Unit rationale, description and aim

Research, the process of knowledge generation and communication, is a cornerstone of public health. Over the course of two units (PUBH651 Thesis A and PUBH652 Thesis B) completed in two semesters (one unit per semester) students will design, undertake and report on research they conduct under approved academic supervision. PUBH651 Thesis A addresses the first phase of the research project. In consultation with their supervisor(s), students will select a research topic relevant to public health that has sufficient scope to enable application of advanced reasoning and research skills. Students will first conduct a literature review on their selected topic, providing the background and rationale for their proposed research. Students will then design and write a detailed and feasible proposal for a research project that they will undertake in the following semester within PUBH652 Thesis B.

The research proposal will be assessed both by oral and written presentation. The aim of this unit, PUBH651 Thesis A, is to enable students to apply their knowledge of health research by producing a literature review and research proposal as the foundation for conducting independent research towards the completion of a public health research thesis in PUBH652.

2025 20

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  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Multi-mode
  • Semester 2Multi-mode
  • Term Mode
  • Semester 1Online Unscheduled

Prerequisites

HLSC641 Introduction to Health Sciences Research

Incompatible

PUBH649 Preparation for Practice , PUBH655 Practice Placement

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Demonstrate independent learning and critical thin...

Learning Outcome 01

Demonstrate independent learning and critical thinking in conducting a well-constructed literature review on a public health topic
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC3, GC7, GC9, GC11

Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in desig...

Learning Outcome 02

Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in designing a substantial, feasible and ethical research project
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC7, GC9, GC11

Integrate relevant literature, concepts and resear...

Learning Outcome 03

Integrate relevant literature, concepts and research method(s) into the research proposal
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC6, GC9, GC11

Present the literature review and research proposa...

Learning Outcome 04

Present the literature review and research proposal for a professional audience
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC9, GC10, GC11, GC12

Content

PUBH651 comprises a range of activities associated with a research project - topic selection, formulation of a research question, review of existing evidence and literature on the chosen topic, selection of research method(s), and application for research ethics approvals (if required). The subsequent unit, PUBH652, comprises the conduct and management of research activities, analysis of results and preparation of a research thesis/manuscript. 

Student research activities are distributed across Public Health Research Thesis A and B (PUBH651 and PUBH652), culminating in the final research thesis/ manuscript.

Assessment strategy and rationale

Assessment items are designed to scaffold students' knowledge and skill development in health research with support from their supervisor. Prior to the commencement of the research project, a learning contract (ungraded hurdle) will be developed by the student in conjunction with their research supervisor to promote open communication and establish a clear working relationship between student and supervisor. Students are supported to develop a literature review on a specific public health research topic, situating their research question within the existing body of literature. Students will then develop a written research proposal to identify, develop and plan appropriate research methods in preparation for undertaking independent research in PUBH652. Students will also orally present their research proposal for an academic audience. Each assessment item builds on its previous, and contributes to the capstone aim of preparation and submission of the final research thesis (PUBH652). To pass the unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome, complete the hurdle task, and obtain a minimum mark of 50% for the unit. Students will have unlimited attempts to achieve the ungraded hurdle task requirement until the end of week 12 of classes. 

Overview of assessments

Ungraded Hurdle: Student-supervisor learning con...

Ungraded Hurdle: Student-supervisor learning contract/agreement. To enable students to meet with their supervisor at the commencement of the research project to discuss expectations and foster a clear working relationship throughout the research period.

Weighting

Hurdle

Learning Outcomes LO2

Assessment 1: Written literature review. This en...

Assessment 1: Written literature review.

This enables students to identify, critique and synthesise relevant literature on a specific public health research topic.    

Weighting

40%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO4

Assessment 2: Oral presentation. This enables st...

Assessment 2: Oral presentation.

This enables students to present and justify the proposed research and to demonstrate effective oral presentation skills. 

Weighting

20%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment 3: Written research proposal. This en...

Assessment 3: Written research proposal.

This enables students to develop and plan a research proposal, based on the literature review, in preparation for undertaking independent research in PUBH652 on a specific public health research topic.   


Weighting

40%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

PUBH651 uses an active learning approach to support students to undertake supervised independent public health research in the subsequent unit PUBH652.

The unit is offered by on-campus classwork, supported by online material via the LMS

Teaching and learning strategies for all students are primarily via supervision sessions involving reflective/critical thinking activities and web-based learning. Teaching and learning strategies will reflect the expectation of students as independent learners. Students are expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively within supervision sessions. 

In this unit, students will complete a literature review and research proposal, in preparation for undertaking their research project in PUBH652. Students will work under the supervision of a principal supervisor, with other co-/associate supervisors as appropriate. Supervisors will advise the student on the development and conduct of research as appropriate, and will meet with the student at regular intervals to discuss progress and provide guidance. This strategy will accommodate students who can utilise all available tools for supervision including video conferencing tools for supervision sessions. 

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Alele, F., Malau-Aduli, B., James Cook University, issuing body, & Pressbooks, distributor. (2023). An introduction to research methods for undergraduate health profession students. James Cook University. https://acu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61ACU_INST/17ofh4e/alma991013452245402352


Ayton, D., Tsindos, T., Berkovic, D., Monash University, issuing body, & Open Educational Resources Collective. (2023). Qualitative research – a practical guide for health and social care researchers and practitioners. Monash University. https://acu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61ACU_INST/17ofh4e/alma991013349159702352


DePoy, Elizabeth (2026) Introduction to Research (7th ed.). https://www.clinicalkey.com/student/nursing/content/toc/3-s2.0-C20220004426

 

Health information and research essentials. (2024). The University of Queensland. https://acu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61ACU_INST/17ofh4e/alma991013455947102352


Machi, L. A., & McEvoy, B. T. (2022). The literature review: six steps to success (4th ed.). Corwin.


Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., & Altman, D. G. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. Annals of Internal Medicine, 151(4), 264–269. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00135


Polgar, S., & Thomas, S. A. (2020). Introduction to research in the health sciences (7th ed.). Elsevier. https://acu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61ACU_INST/13lm7d8/alma991013092698202352


Roga, E., Pruis, K., Federation University Australia, issuing body, & Council of Australian University Librarians. Open Educational Resources Collective, publisher. (2025). Introducing scoping and systematic reviews. Federation University Australia. https://acu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61ACU_INST/qpf7hm/alma991013493341102352

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