Outline

Overview

Honours students undertake a supervised research project in a health discipline area. The student will work closely with their supervisors in planning a literature review, designing a study or refining the initial design, and communicating the outcomes of these processes in writing and orally. Students will also attend seminars and workshops that contribute to the successful completion of these tasks: classes on library skills, ethics in health research, writing a literature review, and presentation skills. Additionally students will meet with their supervisor(s) on a regular basis for other aspects of research supervision.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	HSBH4103
Academic unit	Health Sciences
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	HSBH4104
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Tatjana Seizova-Cajic, tatjana.seizova-cajic@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Research proposal Research proposal	100%	Formal exam period	3,500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Rejoinder Answers to questions about your research proposal	0%	Formal exam period	300 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Draft literature review Draft literature review - submit on Canvas and directly to supervisor	0%	Week 08 Due date: 15 Apr 2022 at 23:59 Closing date: 29 Apr 2022	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Literature review Literature review and research question	0%	Week 10 Due date: 06 May 2022 at 23:59 Closing date: 20 May 2022	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Research question and method Research question and method	0%	Week 12 Due date: 20 May 2022 at 23:59 Closing date: 27 May 2022	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Presentation Oral presentation of the research proposal (live or via Zoom)	0%	Week 13 Due date: 28 May 2021 at 13:00 Closing date: 28 May 2021	15 min
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Literature review and the research question (formative): Clearly outline the state of current knowledge in the area of interest and identify a knowledge gap that explains the relevance of your project. Your supervisor will guide you. You are writing a relatively short review (narrative, scoping or systematic), which is not meant to be publication-ready review but an introduction to your research proposal. Fine tuning the search criteria is important, and ability to revise the question – seek help along the way. The review should be focused, include the statement about a gap in the current knowledge and finish with your own research question.
Restated research question, choice and justification of method. Based on the feedback you received, revise the question. Also briefly describe chosen methods and justify them.
Oral presentation of the research proposal (formative): You will present the proposal to your peers, lecturers and other audience and obtain feedback. This is an opportunity to develop your oral presentation skills and get feedback on the proposal.
Research proposal (pass/fail): Describe your research plan in detail, clearly linking the proposed methods to your research aims. Use this final opportunity for reflection and feedback even if you have started collecting data.
Rejoinder: Examiners will comment on your research proposal and ask questions. You need to write down responses to three main questions they ask. This mimicks a typical grant application process, where you get a chance to briefly reply to reviewers. It gives you an opportunity to reflect on your project – use it well.

Note that tasks 1, 3 and 4 are hurdle tasks; you cannot complete this unit if you do not complete each of them. Only #4 is marked (with grade only, pass or fail); 1 and 3 are not marked but need to be serious attempts to count as completed.

More detailed information about assessments can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Assessment grading

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
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
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 02	Literature search and EndNote (with librarian)	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 04	Narrative literature review (MV)	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Systematic literature review (MFS)	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Ethics in research (GD)	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Writing workshop (TSC)	Workshop (1 hr)
Week 10	How to present (MV)	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Presentations practice (class time or other day/time - to be arranged) (MV)	Rehearsal (2 hr)
Week 12	Oral presentations (formative assessment) (RT; JMN)	Presentation (2.5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and to participate in discussions and activities. Attendance of less than 80% of the scheduled classes must be supported by written documentation.

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

Recommended readings and other resources (see lectures for any required readings):

Textbooks: See recommended online textbooks in sister unit HSBH4101 for chapters on ethics and literature search, and for explanations of concepts
National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) - Updated 2018: https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/national-statement-ethical-conduct-human-research-2007-updated-2018
Munn, Z., Peters, M.D.J., Stern, C. et al. Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach. BMC Med Res Methodol 18, 143 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-018-0611-x
Our library has many resources for researchers, please explore: https://library.sydney.edu.au/research/

– Example resources from the above link:

Theses from this and other universities: https://library.sydney.edu.au/research/finding-theses.html
Referencing and citation styles: https://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/citation (please use APA 6 unless the journal guidelines you follow request otherwise)
How to conduct a systematic review: https://library.sydney.edu.au/research/systematic-review/
Text and data mining: https://library.sydney.edu.au/research/text-data-mining.html
How to archive research data: https://library.sydney.edu.au/research/archiving-data.html
Variety of tutorials: https://www.sydney.edu.au/research/facilities/sydney-informatics-hub/workshops-and-training.html#stats

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. Conduct a literature review and write it up
LO2. Know the ethical principles of research and adhere to them
LO3. Develop oral presentation skills
LO4. Propose research that will increase knowledge

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.

This is the first time this unit has been offered in this format.

Additional information

Academic staff teaching in the unit:

Dr Justin McNab

Dr Tatjana Seizova-Cajic

Dr Rachel Thompson

Library staff:

Kanchana Ekanayake

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

Assessment grading

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

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

HSBH4103: Health Honours Project A

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Assessment grading

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

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect