Skip to main content
Unit of study_

BHSC4012: Honours B: Applied Research Skills

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Honours students undertake a supervised research project in a health discipline area within the Faculty. Students will contribute to designing and/or implementing an approved research project and submit a thesis describing the project and its implications. In designing the methodology the student will work closely with academic staff/mentor who will supervise their research activities. Students will meet regularly with their supervisor; attend seminars and workshops that contribute to the research process and their thesis.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BHSC4012
Academic unit Health Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
BHSC3021
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Margaret McGrath, margaret.mcgrath@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Selecting an appropriate analytical approach for your study
Individual written assignment
40% Week 04
Due date: 13 Mar 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 13 Mar 2023
750 (min) - 1000 (max) words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO1 LO2 LO4
Assignment Data Analysis
Report
60% Week 08
Due date: 17 Apr 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 17 Apr 2023
1000 (min) -2500 (max) words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

  • Selecting an appropriate analytical approach for your study (40%)
    • Students are required to prepare a brief report desribing the approach taken to data analysis in their honours project The report shoud
      • Include a justification of the data analysis methods used
      • Provide a technical explanation of how the data analysis was conducted
  • Data analysis (60%)
    • Students are required to complete a basic data analyis using a supplied data set and report the findings. Students can choose from either a quantitive dataset or a qualiative dataset.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

 

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 02 Introduction to unit structure and overview of assessment tasks Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Choosing the appropriate analytical approach for your study Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4
Overview of quantitative data analysis Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 03 Data analysis in systematic and scoping reviews Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Displaying data and descriptive statistics Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Reporting findings from systematic and scoping reviews Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 04 Getting started with coding Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Analysing data: Hypothesis testing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Moving from codes to themes Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 05 Analysing Data: Reliability and association Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Interpreting qualitative data Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 06 Writing up results for different audiences Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Reporting quantitative data analysis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Wrap up Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

All students are required to attend the first (introduction) and final (review) seminars. A lot of topics will be covered during the semester, so some may be very relevant to your study while others may not be. Although you are encouraged to attend all sessions, you are asked to discuss the topics with your supervisor(s) and agree on what sessions you plan to attend. In addition to the scheduled classes students will meet regularly with their supervisors and attend for data collection and analyses as required.

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library’s reading list system Leganto, available on Canvas.'

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.

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

  • LO1. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of analysis methods appropriate for the honours study
  • LO2. Implement appropriate analysis methods required to complete the honours study
  • LO3. Demonstrate and report on progress with their research project
  • LO4. Demonstrate understanding of the research process

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 4.1.b. Find, critically appraise, interpret and apply best available research evidence to inform clinical reasoning and professional decision-making.
Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 - OTBA
1.13. Manages resources, time and workload accountably and effectively
1.7. Collaborates and consults ethically and responsibly for effective client-centred and interprofessional practice
2.1. Applies current and evidence-informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice
2.10. Maintains digital literacy for practice.
4.1. Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively
4.2. Adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context
LO2
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 4.1.b. Find, critically appraise, interpret and apply best available research evidence to inform clinical reasoning and professional decision-making.
LO3
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 4.1.a. Identify the challenge or question and the information that is needed to respond.
Domain 4.1.c. Provide evidence-informed patient/client-centred care by carefully considering the purpose of the proposed examination/treatment, reviewing existing protocols and methods, reflecting on clinical challenges or experiences and integrating knowledge and findings into practice.
LO4
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 4.1.d. Recognise opportunities to contribute to the development of new knowledge through research and enquiry.
Domain 5.4.b. Report on all incidents (including radiation and radioactivity incidents) as needed.

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

We have changed the assignments in this unit in response to feedback from students and supervisors whereby students struggled to see the relevance of the previous assignment and wanted the opportunity to develop more practical skills in data analysis. The first part of the assignment is now focused on supporting students to prepare to write up the analysis section of their honors paper while the second assignment provides an opportunity to complete a basic analysis of either a qualitative or quantitative data set. We have also included some additional checks during the unit to ensure that students are on track and meeting project milestones. This is in response to feedback from students and supervisors which indicates some projects are delayed causing additional stress during semester 2.

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.