Course and Subject Handbook 2024 Courses Postgraduate Courses Graduate Diploma of Research Methods

Graduate Diploma of Research Methods

Handbook year	Information valid for students commencing in 2024.
Course code	114206
Course type	Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8)
Owner	Academy
College	Healthcare Sciences Medicine and Dentistry Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences Arts, Society and Education Business, Law and Governance Science and Engineering

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites	Completion of at least an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant discipline; with a minimum grade point average of 5.0 (credit average) in the final year; or other qualifications recognised by the University as equivalent.
Minimum English language proficiency requirements	Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 2 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.
Additional selection requirements	Quota restrictions on the number of places available may apply from time to time as determined by the College.

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

24 credit points as per course structure

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Research Methods, graduates will be able to:

Identify, investigate, analyse and synthesise a research problem applying appropriate methodological concepts and theories in a small-scale research project
Apply knowledge and understanding of research ethics in the preparation of a successful ethics application for a research project
Design, plan, conduct and complete a substantial research-based thesis with creativity and initiative and a high level of autonomy and accountability
Analyse and interpret results from a research project, and critically evaluate and synthesise results in the context of contemporary research literature and / or demonstrate advanced knowledge of recent developments, discourses and debates in a relevant discipline area and/or related areas of professional practice
Demonstrate a high standard of ethical conduct in research, exercising autonomy, responsibility, accountability, and well-developed independent judgement
Communicate specialised knowledge, ideas and arguments accurately, coherently and creatively to a variety of audiences through written manuscripts and oral presentations.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent requirements	Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University's learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please visit: Postgraduate Research Methods.
Reasonable adjustments	All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure.

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

RM8501:06 Research Planning

RM8502:06 Research Project

OPTIONS

Select 6 credit-points of discipline appropriate postgraduate Research Methods subjects from List 1 or or equivalent subjects in consultation with the research project advisor and College Associate Dean, Research Education or Course Coordinator

PLUS

Select 6 credit-points of discipline appropriate postgraduate coursework or research dissertation subjects in consultation with the research project advisor and College Associate Dean, Research Education or Course Coordinator

List 1

BC5203:03 Advanced Bioinformatics

BZ5990:03 Toolkit for the Field Biologist

CP5090:03 Scientific Research Methods

CP5634:03 Data Mining

EA5018:03 Field Studies in Tropical Land and Water Science

ED5097:03 Research Design and Proposal

ED5190:03 Introduction to Educational Research

EV5502:03 Advanced Geographic Information Systems

EV5506:03 Remote Sensing

EV5953:03 Research Methods for Global Development

HS5102:03 Qualitative Research Methods for Health Professionals

HS7405:03 Research Methodologies for Health Professionals

LB5535:03 Multidisciplinary Research and Communication

MA5820:03 Statistical Methods for Data Scientists

SC5055: 03 Research Methods and Communication Skills

SC5202:03 Quantitative Methods in Science

SC5502:03 Design and Analyses in Ecological Studies

SS5103: 06 Post-Graduate Research Methods for the Social Sciences

TM5506:03 Social Science in Public Health

TM5515:03 Epidemiology for Public Health

TM5516:03 Biostatistics for Public Health

TM5529:03 Applied Health Economics

Location

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
JCU Cairns
JCU Singapore	Health and Medicine disciplines are not available at this campus location
JCU Townsville
External

Candidature

Expected time to complete	1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Maximum time to complete	3 years
Maximum leave of absence	1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites	Nil
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	Nil
Special assessment requirements	Nil
Professional accreditation requirements	Not applicable
Supplementary exam for final subject	Nil

Credit

Eligibility	Eligibility for credit will only apply to students who have completed the JCU Graduate Certificate of Research Methods. These students may apply for credit for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure
Maximum allowed	Students who have completed the Graduate Certificate of Research Methods may be eligible for up to 12 credit points of credit for equivalent subjects.
Currency	Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course.
Expiry	Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 13 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the candidate has not completed this course.
Other restrictions	Not applicable

Award Details

Award title	GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF RESEARCH METHODS
Approved abbreviation	GDipResMeth
Inclusion of majors on testamur	Not applicable - this course does not have majors
Exit with lesser award	Not applicable
Course articulation	Students seeking admission to a research higher degree should consult the University’s HDR Degree by Research Requirements. Students seeking admission to a Master of Philosophy must have obtained at least a GPA 5.0 (Credit) for the supervised research component of the Graduate Diploma of Research Methods (RM8501 and RM8502). To be eligible to apply for direct admission to a Doctorate of Philosophy, must have obtained at least a GPA 6.0 (Distinction) for the supervised research component of the Graduate Diploma of Research Methods (RM8501 and RM8502).
Special awards	Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure