Developing a Novel Research Question

Postgraduate | 2026

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Area/Catalogue
PUBH 6020
Course ID icon
Course ID
208023
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
6
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 research preparedness course will reinforce and extend student learning with respect to the research process and development as a public health researcher. In a series of modules, the course focuses on specific aspects of doing research including: systematically searching, evaluating, and synthesizing relevant literature; reference management; presenting arguments regarding the merit and feasibility of their proposed research; and, best practice in reporting and publishing research. Students will develop critical thinking skills in the assessment of the validity of the published literature, evidence syntheses, and research reporting and publication.

Course learning outcomes

  • Identify a public health problem suitable for scientific investigation
  • Situate that problem within the relevant literature and existing evidence and identify gaps in the evidence about that problem (i.e. things worthy of further research)
  • Use appropriate online databases of research evidence and reference management software
  • Apply ethical principles of research to shape or modify the research proposal
  • Present a persuasive credible argument regarding the merit of a proposed research study

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A