Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Research Methods for Pharmacy Students

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ONPS2490

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

ONPS2490

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024,
Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Thilini Thrimawithana

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7125

Course Coordinator Email: thilini.thrimawithana@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 201.09.06


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Recommended Prior Study :

You should have satisfactorily completed or received credit for the following course/s before you commence this course: 

Recommended Concurrent Study :

It is recommended to undertake the following course/s at the same time as this course as it contains areas of knowledge and skills which are implemented together in practice. 

If you have completed prior studies at RMIT or another institution that developed the skills and knowledge covered in the above course/s you may be eligible to apply for credit transfer. 

Alternatively, if you have prior relevant work experience that developed the skills and knowledge covered in the above course/s you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. 

Please follow the link for further information on how to apply for credit for prior study or experience. 


Course Description

This course builds upon the requisite knowledge in pharmacy practice, therapeutics and drug delivery and aims to provide you with the research skills required to successfully complete ONPS2491 (Pharmacy Research Project) or PHAR1034 (Pharmacy Services Project). You will rely on these skills as a practicing pharmacist.

Please note that if you take this course for a bachelor honours program, your overall mark for the course will be one of the course marks used to calculate the weighted average mark (WAM) that will determine your award level. This applies to students who commence enrolment in a bachelor honours program from 1 January 2016 onwards. See the WAM information webpage for more information (http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=eyj5c0mo77631)


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) for BH102 Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours):

  • PLO 2: Research, critically evaluate and apply evidence in professional practice 
  • PLO 5: Communicate effectively for the delivery of patient-centred care
  • PLO 6: Identify areas for personal development to improve competency

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) for BH102P24 Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours):

  • PLO 1 Apply breadth and depth of pharmaceutical and health science theories, concepts and evidence in various real world settings using a scientific approach to improve patient and population health.  
  • PLO 2 Apply and critically evaluate evidence-based pharmaceutical and health knowledge and skills to conceptualise and deliver safe and effective practice in a variety of contexts, independently and collaboratively, with emerging technological advancements 
  • PLO 3 Apply research principles and methodology to design and implement a research project to address complex real-world scientific challenges, and make original contribution to current disciplinary knowledge. 
  • PLO 5 Communicate to diverse audiences utilising contemporary and traditional formats employing integrity, inclusivity and culturally safe practices to ensure patient-centred care


Upon the successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate adherence to policy, integrity and ethics principles in research;
  2. Analyse and critique literature to prepare a literature review on a given topic;
  3. Develop a rationale, research question and aim(s) for a selected research topic by critically reviewing the existing literature;
  4. Apply appropriate research methods, techniques, and tools to analyse, and interpret data;
  5. Communicate a research problem and plan using appropriate language


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both. 

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course. 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Research Proposal
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 3 & 5 

Assessment Task 2: Literature Review
Weighting 40%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 5 

Assessment Task 3: Test
Weighting 15%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 4 & 5 

Assessment Task 4: Data Analysis
Weighting 15%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 4 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.