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Unit of study_

REHB5933: Research and Evidence in Practice

Semester 1, 2022 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The unit prepares the student for the Masters' capstone project. Content focuses on the fundamentals of evidence and research as it applies to the field of Rehabilitation Counselling. Students will explore quantitative research models and concomitant statistical designs; qualitative research and protocol; and the integrative thinking behind mixed methods. Action research will be a focus of discussion and activities in-class. Students will learn and model the scientist/practitioner as critical consumers of research and advocates for evidence-based practice. Students will prepare for their capstone project by engaging the field and placement site in topic development, and through an initial, supporting literature review.

Unit details and rules

Unit code REHB5933
Academic unit Participation Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
REHB5911 and REHB5912 and REHB5913 and REHB5914 and REHB5921 and REHB5922 and REHB5923 and REHB5924
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Basic statistics, graduate level proficiency in writing (English)

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lisa Vaccaro, lisa.vaccaro@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Lisa Vaccaro, lisa.vaccaro@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment SCP01 Annotated Bibliography & Scoping Question
Bibliography
15% Week 06
Due date: 18 Apr 2021 at 23:59

Closing date: 18 Apr 2021
3000 words approximately
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO8
Assignment SCP02 Scoping Review & Capstone Proposal
Literature review
40% Week 13
Due date: 20 Jun 2021 at 23:59

Closing date: 20 Jun 2021
3500 words approximate
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO8 LO9 LO11
Tutorial quiz CQ01-12 Comprehension Quiz
short weekly online quiz, on module content
25% Weekly 5 questions. 15 mins, 1 attempt, Wk1-12
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO12 LO10 LO9 LO7 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task TA01-13 Tutorial Activities
supervised activities/tasks in class or AT01-13 completion
20% Weekly ongoing (weeks 1-13)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO12 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Weekly Quiz covering on-line module content from, Week 1 to 12 – 5 items (multiple choice, true/false, matching, fill in the blanks, and short answer) per week [60 items in total]
  • Tutorial Participation taps experiential learning – group activities and peer support, advancement of UoS project, and developing SCP00 products
  • SCP00 project based learning – with Capstone development

 

Access detailed description of assessments and assignments in Canvas home page

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.

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:

Following university policy

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 1.01 Orientation: Understanding Evidence-based Practice 2.01 SCP01: Capstone Prep Block teaching (2 hr) LO8 LO9
Week 02 1.02 Literature Reviews: Overview 2.02 SCP01: Project Development Block teaching (2 hr) LO5 LO9
Week 03 1.03 Literature Reviews: Scoping Review 2.03 SCP01: Scoping Review Plan Block teaching (2 hr) LO5
Week 04 1.04 Quantitative Research: Non-Experimental Design 2.04 SCP01: Scoping Review Implement Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 05 1.05 Quantitative Research: Experimental Design 2.05 SCP01: Scoping Review Implement (continued) Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 06 1.06 Qualitative Research: Focus Groups & Grounded Theory 2.06 SCP01: Scoping Review Implement (continued) Block teaching (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 1.07 Qualitative Research: Case Studies & Ethnography 2.07 SCP01: Project Progress Review Block teaching (2 hr) LO3 LO5
Week 08 1.08 Mixed Methods: Best Practice Design 2.08 SCP02: Project Report: Introduction and question Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO9 LO11
Week 09 1.09 Analytical Designs: A Developmental History of Empowerment 2.09 SCP02: Project Report: Methodology Block teaching (2 hr) LO5 LO11
Week 10 1.10 Action Research: Intentional Systems Change 2.10 SCP02: Project Report: Results Block teaching (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO9 LO11
Week 11 1.11 Program Monitoring, Evaluation & Gap Analysis 2.11 SCP02: Project Report: Conclusions Block teaching (2 hr) LO5 LO7 LO11
Week 12 1.12 Research Ethics: Aspirational & Otherwise 2.12 SCP02: Capstone Development Block teaching (2 hr) LO5 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 13 1.13 Synthesis: The Scientist-Practitioner Ethos 2.13 SCP02: Capstone Development Block teaching (2 hr) LO9 LO11

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are required to remotely attend weekly tutorial classes (online via Zoom). Attendance will be recorded and assessed.

Students unable to attend are expected to participate in and complete an online activity (AT01-13). 

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.

Required readings

There is no required textbook for this unit.

All required and recommended readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library’s reading list system Leganto, available on Canvas.

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. Identify the different kinds of quantitative research and the utility of their products.
  • LO2. Describe the how ANOVA and regression statistics facilitate our understanding of the phenomena we study.
  • LO3. Identify the different kinds of qualitative research designs and the utility of their products
  • LO4. Describe how grounded theory methodology facilitates our understanding of the phenomena we study.
  • LO5. Design and implement a scoping review to facilitate professional growth.
  • LO6. Describe the relationship between action research and advocacy.
  • LO7. Describe programme monitoring and evaluation research as a key function of quality management.
  • LO8. Critique the depth and limitations of current evidence-based practice in the rehabilitation counselling profession.
  • LO9. Integrate research principles into the scientist-practitioner model of practice
  • LO10. Apply ethical principles and decision-making strategies to applied research with respect to clients and their families, the rehabilitation counselling profession, and society.
  • LO11. Develop research manuscript writing skills.
  • LO12. Understand how Analytical Research Design can facilitate intentional systems change

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.

Over the past several years, based on the valuable feedback of students undertaking this unit, it has undergone significant revision and refinement. No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.