Introduction to Evidence Based Practice and Research in Health Sciences

Undergraduate | 2026

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Area/Catalogue
HLTH 1016
Course ID icon
Course ID
203760
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
1
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

This interdisciplinary course provides foundational principals, knowledge and skills for evidence-based practice in health sciences.

This course focuses on the principles, philosophies and processes which underpin evidence-based practice. Research methods are reviewed: quantitative and qualitative research frameworks, methodologies and methods, and data interpretation. Statistical issues addressed include: hypothesis generation, concepts of probability (including sensitivity and specificity), variance and error and tests for determining differences and associations (such as descriptive and inferential statistics). Key steps in evidence-based practice are introduced including using established frameworks to ask an answerable question, structured searching of the literature, critical appraisal of the literature using a range of tools, including hierarchy of evidence, rigour and trustworthiness and concepts such as sampling and sample size, effect size, odds ratio and number needed to treat, and implementation and translation of evidence to clinical practice.

Course learning outcomes

  • Describe principles, philosophies and processes which underpin evidence-based practice
  • Discuss key principles of quantitative and qualitative research paradigms, designs, methodologies and methods
  • Identify various forms of data, what it means, how it can be analysed and presented
  • Describe and apply key steps in evidence-based practice using established frameworks and tools (such as during searching of the literature and critical appraisal)
  • Identify potential threats to internal validity and what strategies can be used to avoid bias and improve rigour in research
  • Describe issues to consider when implementing and translating evidence to clinical practice.

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A