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ASSESSMENT 1 BRIEF
Subject Code and Title
PUBH6013 Qualitative Research Methods in Public Health
Assessment
Literature Review and Research Question
Individual/Group
Individual
Length
1000 words (+/- 10%)
Learning Outcomes
The Subject Learning Outcomes demonstrated by the successful completion of the task below include:
a) Appraise the scope and value of qualitative research and its importance in exploring public health issues and problems
c) Critically evaluate the public health evidence base to identify research gaps and apply qualitative research methodologies to develop a research proposal
e) Identify and apply ethical principles, scientific rigor and cultural sensitivity in qualitative research
Submission
Due by 11:55pm AEST/AEDT Sunday end of Module 4.
Weighting
25%
Total Marks
100 marks
Assessment Task
This assessment requires you to complete the following two tasks:
1) Critically review the literature on a pre-approved topic related to a contemporary health issue/problem; and
2) Formulate the research question(s) based on an identified gap in the literature.
Please refer to the Instructions for details on how to complete this assessment.
Context
A literature review is one of the most important components of public health research. A literature review ensures the need for and the practicability of the proposed research. It helps ensure that the researchers are familiar with the chosen topic/area of study, including what has been accomplished
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in the past and what needs to be accomplished in the future. Analyses of past accomplishments and future needs help in the identification of knowledge gaps. Such gaps should be taken as a basis for developing research question(s), and the research question(s) will further guide the development of a research plan.
Instructions
In this assessment, you need to conduct a literature review on a potential topic related to contemporary public health issues. The purpose of the review is to identify a knowledge gap in the chosen area/topic that will guide the formulation of the research question(s). Please note that Assessments 2 and 3 are both built upon Assessment 1.
To complete this assessment, follow the steps below.
1. Identify a topic related to a public health issue
When choosing the topic, ensure that:
• The topic is related to a contemporary public health issue.
• The topic matches your area of interest and proficiency.
• The topic is strong and specific rather than overly broad and general.
• The topic has enough supporting articles.
• You perform a brief preliminary search (if necessary) before deciding on a topic to ensure that it has enough supporting articles.
• You discuss the topic with your learning facilitator before finalising it.
2. Conduct a literature review
In conducting the literature review, you will need to:
• Identify the relevant keywords and databases for the search based on the scope of the topic, as well as the search strategies.
• Include 10–15 primary research articles. If you have used some papers or articles just to support the background of your topic that do not have any empirical findings, you should not count those.
• Support the literature review with adequate background information, such as the existing status of the health problem and theoretical descriptions or relevant theories.
• Extract major findings based on the scope of the topic.
• Analyse, synthesise and evaluate the literature by adopting the appropriate method.
3. Write a literature review
Your literature review should adopt the following format:
• Title: A clearly defined topic (10–15 words).
• Introduction/background (200 words): Brief background information about the chosen topic supported by theoretical underpinnings, data and statistics.
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• Findings and Discussion (700 words): Detailed analysis and synthesis of the major findings extracted from the chosen research articles; well-formatted in various themes/categories and sub-themes/categories.
• Conclusion (100 words): Summarise the main aspects of the existing body of literature, identify significant gaps in the existing knowledge, while linking your research to the existing knowledge, which will guide the research question(s).
4. Formulate research question(s)
Based on the identified gaps in knowledge from the literature review, you need to formulate the research question(s). The recommended number of research questions is one to three.
Note: You should mention the research question(s) immediately after the literature review in a separate section. In doing this, you do not need to provide any description/justification. The research question(s) will be the basis for Assessment 2 of this subject.
Format Parameters
The assessment should include a cover page that states the student’s name and identification number, subject name, assessment number, name and the word count (excluding references). The document should be formatted in 12-point Arial font with 1.5 line spacing.
Referencing
It is essential that you use appropriate APA style for citing and referencing research. Please see more information on referencing in the Academic Skills webpage.
Submission Instructions
Submit this assessment via the Assessment 1 link in the main navigation menu in the Blackboard portal of PUBH6013: Qualitative Research Methods in Public Health. Assessments sent via email or any other means will not be assessed. Your learning facilitator will provide feedback via the Grade Centre in the LMS portal. Feedback can be viewed in My Grades.
Academic Integrity
All students are responsible for ensuring that all work submitted is their own and is appropriately referenced and academically written according to the Academic Writing Guide. Students also need to have read and be aware of Torrens University Australia Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure and subsequent penalties for academic misconduct. These are viewable online.
Students also must keep a copy of all submitted material and any assessment drafts.
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Special Consideration
To apply for special consideration for a modification to an assessment or exam due to unexpected or extenuating circumstances, please consult the Assessment Policy for Higher Education Coursework and ELICOS and, if applicable to your circumstance, submit a completed Application for Assessment Special Consideration Form to your Learning Facilitator.
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Assessment Rubric
Assessment Attributes
Fail
(Yet to achieve minimum standard)
0–49%
Pass (Functional) 50–64%
Credit (Proficient) 65–74%
Distinction (Advanced) 75–84%
High Distinction (Exceptional) 85–100%
Topic and background (10%)
Selection of appropriate topic
Understanding of the public health issue and the need to address the issue
No topic provided.
