Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2012

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Research Methodology

Course code/s: HPHRMH, HPHRMC, HPHRMT, HPHRMP, HPHRMH, HPHRM, HPHMSW, HPHMSB, HPHMS

Course Coordinators:

Human Biosciences: Chris Van Der Poel ph (03) 9479 5166 email c.vanderpoel@latrobe.edu.au

Human Communication Sciences: Dr Jennifer Oates ph (03) 9479 1810 email j.oates@latrobe.edu.au

Clinical Vision Sciences: Connie Koklanis ph (03) 9479 1903 email k.koklanis@latrobe.edu.au

Physiotherapy: TBA

Podiatry: Daniel Bonanno ph (03) 9479 5839 email d.bonanno@latrobe.edu.au

Prosthetics and Orthotics: Rowan English ph (03) 9479 5862 email rowan.english@latrobe.edu.au

Public Health: Professor Pranee Liamputtong ph (03) 9479 1760 email pranee@latrobe.edu.au                                          

Social Work and Social Policy (AW): Dr Guinever Threlkeld ph (02) 6024 9810 email g.threlkeld@latrobe.edu.au

Social Work and Social Policy (BE): Dr Jennifer Lehmann (03) 5444 7851 email j.lehmann@latrobe.edu.au

Social Work and Social Policy (ME): Professor Christine Bigby ph (03) 9479 1016 email c.bigby@latrobe.edu.au

This course has been designed to replace master preliminary programs. It aims to provide the necessary preparation for higher degree studies for those candidates without substantial previous research experience, and to offer studies that are designed to suit the student’s background and proposed field of research. The course provides students with a recognised qualification upon satisfactory completion.

Students who complete this course should be able to demonstrate the acquisition of research skills and advanced discipline-specific knowledge. It is expected that diplomates will usually proceed to enrol in a higher degree by research, provided minimum average grade requirements are met. However, this qualification will assist candidates with professional advancement and progression to postgraduate coursework studies after full or partial completion of the program.

Admission requirements

A relevant degree is normally required for entry. In certain circumstances, consideration will be given to clinical or academic experience relevant to the intended field of study and whether the applicant has demonstrated the potential to undertake research. In these cases, consideration will be given to professional references, the applicant’s clinical and/or academic experience, publications and/or presentations, and the applicant’s entire academic record.

Course structure

Candidates enrol in the school offering the relevant discipline. The course comprises 120 credit points, including at least 15 credit points of research methods subjects, at least 15 credit points of discipline-specific subjects and a research project of at least 10,000 words.

Candidates with appropriate backgrounds may apply for credit for all or part of the research methods and discipline-specific subject requirements.

Subjects can be selected from the range of fourth-year subjects within the Faculty. One subject can be a literature review or reading subject related to the proposed research topic.

Human Biosciences

Human Biosciences (HPHRMH)
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-ALLYR HBS4RES Research Project 60
TE-SEM-1 HBS4LIT Literature Review 30
TE-SEM-1 PHE5HDD Health Data for Decision Making 15
plus  
discipline-specific subjects in consultation with the coordinator  

Human Communication Sciences

Human Communication Sciences (HPHRMC)
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 HCS4RCA Readings in Communication Disorders1 5
TE-SEM-1 HCS4RTA Research Thesis 30
TE-SEM-1 HCS4LEA Literature Evaluation A 15
TE-SEM-1 HCS4RCB Readings in Communication Disorders1 10
TE-SEM-2 PHE5HDE Health Data for Decision Making - Skills Enhancement 15
TE-SEM-2 HCS4LEB Literature Evaluation B 15
TE-SEM-2 HCS4RTB Research Thesis 30

Key: 1 or an approved equivalent subject

Orthoptics

Orthoptics (HPHRMT)
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-ALLYR ORT4RTP Research Thesis/Project 60
TE-ALLYR ORT4SCP Specialist Clinic Practice 30
TE-W08-09 PHE4RMH Research Methods in Health 15
TE-SEM-2 ORT4RIO Readings in Orthoptics 15

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy (HPHRMP)
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-ALLYR PTY4RPP Research Project 60
TE-SEM-1 PTY4RPA Readings in Physiotherapy A 20
TE-SEM-1 PTY4RPB Readings in Physiotherapy B 20
TE-SEM-2 PTY4RDP Graduate Research Design in Physiotherapy 20

 Podiatry

Podiatry (HPHRMH)
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-ALLYR HBS4RES Research Project 60
TE-SEM-1 HBS4LIT Literature Review 30
TE-SEM-1 PHE5HDD Health Data for Decision Making 15
plus  
discipline-specific subjects in consultation with the coordinator  

Prosthetics and Orthotics

Prosthetics and Orthotics (HPHRMH)
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-ALLYR HBS4RES Research Project 60
TE-SEM-1 HBS4LIT Literature Review 30
TE-SEM-1 PHE5HDD Health Data for Decision Making 15
plus  
discipline-specific subjects in consultation with the coordinator  

Public Health

Public Health (HPHRM)
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 PHE4THA Thesis Preparation 15
TE-SEM-2 PHE4THB Thesis 60
TE-W08-09 PHE4RMH Research Methods in Health 15
TE-SEM-1/2 one discipline-specific subject 15
TE-SEM-1/2 elective   15

For the Public Health elective list - please refer to www.latrobe.edu.au/students/health/forms

Social Work

Social Work (AW-HPHMSW, BE-HPHMSB, ME-HPHMS)
Teaching period Subject code Subject title Credit Points
TE-SEM-1 SWP4SPR1 Social Work and Social Policy Readings A 20
TE-SEM-1 SWP4STR1 Social Work Theory Readings: Theory and Practice 20
TE-SEM-1 SWP4THP1 Social Work Thesis Preparation 20
TE-SEM-2 SWP4THC1 Social Work Thesis C 60

Key: 1 or equivalent subject approved by the school.