Outline

Overview

Students learn how to seek best evidence, and summarise research papers and literature reviews. Students will develop digital literacy competencies and will apply these skills to their academic and professional practice, developing their critical thinking, and professional due diligence.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Communication Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	CSCD3085 or CSCD4051
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Rebecca Sutherland, rebecca.sutherland@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Early Feedback Task Early feedback task - in class quiz.	5%	Week 03 Due date: 10 Mar 2026 at 08:00 Closing date: 30 Mar 2026	15 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Assignment 1 - summary of a research article Analyse and summarise one journal article	25%	Week 04 Due date: 20 Mar 2026 at 23:00 Closing date: 30 Apr 2026	750 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Summary and critique of research articles Sumary and critique of journal articles, using templates and excel software	35%	Week 08 Due date: 24 Apr 2026 at 23:00	1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group oral presentation Group presentation regarding evidence based practice	35%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2026 at 23:00	10 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Early feedback task (Quiz) 5%

Assignment 1 (Journal article summary) 25%

Assignment 2 (Summary and critique of 5 articles) 35%

Group presentation 35%

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	The learning outcomes of the unit of study have not been met to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% of available marks per day late. Work submitted more than 10 calendar days late will receive a mark of zero. Contact the UoS coordinator regarding any concerns.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to EBP	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to EBP	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	What is evidence?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	What is evidence?	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	How do I make sense of journal articles?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	How do I make sense of journal articles?	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Journal articles: qual, quant and review	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Journal articles: qual, quant and review	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Where do I find evidence?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Where do I find evidence?	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Searching for evidence	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Searching for evidence	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Is all evidence created equal?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Is all evidence created equal?	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Quality evaluations of evidence	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Quality evaluations of evidence	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Acknolwledging research evidence	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Acknowledging research evidence	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	What about the other parts of the diamond?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	What about the other parts of the diamond?	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Communicating about evidence	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Communicating about evidence	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Hot topics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Hot topics	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Wrap up	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Wrap up	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are strongly encouraged to attend lectures and tutorials. Tutorials are not recorded and will be used to support assessment task completion.

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

Readings will be available each week on the relevant Canvas page

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.

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

LO1. Identify and access relevant research evidence using proprietary tools such as academic databases reference management software and artificial intelligence software, supporting academic tasks and early professional practice.
LO2. Understand the purpose and structure of a literature review, demonstrating the ability to summarise key findings from research papers relevant to speech pathology practice.
LO3. Develop foundational digital literacy skills by using proprietary tools such for data entry, management, and interpretation in relation to speech pathology research and practice.
LO4. Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate evidence, recognising the importance quality and context of evidence in clinical decision-making
LO5. Understand the principles of evidence-based practice (EBP) and understand its role in speech pathology, focusing on the relationship between research, clinical expertise, client values, and contextual environments.
LO6. Demonstrate professional responsibility by using research evidence appropriately in discussions and assignments, acknowledging sources and applying ethical principles in academic work

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 1.1.b. We exercise informed ethical judgement consistent with the Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics. 2.5.a. We acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from different sources to develop and inform our practice, including • contemporary theory • research, practice, evidence, outcomes, knowledges and experiences of individuals and their supports, and community members, leaders and Elders • speech pathology colleagues and colleagues from other disciplines • cultural, ethical, legal, policy and organisational knowledge and requirements.
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 2.5.a. We acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from different sources to develop and inform our practice, including • contemporary theory • research, practice, evidence, outcomes, knowledges and experiences of individuals and their supports, and community members, leaders and Elders • speech pathology colleagues and colleagues from other disciplines • cultural, ethical, legal, policy and organisational knowledge and requirements. 2.5.b. We recognise limitations in the speech pathology evidence base relevant to our areas of practice. 2.6.a. We participate in reciprocal learning with our speech pathology colleagues, colleagues from other disciplines, students, service users, their families and social networks, and community members, leaders and Elders. 2.7. Contribute to the speech pathology evidence base
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 1.2.b. We adhere to Speech Pathology Australia standards, policies and practice guidelines. 2.5.a. We acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from different sources to develop and inform our practice, including • contemporary theory • research, practice, evidence, outcomes, knowledges and experiences of individuals and their supports, and community members, leaders and Elders • speech pathology colleagues and colleagues from other disciplines • cultural, ethical, legal, policy and organisational knowledge and requirements.
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 1.1.b. We exercise informed ethical judgement consistent with the Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics. 1.2.b. We adhere to Speech Pathology Australia standards, policies and practice guidelines. 2.5.a. We acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from different sources to develop and inform our practice, including • contemporary theory • research, practice, evidence, outcomes, knowledges and experiences of individuals and their supports, and community members, leaders and Elders • speech pathology colleagues and colleagues from other disciplines • cultural, ethical, legal, policy and organisational knowledge and requirements. 2.6.a. We participate in reciprocal learning with our speech pathology colleagues, colleagues from other disciplines, students, service users, their families and social networks, and community members, leaders and Elders. 2.7. Contribute to the speech pathology evidence base
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 2.5.a. We acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from different sources to develop and inform our practice, including • contemporary theory • research, practice, evidence, outcomes, knowledges and experiences of individuals and their supports, and community members, leaders and Elders • speech pathology colleagues and colleagues from other disciplines • cultural, ethical, legal, policy and organisational knowledge and requirements. 2.5.b. We recognise limitations in the speech pathology evidence base relevant to our areas of practice.
	Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) - 1.1.b. We exercise informed ethical judgement consistent with the Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics. 1.2.b. We adhere to Speech Pathology Australia standards, policies and practice guidelines.

Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards (2021) -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.2.b		We adhere to Speech Pathology Australia standards, policies and practice guidelines.
2.5.a		We acquire, critique and integrate knowledge from different sources to develop and inform our practice, including • contemporary theory • research, practice, evidence, outcomes, knowledges and experiences of individuals and their supports, and community members, leaders and Elders • speech pathology colleagues and colleagues from other disciplines • cultural, ethical, legal, policy and organisational knowledge and requirements.
2.5.b		We recognise limitations in the speech pathology evidence base relevant to our areas of practice.
2.6.a		We participate in reciprocal learning with our speech pathology colleagues, colleagues from other disciplines, students, service users, their families and social networks, and community members, leaders and Elders.
2.7		Contribute to the speech pathology evidence base

Responding to student feedback

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

NA - first presentation of content

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CSCD1041: EBP in Speech Pathology

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links