The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
Overview
An understanding of experimental design, statistical methods, ethics and the ability to critically analyse scientific reports is essential for graduates in the biological sciences. In this unit, you will study experimental design, ethics and commonly used statistical procedures. You will be introduced to hypothesis testing and experimental design, parametric and non-parametric analyses, one, two and multi sample analyses (including one way, two way, nested and randomised block ANOVA designs), correlation and regression, and data transformation. The learning and teaching strategy uses a clear, conceptual approach, which assumes that you have little or no statistical background.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: SCIE11024 Science Investigation
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2018
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Self-reflection.
The replacement of the residential school with Zoom practical sessions appeared to contribute to students being less engaged with the unit material, throughout the term.
Replace the Zoom practical sessions with face-to-face tutorials that can be recorded for students that cannot attend.
- Describe the uses, pitfalls and limitations of parametric and non-parametric statistical tests
- Choose an appropriate statistical test for a set of data
- Correctly use software programs for analysing scientific data
- Know when experiments require ethical clearance and explain the basic principles of ethical experimentation
- Critique scientific reports and research proposals in terms of the quality of their experimental design
- Design realistic experiments with appropriate control and replicates
- Explain the rationale behind statistical testing and probability levels.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 25% | |||||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 25% | |||||||
| 3 - Examination - 50% | |||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 25% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 25% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Examination - 50% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Statistics Explained
Edition: 2nd (2012)
Authors: McKillup, S.C.
Cambridge University Press
Cambridge Cambridge , UK
ISBN: 978-0-521-18328-4
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- IBM SPSS Statistics Graduate Pack edition. Version 19 or higher.
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
o.daniels@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
- Introduction to Scientific Analysis and Statistics
- The scientific method of 'doing' science
Chapter
1 and 2 of the study guide.
Textbook Chapters:
- McKillup (2005) - Chapters 1 and 2
OR
- McKillup (2012) - Chapters 1 and 2
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Types of data
- Essential concepts of sampling and experimental design
Chapter
3 and 4 of the study guide.
Textbook chapters:
- McKillup (2005) - Chapters 3 and 4
OR
- McKillup (2012) - Chapters 3 and 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Making decisions about the result of an experiment
- Working with samples
Chapter
5 and 6 of the study guide.
Textbook chapters:
- McKillup (2005) - Chapters 5 and 6
OR
- McKillup (2012) - Chapters 6 and 8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Normal distributions - simple tests for one and two samples
- Type I errors, Type II errors and sample size
Chapter
7 and 8 of the study guide.
Textbook chapters:
- McKillup (2005) - Chapters 7 and 8
OR
- McKillup (2012) - Chapters 9 and 10
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Normal distributions - tests for more than two independent samples
- Multiple comparisons after doing a one factor ANOVA
Chapter
9 and 10 of the study guide.
Textbook chapters:
- McKillup (2005) - Chapters 9 and 10
OR
- McKillup (2012) - Chapters 11 and 12
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Two factor analysis of variance
- Assumptions of ANOVA tests
- Transformations
Chapter
11 and 12 of the study guide.
Textbook chapters:
- McKillup (2005) - Chapters 11 and 12
OR
- McKillup (2012) - Chapters 13 and 14
Events and Submissions/Topic
Critique of a scientific paper Due: Week 6 Monday (20 Aug 2018) 11:55 pm AEST
Module/Topic
- Correlation analysis
- Simple linear regression
Chapter
13 and 14 of the study guide.
Textbook chapters:
- McKillup (2005) - Chapters 14 and 15
OR
- McKillup (2012) - Chapters 16 and 17
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Non-parametric statistics
Chapter
15 of the study guide.
Textbook chapters:
- McKillup (2005) - Chapter 16
OR
- McKillup (2012) - Chapter 19
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Non-parametric tests for nominal scale and categorical data
Chapter
16 of the study guide.
Textbook chapters:
- McKillup (2005) - Chapter 17
OR
- McKillup (2012) - Chapter 20
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Rank correlation and tests for ratio, interval and ordinal scale data
- Introduction to multivariate analysis
Chapter
17 and 18 of the study guide.
Textbook chapters:
- McKillup (2005) - Chapter 18
OR
- McKillup (2012) - Chapters 21 and 22
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practical Assessment Due: Week 10 Friday (21 Sept 2018) 11:55 pm AEST
Module/Topic
- Choosing the right statistical test
- Ethics
Chapter
19 and 20 of the study guide.
Textbook chapters:
- McKillup (2005) - Chapters 19 and 20
OR
- McKillup (2012) - Chapters 23 and 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Revision
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Your unit coordinator for this term is Dr. Olivia Daniels.
My email address is o.daniels@cqu.edu.au
1 Written Assessment
You are required to critique one published scientific paper, chosen from a list of four papers provided on the unit Moodle site. Your assessment of the published scientific paper should include the following:
- A clear and succinct description of the experiment(s)
- Comments on ethical clearance or lack of
- Flaws in the experimental design
- Interpretation of results and conclusions drawn.
You are also required to provide your own constructive suggestions for improvement. Links to four scientific papers are provided on the unit Moodle site. Please choose one of these papers for your critique. There is more information and help with the assignment on the Moodle site for BIOL12105.
Your assessment should be approximately 1500 words (absolute maximum of 1800 words). Penalties will apply for assessments that go over the maximum word count. Your assessment must be written using correct grammar and English expression. Your assessment should also be well presented using a plain text such as Times New Roman or Arial size 12 font. Please use ‘double space’ line spacing and do not use background images or themes. Your assessment should have your name, student number and a title on the first page of your critique.
All
essays will automatically be submitted to the similarity detection
website Turnitin, in accordance with CQUniversity policy. Please ensure
all work is your own and has not previously been submitted anywhere.
Week 6 Monday (20 Aug 2018) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 9 Monday (10 Sept 2018)
A breakdown of the marks is as follows:
- Correct grammar and English expression (20 marks)
- Correct citing / referencing of the journal paper that has been used for your critique (5 marks)
- Clear and succinct description of the experiment (5 marks)
- Faults in experimental design and interpretation identified and deficiencies explained (25 marks)
- Constructive diplomatic style used throughout the assessment (25 marks)
- Original style explaining concepts in your own words and explained clearly and logically (25 marks)
A marking rubric has been provided on the unit Moodle site.
- Describe the uses, pitfalls and limitations of parametric and non-parametric statistical tests
- Know when experiments require ethical clearance and explain the basic principles of ethical experimentation
- Critique scientific reports and research proposals in terms of the quality of their experimental design
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Ethical practice
2 Practical Assessment
You are required to evaluate the data from three different experiments, suggest an appropriate statistical test for each, carry out the tests using IBM SPSS statistics package and interpret the results. An assessment template with further instructions will be provided on the unit Moodle site. You must use this template to complete the assessment.
All
assessments will automatically be submitted to the similarity detection
website Turnitin, in accordance with CQUniversity policy. Please ensure
all work is your own and has not previously been submitted elsewhere.
Week 10 Friday (21 Sept 2018) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 12 Friday (5 Oct 2018)
Marks will be awarded for:
- Appropriate choice of test (20 marks)
- Correct use of the software (20 marks)
- Correct and complete statistics presented (30 marks)
- Complete, correct and appropriate interpretation of the outcome (30 marks)
- Correct grammar/English expression (30 Marks)
- Choose an appropriate statistical test for a set of data
- Correctly use software programs for analysing scientific data
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
Examination
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
