BHSC3021: Semester 2 Early, 2020

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Units BHSC3021 Semester 2 Early 2020 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

BHSC3021: Honours A: Research Design

Semester 2 Early, 2020 [Normal day] - Cumberland, Sydney

Overview

This unit provides the conceptual framework, theoretical knowledge and some practical skills required to understand how scientific research is conducted and interpreted. The core content is fundamental for researchers and clinicians alike for evidence-based-practice and life-long learning. Content and skills are taught/learned via a series of web-based and class-based activities.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	BHSC3021
Academic unit	Health Sciences
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Anne Honey, anne.honey@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Robert Heard, rob.heard@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
In-semester test (Record+)	Short answer, open book exam Students evaluate and analyse aspects of sample research design	25%	Week 08 Due date: 25 Sep 2020 at 14:00 Closing date: 25 Sep 2020	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Research Proposal Detailed research justification and plan	65%	Week 10 Due date: 16 Oct 2020 at 23:59	4000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Participation - weekly homework tasks Completion of weekly homework tasks	10%	Weekly	variable
Outcomes assessed:
= Type B in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Welcome and overview; 2. Getting started in research; 3. Research questions and aims; 4. Beginning to review the literature	Online class (4 hr)
Week 02	1. Writing skills2. Library searching; 3. Endnote	Online class (4 hr)
Week 03	1. Research ethics - principles and practice2. Introduction to quantitative research3. Experimental and observational designs	Online class (4 hr)
Week 04	1. Introduction to qualitative research; 2. Qualitative designs;3. Introduction to reviews;4. Considering research designs.	Online class (4 hr)
Week 05	1. Considerations in sampling and recruitment2. Considerations in data collection3. Considerations in data analysis	Online class (4 hr)
Week 06	1. Critical appraisal - quantitative2. Critical appraisal - qualitative	Online class (4 hr)
Week 07	1. Practice exam2. Proposal tutorial - peer review and questions	Seminar (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: It is expected that students will attend all classes unless otherwise advised.
Required materials:

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Weekly readings are provided on Canvas.

The following textbooks are recommended.

Denscombe, M. (2014). The good research guide: For small-scale social research projects (5th ed.). Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Education.

Polgar, S., & Thomas, S. A. (2013). Introduction to research in the health sciences (6th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.

Greenhalgh, T. (2016). Understanding research methods for evidence-based practice in health. (1st ed.). Melbourne: Wiley. (or 2020 - 2nd edition if available)

All are available from the bookshop and from the library as e-textbooks. Be aware that e-textbooks are limited in terms of the number of people who can view them at once.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. locate, manage, synthesise, appraise and correctly reference literature relevant to a specific research area
LO2. describe and interpret findings from different types of research designs
LO3. demonstrate clear research questions, aims and (where appropriate) hypotheses
LO4. design a research project to address your research question/s
LO5. identify and address ethical issues generally and in relation to your research project
LO6. provide and use peer feedback to improve and refine work
LO7. develop a written research proposal clearly articulating the significance of their project and specifying appropriate methods to conduct the project.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Feedback from 2019 students has resulted in reorganisation of material to ensure understanding and help students move toward their research proposal.

Additional information

Student Administration Manual on the Faculty of Health Sciences

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

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