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Unit of study_
PHAR3923: Research Methods
2026 unit information
This unit of study builds on the fundamental health research knowledge gained in FMHU2000 (Introduction to Research Methods in Health). This unit is designed to extend students' knowledge, skills and competence in research methods, data analysis, critical appraisal, and oral and written scientific communication. Students then apply these knowledge and skills by conducting and presenting a literature review for a chosen health research topic. The knowledge, skills and competence developed in this unit of study prepares students for their Honours research project (PHAR4913) and equips them to appropriately analyse and apply research evidence to the practice of pharmacy.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Pharmacy |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
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FMHU2000 |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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PHAR3921 and PHAR3922 |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Describe and apply commonly used statistical methods in health research.
- LO2. Demonstrate skills in research communication, such as written, oral and multi-media presentation skills, as well as providing, receiving and responding to feedback.
- LO3. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of different experimental and observational research designs used in pharmaceutical science and pharmacy practice research, and how these research designs can be appropriately applied to answer different research questions.
- LO4. Explain the importance of ethics approval in health research, and describe and apply principles of research ethics in research design and conduct.
- LO5. Conduct and present a critical appraisal discussion of a relevant published article relevant to assessment of the effectiveness and/or safety of a medicine.
- LO6. Formulate appropriate research questions systematically and plan, conduct and synthesise a literature review for a chosen health research question.
- LO7. Develop and demonstrate knowledge and core research skills relating to laboratory, quantitative and qualitative research.
- LO8. Demonstrate responsibility for personal and professional development through independent learning and continuous reflection.
- LO9. Apply appropriate writing and referencing techniques, including appropriately acknowledging sources, to uphold academic honesty.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2026
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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There are no availabilities for previous years.
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.