In this unit of study you delve deeper into the methods used in health research, building on your knowledge from previous years (see the prerequisites). You will attend lectures and interactive workshops, and complete online study modules. After the common foundations, the unit will be split in streams so that each student will learn either quantitative or qualitative data analysis in depth (not both), depending on their prior learning. As part of quantitative methods, we cover experimental and observational (survey, case­control, cohort) study designs, and linear model and logistic regression for data analysis. Qualitative approaches include ethnography, grounded theory, phenomenology and narrative. Methods include interview, focus group and text based. The unit will help with your specific Honours project.

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough". This quote is widely attributed to Albert Einstein, but regardless of its provenance, it suggests that one measure of an expert's knowledge can be found in their ability to translate complex ideas so that they are accessible to anyone. The communication of science to the public is essential for science and society. In order to increase public understanding and appreciation of science, researchers must be able to explain their results, and the wider context of their research, to non-experts. This unit will explore some theoretical foundations of science communications, identify outstanding practitioners and empower students to produce effective science communication in different media. In this unit you will learn the necessary skills and techniques to tell engaging and informative science stories in order to bring complex ideas to life, for non-expert audiences. By undertaking this unit you will develop a greater understanding of the wider context of your honours unit, advance your communication skills and be able to explain your honours research to non-expert audiences such as friends, family or future employers. These transferable skills will equip you for future research - where emphasis is increasingly placed on public communication and/or outreach - or professional pathways - where effective communication of complex ideas is highly valued.

An indispensable attribute of an effective scientific researcher is the ability to collect, analyse and interpret data. Central to this process is the ability to create hypotheses and test these by using rigorous experimental designs. This modular unit of study will introduce the key concepts of experimental design and data analysis. Specifically, you will learn to formulate experimental aims to test a specific hypothesis. You will develop the skills and understanding required to design a rigorous scientific experiment, including an understanding of concepts such as controls, replicates, sample size, dependent and independent variables and good research practice (e. g. blinding, randomisation). By completing this unit you will develop the knowledge and skills required to appropriately analyse and interpret data in order to draw conclusions in the context of an advanced research project. From this unit of study, you will emerge with a comprehensive understanding of how to optimise the design and analysis of an experiment to most effectively answer scientific questions.

In the contemporary world, a wide variety of ethical concerns impinge upon the practice of scientific research. In this unit you will learn how to identify potential ethical issues within science, acquire the tools necessary to analyse them, and develop the ability to articulate ethically sound insights about how to resolve them. In the first portion of the unit, you will be familiarised with how significant developments in post-World War II science motivated sustained ethical debate among scientists and in society. In the second portion of the unit, you will select from either a Human Ethics module or an Animal Ethics module and learn the requirements of how to ensure your research complies with appropriate national legislation and codes of conduct. By undertaking this unit you will develop the ability to conduct scientific research in an ethically justifiable way, place scientific developments and their application in a broader social context, and analyse the social implications and ethical issues that may potentially arise in the course of developing scientific knowledge.

Honours students undertake a supervised research project in a health discipline area. The student will work closely with their supervisors in planning a literature review, designing a study or refining the initial design, and communicating the outcomes of these processes in writing and orally. Students will also attend seminars and workshops that contribute to the successful completion of these tasks: classes on library skills, ethics in health research, writing a literature review, and presentation skills. Additionally students will meet with their supervisor(s) on a regular basis for other aspects of research supervision.

Honours students undertake a supervised research project in a health discipline area. Each student will contribute to designing and/or implementing an approved research project and submit a thesis describing the project and its implications. In completing the research thesis, the student will work closely with academic staff, normally 2 co-supervisors, who will supervise their research activities.

Honours students undertake a supervised research project in a health discipline area. Each student will contribute to designing and/or implementing an approved research project and submit a thesis describing the project and its implications. In completing the research thesis, the student will work closely with academic staff, normally 2 co-supervisors, who will supervise their research activities.

Honours students undertake a supervised research project in a health discipline area. Each student will contribute to designing and/or implementing an approved research project and submit a thesis describing the project and its implications. In completing the research thesis, the student will work closely with academic staff, normally 2 co-supervisors, who will supervise their research activities.

Honours students undertake a supervised research project in a health discipline area. Each student will contribute to designing and/or implementing an approved research project and submit a thesis describing the project and its implications. In completing the research thesis, the student will work closely with academic staff, normally 2 co-supervisors, who will supervise their research activities.

Honours students undertake a supervised research project in a health discipline area. In completing the research thesis, the student will work closely with academic staff, who will supervise their research activities. Each student will contribute to designing and/or implementing an approved research project and submit a thesis describing the project and its implications comprised of their literature review, research proposal, journal manuscript and final oral presentation.

All students in Science Honours must enrol in this non-assessable unit of study in their final semester. This unit will contain your final Honours mark as calculated from your coursework and research project units.