Overview
This course introduces the principles and practical methods used to investigate Male Gestational Science, Obstetrics, and Perinatal Care as an interdisciplinary field. Topics include research questions and hypotheses; literature searching and systematic review; qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods designs; operationalization of clinical, social, and experiential variables; sampling and recruitment; survey and interview construction; observational and experimental approaches; data management; descriptive and inferential statistics; thematic and content analysis; reproducibility; preregistration; bias; validity; reliability; and interpretation of uncertainty.
Students develop skills in preparing research protocols, evaluating peer-reviewed evidence, selecting appropriate analytic methods, interpreting findings without overstatement, and communicating results through an abstract, methods section, research poster, and concise evidence-based presentation. Emphasis is placed on participant-centered research involving sensitive male gestational health information, inclusive recruitment, confidentiality, informed consent, and respectful investigation of populations whose clinical experiences may be marginalized or misunderstood.
Learning Outcomes
- Formulate research questions and testable hypotheses concerning male gestational endocrinology, obstetrics, and perinatal care.
- Evaluate peer-reviewed evidence using systematic searching, source appraisal, and reproducible review methods.
- Compare qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods designs for investigating clinical, social, and experiential dimensions of male gestation.
- Operationalize male gestational health variables and select valid, reliable measures for data collection.
- Construct appropriate sampling, recruitment, survey, interview, observational, and experimental procedures.
- Apply descriptive statistics, introductory inferential methods, thematic analysis, and content analysis to research data.
- Design a participant-centered research protocol addressing informed consent, confidentiality, bias, validity, and data management.
- Interpret uncertainty, limitations, and sources of error while avoiding unsupported clinical or social claims.
- Communicate research findings through an abstract, methods section, poster, and concise evidence-based presentation.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Lab | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Fortnightly | All semester |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quiz | Research methods quizzes (5 × 2%) | 10.00% |
| Assignment | Evidence review and annotated bibliography | 15.00% |
| Assignment | Participant-centered research protocol | 20.00% |
| Test | Data analysis practical test | 15.00% |
| Deliverable | Research poster and evidence-based presentation | 15.00% |
| Exam | Final examination | 25.00% |
Prerequisites
- Requirement 14 NCEA Level 2 English credits, externally assessed
- Requirement 14 NCEA Level 2 Biology credits, externally assessed
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
