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Unit of study_

OLET5402: Basics of Quantitative Research Design

Intensive June, 2021 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

All research questions are about variables and the building blocks of all studies are variables. This unit will help you think about variables in a disciplined and abstract manner regardless of your field of research. We will describe their types, based on several criteria (including level of measurement, role in the study, level of control over variables), and issues that arise when deciding how to measure variables. We will also introduce different terms used for the same basic concepts in different areas of study.

Unit details and rules

Unit code OLET5402
Academic unit Health Sciences
Credit points 2
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Tatjana Seizova-Cajic, tatjana.seizova-cajic@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task group assignment Video presentation
Contribute to two 10-min videos on study design (co-produced with a peer)
50% Please select a valid week from the list below
Due date: 02 Jul 2021 at 23:59

Closing date: 16 Jul 2021
2 x 10 min
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO6 LO5 LO4
Online task hurdle task Module 1 and 2 quizzes
Online quizzes with a criterion mark
25% Week 02 Two online quizzes worth a total of 25%
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Revised design
Assignment (600 words)
25% Week 07
Due date: 09 Jul 2021 at 23:59

Closing date: 23 Jul 2021
600 words + plots or images
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Two online quizzes test your understanding of concepts covered in Modules 1 and 2. [25%]

Your main task is to outline a simple study design. You will present it in a 10-min video recording using any format you like. You will also contribute to one such recording submitted by another student. In your recording, you will present your study design (6 min) and then discuss it with a peer who will do their best to ask constructive questions about any aspect of your study design (you will both participate in the 4-min debate). In their recording, you will assume the same role and ask questions about your peer's study design (your contribution: participation in the 4-min debate). [50%]

Your final piece of work is summary of your study design in 600 words or less (references don't count). What you describe may differ from your original design because you will consider the feedback from your peer and the lecturer; you may also have further thoughts on the matter yourself. [25%]

Assessments are not marked, they are all pass/fail. The weights shown above indicate their relative importance.

 

(worth 25%)

Assessment criteria

Pass criteria for assignments will be co-designed with students.

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.

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:

All assessments are Pass/Fail and no marks can be subtracted for lateness. Students can negotiate a later submission date with the lecturer for delays up to 1 week. For longer delays, Special Consideration is required or the student will not be able to complete the unit.

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 01 Complete Module 1, Module 1 quiz and sections 2.1 and 2.2 from Module 2 Independent study (4 hr) LO1 LO2
Introductions; concepts from the 0-cp unit (Modules 1 and 2) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Complete the rest of Module 2 (2.3, 2.4) and Module 2 quiz Independent study (4 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 03 Complete sections 3.1 and 3.2, Module 3 before class Independent study (4 hr) LO3 LO4
Experimental and observational studies; confounding; interaction; bias Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Complete section 3.3, Module 3 Independent study (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Complete section 3.4, Module 3 Independent study (4 hr) LO6
Panel discussions of papers; discuss your own study Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

You need to attend three classes in-person or via Zoom, depending on your choice at enrolment.

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 2 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 40-50 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Please see Canvas module ‘Core readings’.

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. Gain a broad perspective on research and appreciate its different types
  • LO2. Develop understanding of measurement and measurement uncertainty
  • LO3. Differentiate between experimental and observational studies in different research areas
  • LO4. Understand and apply the concepts of confounding and interaction
  • LO5. Develop the ability and confidence to analyze study designs in published research reports
  • LO6. Design and evaluate a simple quantitative study

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

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

Not applicable; this is a new unit.

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.