Outline

Overview

The Research Methods unit of study prepares students for postgraduate studies. Generic research skills are developed through coursework, assignments, reports and presentations. The Unit of Study covers topics such as framing a research question, conducting systematic reviews, critical appraisal of research studies, study design and protocol development, data management, scientific writing and publication, presentations, basic statistics and other topics necessary for candidates to successfully complete the Master of Philosophy.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	PHAR6000
Academic unit	Pharmacy
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
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	Progress report 1 on meeting with research supervisor Report	5%	Week 10 Due date: 08 May 2020 at 17:00	2 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Critical appraisal of journal article Oral presentation	10%	Week 11 Due date: 12 May 2020 at 11:00	10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Research project protocol Oral presentation	20%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2020 at 10:00	10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Progress report 2 on meeting with research supervisor Report	5%	Week 13 Due date: 26 May 2020 at 17:00	2 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Supervisor’s feedback Report	10%	Week 14 (STUVAC) Due date: 01 Jun 2020 at 09:00	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Research project protocol Report	40%	Week 14 (STUVAC) Due date: 01 Jun 2020 at 09:00	15-20 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Data management assignment – statistics Take-home quiz	10%	Week 14 (STUVAC) Due date: 02 Jun 2020 at 09:00	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Critical appraisal of journal article: Short oral presentation to be made on critical evaluation of a journal paper using the techniques presented in the critical appraisal lectures. Each student will present a paper relating to their own project. Tutor will check the paper to make sure it is eligible for presentation. Students and tutors will provide critical comments and discussion at the session.
Progress report 1 on meeting with supervisor: Students will meet with their research supervisors to discuss their progress on the project. Topics can cover progress on design of research question and project, data collection, presentation of findings, obstacles to progress. A one to two-page written summary of research question, aims, and methods will be collected and discussed in class.
Progress report 2 on meeting with supervisor: Students will meet with their research supervisors to discuss their progress on the project. Topics can cover progress on design of research question and project, data collection, presentation of findings, obstacles to progress. A one to two-page written summary of research question, aims, and methods will be collected and discussed in class.
Research project protocol: The focus of this presentation is on the research protocol developed during the course. Preliminary data, if available, may also be presented.
Research project protocol: Written report of research protocol.
Supervisor’s feedback: Student’s research capability and commitment will be assessed by their supervisors.
Data management assignment - statistics: Complete problems about the principles of data management.

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	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.

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 03	Data management	Workshop (2 hr)
	Questions and Study Design	Workshop (2 hr)
	Writing a Protocol	Workshop (2 hr)
	Seminar	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 04	Data Management	Workshop (2 hr)
	Systematic Reviews	Workshop (2 hr)
	Seminar	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 05	Data Management	Workshop (2 hr)
	Systematic search methods	Workshop (2 hr)
	Seminar	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 06	Survey design	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 06	Seminar	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 07	How to get your paper published	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	Seminar	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 08	Data Management	Workshop (2 hr)
	Critical appraisal - Trials	Workshop (2 hr)
	Critical Appraisal - Observational studies	Workshop (2 hr)
	Seminar	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 09	Data Management	Workshop (2 hr)
	Scientific Presentation Skills	Workshop (2 hr)
	Critical appraisal - Animal studies	Workshop (2 hr)
	Seminar	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 10	Data Management	Workshop (2 hr)
	Critical appraisal - Qualitative studies	Workshop (2 hr)
	Protocol progress checkup	Workshop (2 hr)
	Seminar	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 11	Data Management	Workshop (2 hr)
	Student Oral Presentations - Critique a paper	Presentation (2 hr)
	Interpreting statistics 1	Workshop (2 hr)
	Seminar	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 12	Data Management	Workshop (2 hr)
	Interpreting statistics 2	Workshop (2 hr)
	Meet with supervisors	Independent study (2 hr)
	Seminar	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 13	Data Management	Workshop (2 hr)
	Critical appraisal - "Big data" studies	Workshop (2 hr)
	Final Student Presentations - Protocols	Presentation (5 hr)
	Seminar	Seminar (1 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

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. systematically search literature at an advanced level to identify research on a specific question
LO2. conduct a critical appraisal of a published study and present an oral presentation
LO3. plan a research project through effective collaboration with supervisors and other researchers
LO4. collaborate as required to progress towards a planned research objective
LO5. write a research protocol
LO6. report and present research findings at a high internationally acceptable standard
LO7. understand basic descriptive and inferential statistics.

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.

Data management content has been revised.

Additional information

Policy Register http://sydney.edu.au/policies/

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

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

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

PHAR6000: Research Methods

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

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

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