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Unit of study_

PHAR4815: Research Methods

Semester 1, 2023 [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
Corequisites
? 
PHAR4811 and PHAR4812 and PHAR4823 and PHAR4100
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lorraine Smith, lorraine.smith@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Edwin Tan, edwin.tan@sydney.edu.au
Lorraine Smith, lorraine.smith@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Literature review search strategy and outline
Proposal
5% Week 06
Due date: 02 Apr 2023 at 23:59
3 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6
Presentation Scientific presentation
Oral presentation
5% Week 07
Due date: 05 Apr 2023 at 14:00
5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6
Presentation Literature review and research protocol
Oral presentation
25% Week 13
Due date: 25 May 2023 at 12:00
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Literature review manuscript in project research area
Literature review
55% Week 13
Due date: 28 May 2023 at 23:59
4500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Data management
Assignment
10% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2023 at 23:59
6 problems
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.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (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

At HD level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to students who demonstrate the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.

Distinction

75 - 84

At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the units material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the units material and can solve routine problems and/ or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.

Pass

50 - 64

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory adequately referencing the original source of the work.

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) LO5
Week 03 Literature search 1 Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Literature reviews/Academic writing Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Honours overview Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Data management 1 Workshop (2 hr) LO7
Week 04 Literature search 2 Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Literature search 3 Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Research methods - questions and study design Workshop (2 hr) LO5
Data management 2 Workshop (2 hr) LO7
Week 06 Journal club 1 Workshop (1 hr) LO5
Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Systematic reviews Workshop (2 hr) LO2
Data Management 3 Workshop (2 hr) LO7
Week 07 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Research Ethics and Integrity Workshop (2 hr) LO5
Journal Club 2 Workshop (1 hr) LO5
Data Management 4 Workshop (2 hr) LO7
Week 08 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Scientific Presentation Skills Workshop (2 hr) LO6
Data Management 5 Workshop (2 hr) LO7
Week 09 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Scientific Presentation - Student Presentations Presentation (3 hr) LO5 LO6
Journal Club 3 Workshop (1 hr) LO5
Data Management 6 Workshop (2 hr) LO7
Week 10 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Qualitative Research 1 Workshop (2 hr) LO5
Journal Club 4 Workshop (1 hr) LO5
Week 11 Data Management 7 Workshop (2 hr) LO7
Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Qualitative Research 2 Workshop (2 hr) LO5
Writing a scientific abstract Workshop (1 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 12 Data Management 8 Workshop (2 hr) LO7
Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Qualitative Research 3 Workshop (2 hr) LO5
Journal Club 5 Workshop (1 hr) LO5
Week 13 Data Management 9 Workshop (2 hr) LO7
Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Student Presentations of Lit Review Presentation (4 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6
Weekly Learning independently including pre-work, reports and assignments Independent study (46 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

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 Program Director.
If a seminar/workshop is missed due to illness or misadventure, students are to submit a special consideration application along with supporting documentation. Students arriving more than 10 minutes after the commencement of the seminar/ workshop will be marked as absent. Students swapping a class without prior approval from the UoS co-ordinator will be marked as absent.

 

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
LO1       
LO2       
LO3       
LO4       
LO5       
LO6       
LO7       

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 lit reviews and academic writing has been introduced earlier in the semester.

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.