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Unit of study_

BSTA5020: Biostatistics Research Project 1

Semester 2, 2023 [Supervision] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The goal of this capstone unit of study is to give students practical experience in the application of the knowledge and skills learnt during the coursework Master's program. Projects can be created or provided in your workplace or by a researcher, research group or institution. Projects should be selected that allow students to consolidate the concepts and theories learnt throughout the coursework of the Master's program, providing opportunities to extend this knowledge, and be challenged as they would be in biostatistical practice. The project should involve analysing real data to answer one or more research questions. The statistical analyses conducted by the student must include multivariable regression modelling or a statistical problem of similar complexity.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BSTA5020
Academic unit Public Health
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
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48 credit points including BSTA5004 and (BSTA5008 or BSTA5009 or BSTA5210 or BSTA5211)
Corequisites
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None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Nicole De La Mata, nicole.delamata@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Research Training Modules
Canvas modules on research practice and ethics:RSCH9001, RSCH9002, RSCH9003
0% Week 03
Due date: 20 Aug 2023 at 23:59
3 x 1 hour modules
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment hurdle task Statistical analysis plan
Completion of a statistical analysis plan proforma
10% Week 04
Due date: 27 Aug 2023 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Presentation hurdle task Oral presentation
Audiovisual presentation
20% Week 10
Due date: 09 Oct 2023 at 23:59
10-12 mins, 15 slides
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Research project portfolio
Written reflective preface and project report
70% Week 13
Due date: 05 Nov 2023 at 23:59
6000 words, 30-40 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Research training modules: Students are required to enroll in and complete three Canvas based research modules: RSCH9001 Responsible Research Practice (1 hour module), RSCH9002 Human Ethics Module - General (1 hour module), and RSCH9003 Human Ethics Module - Health and Medical (1 hour module)
  • Statistical analysis plan: populate a statistical analysis plan proforma with the details of the proposed analysis in sufficient detail to allow another biostatistican to perform the analyses.
  • Oral presentation: a presentation describing the research project, inlcuding the research questions, details of the analysis approach, results summary, limitations and methodological challenges, and current project status.
  • Research portfolio: a portfolio containing a reflective preface and a project report.

These assessments will be barrier tasks, and will be graded. Students must satisfy the requirements for all assessments to complete the unit of study. Marking rubrics and additional details for each assessment will be provided on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Result name Mark Range Description
High Distinction 85-100 Demonstrates the learning outcomes at an exceptional standard
Distinction 75-84 Demonstrates the learning outcomes at a very high standard
Credit 65-74 Demonstrates the learning outcomes at a good standard
Pass 50-64 Demonstrates the learning outcomes at an acceptable standard
Fail 0-49 Does not meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard

 

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
Ongoing Research Project (as approved by the Unit Coordinator) Project (140 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

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.

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. Appreciate the challenges facing biostatisticians in professional practice
  • LO2. Demonstrate strategies for elicitation of pertinent research questions and associated biostatistical issues from a health or medical research project
  • LO3. Collaborate with a health or medical researcher in devising a strategy for statistical analysis of research data
  • LO4. Perform data integrity checks and an appropriate statistical analysis involving multivariable regression
  • LO5. Present results and interpretation of biostatistical analyses in a written report of a standard suitable for publication in an academic journal

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
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         

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

The assessments for the course (statistical analysis plan, oral presentation, and research project portfolio) have been converted from pass/fail to graded assessments, in response to the BCA Program Review conducted in 2019, and the Master of Biostatistics Course review conducted by the University of Sydney in 2021. These graded assessments will provide the opportunity for students to demonstrate excellence in both relevant technical and so-called 'soft' skills, and facilitate continuous project progress throughout the semester.
  • Departmental permission is required to undertake this unit of study.
  • For Supervision (SU) mode, an appropriate project and supervisory arrangements must be in place before permission will be granted.
  • Professional Practice (PP) mode is only available to NSW Ministry of Health Biostatistics Training Program candidates, with enrolment coinciding with the timing of their Final Assessment presentations.

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.