles, chapter readings and online activities
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9 | Communicating and Describing Data Part 1
Begin Date: 09 Sep 2024Module/Topic
Challenging Bias
Chapter
Prescribed learning activities - combination of journal articles, chapter readings and online activities
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10 | Communicating and Describing Data Part 2
Begin Date: 16 Sep 2024Module/Topic
Communicating and Describing Data Part 1
Chapter
Prescribed learning activities - combination of journal articles, chapter readings and online activities
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11 | The concept of evidence
Begin Date: 23 Sep 2024Module/Topic
Communicating and Describing Data Part 2
Chapter
Prescribed learning activities - combination of journal articles, chapter readings and online activities
Events and Submissions/Topic
ASSESSMENT TASK 1B: THREE discussion posts due Friday Week 11 at 11:59 PM
Week 12 | Challenging Bias
Begin Date: 30 Sep 2024Module/Topic
The Concept of Evidence
Chapter
Prescribed learning activities - combination of journal articles, chapter readings and online activities
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 07 Oct 2024Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 14 Oct 2024Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Group Discussion
Each week, as part of the course learning materials, students are encouraged to contribute to discussions or activities using online tutorials or forums throughout the term. This assessment is divided into two parts.
ASSESSMENT PART 1A: Each student needs to contribute ONE discussion BEFORE Week 4 so that feedback will be provided to contributions made to enable students to improve their later contributions.
- ONE discussion post must be completed before week 4. Due Friday Week 4 at 11:59 PM, and weight 5%.
ASSESSMENT PART 1B: Each student must contribute at least THREE discussions throughout the term.
- THREE discussion posts must be submitted from week 4 to week 11. Due Friday Week 11 11:59 PM (weight 15%).
Students must copy their posts on Moodle (including the date and time of posting) and put them in ONE Word document when submitting. All posts must be titled appropriately, as they will be cross-checked with the online version. Any submission that does not match the online version will receive zero marks.
ONE discussion post due Friday Week 4 at 11:59 PM; THREE discussion posts due Friday Week 11 at 11:59 PM.
Formative feedback will be provided during the mid term break on contributions up to week 4. Summative feedback and grades will be provided at the end of term.
Students will be assessed on the quality of their input to forum discussion activities across the semester. Contributions will be assessed on the following criteria:
1. Comprehension and understanding of the topic
2. Relevance
3. Critical thinking and depth
4. Quality of expression
5. Engagement and interaction with colleagues
For each post, students will be given a grade ranging from 0 (poor), 2.5 (sufficient), to 5 (outstanding).
- Assess the source and quality of health information and data as related to public health.
- Identify and interpret appropriate measurements and data for public health.
- Communicate health information using a range of information technologies.
- Reflect on individual, cultural, and ethical perspectives relating to health measurement and data.
- Communication
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Online Quiz(zes)
The quiz is a combination of 20 multiple choice and short answer questions that will test your understanding of the core concepts for the unit covered in weeks 1 - 6, and it is due on Friday of week 7 at 11:59 PM.
- This Quiz will open on 28 August 2023 at 09:00 AM
- The questions for each student will be drawn randomly from a pool of questions.
- There is no time limit to complete the quiz and you can save your answers and return to them later (while the quiz is available).
- You will be allowed one attempt only.
- After you have submitted your attempt, you will get your grade for the quiz.
- Once the quiz has closed, you will get your final result from the quiz showing which questions you got right or wrong. This will let you know what areas you need to study/revise.
- You should choose the correct answer.
12
Other
Week 7 Friday (30 Aug 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Students will be able to see their grade and feedback after the quiz closes.
The quiz will assess students' understanding of topics covered in Weeks 1-6, including critical thinking, fundamental measurements of health outcomes, measurement of exposures, self-management and social awareness.
- Identify and interpret appropriate measurements and data for public health.
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Project (research)
Research and write a report on the impact of one (1) of the health outcomes below on population health in Australia over the last 20 years.
- Motor vehicle accidents
- COPD
- Skin cancer
- Dementia
- Gastrointestinal disease
The report is worth 50% of your overall grade. It should be 2500 (10% under- 10% over is acceptable) words long and include data visualisations. It will draw on appropriate sources to outline the differential impact of a particular health outcome or behaviour over the last 20 years in Australia. You should use headings and subheadings, where appropriate, to guide your reader and you must reference appropriately using either Harvard (preferred) or APA style.
Week 12 Friday (4 Oct 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Following certification of grades.
Relevance (30%)
- Communicates an understanding of the current issues around the selected topic in the Australian context
- Utilises a range of appropriate references
- Accuracy of data visualisations
Validity (40%)
- Depth of analysis of the chosen topic
- Originality of argument
- Quality of data visualisations
- Quality of references used
Organisation (20%)
- Clear communication of ideas
- Logical sequence
- Appropriate written style
Presentation (10%)
- Professional layout and consistent style (fonts, paragraph spacing, headings, etc)
- Appropriate headings & subheadings
- Data visualisations are consistent in style, attractive and easily interpreted
- Objects are appropriately labelled
- Correct spelling and grammar
- Referencing is consistent and correct according to Harvard style.
- Assess the source and quality of health information and data as related to public health.
- Identify and interpret appropriate measurements and data for public health.
- Communicate health information using a range of information technologies.
- Reflect on individual, cultural, and ethical perspectives relating to health measurement and data.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- 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?
