Skip to main content
Unit of study_

PHAR4815: Research Methods

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Research Methods is a component of the Honours elective, and is designed to extend students' knowledge and skills in research methods and problem solving, as well as oral and written scientific communication. The workshop and seminar series in the unit will equip students with the advanced research skills needed for their research projects. Research projects will commence in Semester 1 and will be completed in Semester 2 under the direct supervision of an academic staff member or supervisory team.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PHAR4815
Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
PHAR3100 and PHAR3815 and PHAR3825 and PHAR3816 and PHAR3817 and PHAR3818 and PHAR3819 and PHAR3826 and PHAR3827 and [PHAR3820 or (PHAR3828 and PHAR3829)]
Corequisites
? 
PHAR4811 and PHAR4812 and PHAR4823 and PHAR4100.
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Edwin Tan, edwin.tan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Literature review search strategy and outline
Proposal
5% Week 05
Due date: 27 Mar 2020 at 09:00
3 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6
Presentation hurdle task Scientific presentation
Oral presentation
5% Week 09
Due date: 30 Apr 2020 at 14:00
5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6
Presentation hurdle task Literature review and research protocol
Oral presentation
25% Week 13
Due date: 28 May 2020 at 14:00
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Literature review manuscript in project research area
Literature review
55% Week 14 (STUVAC)
Due date: 01 Jun 2020 at 09:00
4500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment hurdle task Data management
Assignment
10% Week 14 (STUVAC)
Due date: 02 Jun 2020 at 09:00
N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO7
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Data management assignment: Assignment on the principles of data management.
  • Literature review search strategy and outline: A written outline of the project literature review paper.
  • Scientific presentation: Students are required to present on a research article, covering the background, aims, methods, results and conclusion of a published research study.
  • Literature review manuscript in project research area: Students will submit a narrative review (or a systematic review) and compilation of previous research on a specific research topic. The review should crtitically analyse and interpret established findings from previous studies, conflicting evidence from the literature, and identify gaps in published work.
  • Literature review and research protocol: Students will present on their research study literature review and the proposed research design.
  • Seminar report: Students will submit a narrative summary of one faculty research seminar, either pharmacy practice or pharmaceutical science-based seminar.

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

 

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.

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 Orientation and Ethics Lecture (5 hr)  
Week 01 Literature search 1 Workshop (2 hr)  
Seminar Seminar (1 hr)  
Academic writing Workshop (2 hr)  
Honours overview Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 02 Literature search 2 Workshop (2 hr)  
Seminar Seminar (1 hr)  
Literature search 3 Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 03 Data management 1 Workshop (2 hr)  
Seminar Seminar (1 hr)  
Research methods - questions and study design Workshop (2 hr)  
Journal club 1 Workshop (1 hr)  
Week 04 Data management 2 Workshop (2 hr)  
Seminar Seminar (1 hr)  
Systematic reviews Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 05 Data Management 3 Workshop (2 hr)  
Seminar Seminar (1 hr)  
Research Ethics and Integrity Workshop (2 hr)  
Journal Club 2 Workshop (1 hr)  
Week 08 Data Management 4 Workshop (2 hr)  
Seminar Seminar (1 hr)  
Scientific Presentation Skills Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 09 Data Management 5 Workshop (2 hr)  
Seminar Seminar (1 hr)  
Scientific Presentation - Student Presentations Presentation (3 hr)  
Meet with supervisors Independent study (2 hr)  
Journal Club 3 Workshop (1 hr)  
Week 10 Data Management 6 Workshop (2 hr)  
Seminar Seminar (1 hr)  
Qualitative Research 1 Workshop (2 hr)  
Journal Club 4 Workshop (1 hr)  
Week 11 Data Management 7 Workshop (2 hr)  
Seminar Seminar (1 hr)  
Qualitative Research 2 Workshop (2 hr)  
Revision session - Lit reviews/assessments Workshop (1 hr)  
Week 12 Data Management 8 Workshop (2 hr)  
Seminar Seminar (1 hr)  
Qualitative Research 3 Workshop (2 hr)  
Journal Club 5 Workshop (1 hr)  
Week 13 Data Management 9 Workshop (2 hr)  
Seminar Seminar (1 hr)  
Student Presentations of Lit Review Presentation (4 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend a minimum of 85% of compulsory activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Dean, Associate Dean or coordinator. The Dean, Associate Dean or coordinator most concerned may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%.

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. search databases and retrieve, evaluate and report information of significance for a research project
  • LO2. plan and write a critical literature review
  • LO3. show independence in carrying out and managing a literature review
  • LO4. work efficiently in a research team
  • LO5. demonstrate high level research skills
  • LO6. deliver high quality work by oral and written presentations
  • LO7. understand basic statistical analyses

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.

In response to student feedback, data management content has been revised, and new content on academic writing has been introduced.

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.