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Start on your path towards a research career and gain the real-world skills required to plan, implement and investigate key issues and developments in the field of tropical health and medicine.

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Skills to succeed

Research and technology skills

Access to experts

Gain one-on-one guidance and support

Pursue your goals

Continue on to a Master of Philosophy or PhD

Online: February, July
Townsville: February, July
Cairns: February, July

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible

Fees currently displayed are indicative only. 2024 fees will be uploaded by October, 2023.

1 year full-time

or part-time equivalent

AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health, health science, medicine, medical science, or veterinary science discipline; with a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the final year; or equivalent

114206

What to expect

Looking to pursue postgraduate study and discovery? Develop the skills to excel in health and medical research with the Graduate Diploma of Research Methods. In this one-year degree, you will gain fundamental skills, strategies and methods for planning, implementing and completing a research project in a field of animal or human health.

Combine your passions for research and healthcare in the tropics. Study two core subjects, and tailor your course to suit your interests by choosing four electives from JCU’s wide range of research-based subjects. Options include Research Methodologies for Health Professionals, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Qualitative Research Methods for Public Health Practitioners, and more

Learn how to develop and write a research proposal and conduct a literature review to an academic standard. You will have the opportunity to design your own independent research project including a rationale, methods and ethics application. Complete a small-scale research project, then plan and write a research-based thesis and communicate your findings to a variety of audiences.

As you learn how to conduct independent research, you’ll be supported by leading research advisors, who provide personal advice and guidance tailored to your research focus and your own developing research style.

Upon graduation, you will be prepared to successfully apply your research skills in a professional medical or clinical context. Eligible graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Research Methods may apply to higher degree by research programs in the field of Tropical Health and Medicine.

Consult the handbook for more information.

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 review the inherent requirements for the Graduate Diploma of Research Methods.

Career Opportunities

JCU Graduate Diploma of Research Methods [Tropical Health and Medicine] graduates have the skills to succeed in a higher degree by research.

Graduates pursue MPhil or PhD programs in the field of Tropical Health and Medicine and go on to lead successful research careers. You will also have the skills to undertake minor research projects in your workplace.

Handbook

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 Masters by 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

Fees and scholarships

A Student Services and Amenities fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.

A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.

Pathways to JCU

Consult the admission requirements section in the Handbook for prerequisites and pathways into this course.

How to apply

Complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.

Graduate Diploma of Research Methods [Tropical Health and Medicine] applicants must also complete and upload the following forms and documentary evidence with their application:

Academic Transcript
Testamur (only required if your transcript does not indicate degree completion)
Research Area and a brief outline to ensure the most appropriate Advisor can be appointed for the duration of your course.
Research Advisor with expertise in the field that aligns with your Research Area. A list of Advisors is available.

It is preferred that you nominate a Research Advisor at the time of application, however, it is not mandatory at the time of submitting your application.

Student

Stephanie King

Graduate Diploma of Research Methods [Tropical Health and Medicine]

The staff at JCU really care about you and support you to grow your skills. There is a real understanding of what you are going through at different stages of your life, it’s a very personalised and non-judgmental approach. I received a really high standard and quality of teaching.
Lecturer

Dr Diana Mendez

Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Research Methods Course Coordinator

You’ll build your research capacity and credentials towards pursuing further Master or Doctoral studies. This learning experience will lead you into the exciting world of research and help you contribute to your field of interest, as well as effect change in your industry by answering real-world questions.