Outline

Overview

This unit of study focuses on the knowledge and skills required for conducting research. It examines (i) research design and research methods including various data collection and analysis techniques; (ii) ethical considerations in undertaking research; and (iii) evaluating and critiquing the literature. Students will also develop skills for presenting their research, including oral presentation. With the assistance of their supervisor, students will begin a literature search and commence their literature review of their research topic. Preliminary findings may be presented during an oral assessment.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points	12
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sarah Kourouche, sarah.kourouche@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
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Assessment 1B: Q&A post oral Questions from audience/panel following presentation - answered by student	5%	Week 09	10 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 1A: Oral presentation Presentation	95%	Week 09	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1: Oral presentation – All students will deliver an oral presentation to academics and peers at Sydney Nursing School. Includes a Q&A component

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, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
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.

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:

Per coursework rules

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
Pre-semester	Ethics module	Workshop (2 hr)
Week -01	Approaches to research	Seminar (2 hr)
	Ethics and research integrity	Workshop (1 hr)
	Qualitative Research	Seminar (2 hr)
	Quantitative research	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Writing Research Proposals	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Presenting and disseminating your research	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 13	Oral presentations	Assessment (5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Full-time and part-time students enrolled in this unit of study are required to attend the orientation workshops (as well as use of learning sites provided specifically
for honours students. They must also attend Honours seminars during semester one (see eCommunity site). Regular meetings with their supervisor(s) should also be set.
Referencing style: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 7th Edition, 2020 as its official referencing style. This is an author-date style of referencing.
Assignment formatting guidelines: Unless the unit coordinator has indicated otherwise, please make sure your submitted assessments are formatted as follows:
- font: use Calibri or Times New Roman in 11 - 12 point
- double line spacing
- margins: 2.5cm each side
- use page numbers
- refer to assessment instructions for use of title and headings

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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Please see canvas

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. Demonstrate that they have acquired the skills necessary to refine a research question and select an appropriate research design and method for their study.
LO2. demonstrate through oral presentation that they have acquired the skills necessary to search background literature, plan and communicate their proposed research plan to peers
LO3. Display knowledge of the processes involved in setting up and conducting an independent research project.
LO4. Demonstrate an understanding of ethical considerations and implications when undertaking research

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.

The seminar series have been updated to reflect student feedback about needs.

Additional information

Research Integrity

Our Research Code of Conduct (pdf, 484KB) outlines the University’s policy for responsible research. Your responsibilities as a student researcher include:

honesty and integrity
respect for human research participants, animals and the environment
good management of public resources used to conduct research
appropriate acknowledgement of the role of others in research
responsible communication of research results.

It’s important that you understand any ethical implications, regulations or statutory guidelines that relate to your proposed research. The Ethics and integrity section of the intranet provides key information and advice on these matters.

Ethics application:

The majority of student research projects will require approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Local Health District, and/or the hospital or organisation where the research project will be undertaken. Where no appropriate local committee is in place (e.g. if conducting interviews with volunteers in a public place), the project must be submitted to the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of Sydney. Ethics Committee approvals must be in place before you enter the field and/or collect any data. A copy of your final ethics application and letter of approval from the Ethics Committee must be included in the final thesis.

Additional costs

The University and / or school will not cover additional research costs so should be considered when choosing research methods.

Work, health and safety

As a research student it is possible that part of your research will be carried out in a NSW Health facility. There are certain checks and clearances you will need to complete before you can undertake this work. This could be collecting samples from subjects in clinics, working in a laboratory or simulation unit located in or on public hospital grounds. For those candidates carrying out their studies in a NSW Health facility, it is important to discuss the checks and clearance requirements with your supervisor. If this applies to you, contact Work Integrated Learning at fmh-hdr.verification@sydney.edu.au as they will manage the submission of your documents to NSW Health.

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

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

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

NURS4025: Honours Thesis Introduction

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Singapore

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

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

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links