Background to the topic (issue) is not clearly discussed.
Supporting evidence for the chosen issue is not discussed.
An understanding of the issue and the need to address it is not demonstrated.
Topic is provided but not clear and specific.
Limited discussion on the background to the topic.
Limited discussion of the data/evidence related to the selected issue.
Limited understanding of the issue and only a brief discussion of the need to address the issue.
Topic is clear and specific.
Background to the topic is well discussed.
Some discussion of the evidence related to the selected issue.
Good understanding of the issue and careful discussion of the need to address the issue.
Topic is clear, specific, and informative.
Background to the topic is well discussed with a logical flow of contents.
Adequate discussion of the evidence related to the selected issue with an excellent flow.
Excellent understanding of the issue/problem and a high-level discussion of the need to address the issue.
Topic is clear, specific, and informative.
Background to the topic is clearly and succinctly discussed.
Adequate discussion of the evidence related to the selected issue with a logical flow and an exceptional presentation.
Sophisticated understanding of the issue and a high-level discussion of the genuine need to address the issue.
Sources of literature review (15%)
Identification of appropriate literature (research papers, reports and government
Literature included are not appropriate and relevant.
Literature included are not from reliable sources
Literature included are appropriate and relevant to some extent.
Literature included are from reliable and published sources.
Literature included are very appropriate and relevant.
Literature included are from reliable and published sources.
Literature included are highly appropriate and relevant.
Literature included are from credible, reliable and published sources.
Literature included are exceptionally appropriate and relevant.
Literature included are from credible, reliable and published sources.
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documents) throughout the assessment
Inclusion of 10–15 research articles related to the topic
or are from unpublished sources.
Very limited (less than five) use of research articles.
Limited (more than five but less than 10) use of research articles.
Satisfactory (around 10) use of research articles.
Adequate (10–15) use of research articles.
Adequate (10 –15) use of research articles.
Analysis and synthesis (35%)
Properly analysed, synthesised and discussed the findings from the literature
Presentation of findings in various themes/categories and sub-themes/categories
No analysis, synthesis and discussion of the findings.
No organisation of the findings under themes/sub-themes.
Information is not supported by credible and relevant sources.
No conclusion is drawn, and no research gap identified or discussed.
Limited descriptive analysis, synthesis and discussion of the findings.
Inadequate organisation of the findings under themes/sub-themes.
Demonstrates an inconsistent use of good quality, credible and relevant sources to support and develop ideas.
Some indication of a conclusion is presented; research gap is identified but is loosely linked with the evidence discussed.
Good critical analysis, synthesis and discussion of the findings.
Satisfactory organisation of the findings under various themes/sub-themes.
Demonstrates consistent use of acceptable-quality, credible and relevant sources to support and develop ideas.
A conclusion is drawn; a research gap is sufficiently identified with clear links to the evidence discussed.
Excellent critical analysis, synthesis and discussion of the findings.
Adequate organisation of the findings under various themes/sub-themes with a proper logic and sequence.
Consistently demonstrates the use of good-quality, credible and relevant research sources to support and develop appropriate arguments and statements.
A conclusion is drawn from the evidence; a research gap is clearly identified and is adequately linked to the evidence discussed.
Exceptional critical analysis, synthesis and discussion of the findings.
Adequate organisation of findings under various themes/sub-themes with a sophisticated logic and sequence.
Demonstrates the use of high-quality, credible and relevant research sources to support and develop appropriate arguments and statements.
A detailed conclusion is drawn from the evidence; a research gap is significantly identified and is strongly linked to the evidence discussed.
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Research question(s) (20%)
Formulation of appropriate research questions based on the identified research gap from the literature review
Research question(s) is not present or not connected to the gap identified from the literature review.
Research question(s) is general and loosely connected to the gap identified from the literature review.
Research question(s) is specific and connected to the gap identified from the literature review.
Research question(s) is clear and specific and closely connected to the gap identified from the literature review.
Research question(s) is clear and specific and very closely connected to the gap identified from the literature review.
Writing style, word count and referencing (20%)
Very poorly written with multiple errors in spelling and grammar.
Deviates greatly from the recommended word count.
Referencing is omitted or does not resemble the required APA style.
Poorly written with some errors in spelling and grammar.
Some deviations from the recommended word count.
Referencing resembles the APA style, with frequent or repeated errors.
Well-written with minor errors in spelling and grammar.
Minor deviations from the recommended word count
Appropriate citations and adequate references with few minor errors in APA style.
Very well written with no errors in spelling and grammar.
No deviations from the recommended word count.
Appropriate citations and adequate references with no errors in APA style.
Expertly written with no errors in spelling and grammar.
No deviations from the recommended word count.
Highly appropriate citations and adequate references with no errors in APA style.
The following Subject Learning Outcomes are addressed in this assessment
SLO a)
Appraise the scope and value of qualitative research and its importance in exploring public health issues and problems
SLO c)
Critically evaluate the public health evidence base to identify research gaps and apply qualitative research methodologies to develop a research
proposal
SLO e)
Identify and apply ethical principles, scientific rigor and cultural sensitivity in qualitative research