Overview
This unit provides opportunity for students to complete discipline specific research activities during the 3rd year of their course of study. This involves application of scientific research methodologies to a research problem.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisite: BMED19003 Clinical Biochemistry or BMSC12010 Clinical Biochemistry
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 - 2017
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).
Residential Schools
This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.
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 Student feedback
Slow response to student queries
Investigate ways of improving student support throughout the term, as well as improving feedback response times.
Feedback from Student feedback
The ability to choose an area of interest to research was good
Maintain this aspect of the course.
- Develop and deliver a concise research proposal.
- Apply scientific research metholodogies to complete a research project.
- Present research findings via written and oral presentations.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||
| 2 - Presentation - 30% | |||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 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 - 20% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Presentation - 30% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
w.aspden@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students should contact their Discipline Leader to find out what projects or review topics are available (some of these topics may also be on Moodle). Students may suggest their own project or review topic to the Discipline Leader for their opinion on feasibility.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students are required to email the Unit Coordinator a title and brief paragraph summary of their planned project or review (approx. 200 words). Students should start searches for relevant literature as soon as possible and not leave writing until just before a deadline. A high standard of writing is expected and should be worked on as time permits throughout the term.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
If doing a hands-on Research Project submit the proposal by Friday, Week 4, for review as to its feasibility. Note that this should be a short project that can be completed and written up by Friday Week 10. Although this is a short project consider speaking with your Discipline Leader about a follow up Honours Project.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
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Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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Events and Submissions/Topic
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Events and Submissions/Topic
All students submit 'Assessment 3 Written Assessment' (project report or literature review) by Friday.
In order to meet deadlines students doing a hands-on project should commence writing parts of their report (such as draft introduction, materials and methods) during the project and not leave writing the full report until the end of the project.
Students doing a literature review, rather than a hands-on project, submit both your literature review and your Research Proposal (arising from findings in your review) by Friday.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
All students submit Oral Presentation video by Friday.
If you do not have software for doing a webcam recording, at the time of writing this (16 June, 2017), Camtasia can be downloaded for a free trial for 30 days. There are help videos available from the Camtasia site, linked on Moodle.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Note: While it says in the General Information section there is a compulsory residential school, this is not the case. This is an administrative error carried over from last year's Unit Profile. I was unable to rectify this yet because it requires a Unit Change Proposal to go in followed by review by several committees.
1 Written Assessment
Students should first consult their area Discipline Leader, or associated research staff member, about the availability of a suitable project, which might include a hands-on research project, a data analysis project, or a literature review. Students may alternatively suggest their own project of interest to the Discipline Leader. Any suggestions would need to be feasible in terms of meeting any requirements for resources, ethics or safety approvals. For hands-on and data analysis projects students must submit a research proposal outlining the research topic and project plan, including a title, background, hypothesis or research questions, specific aim(s), methods and references, using the Research Proposal Template (available on the unit Moodle site). Note that hands-on projects need to be a short one to two weeks project, so everything can be finished and written up before the deadlines. Additional guidelines on writing a research proposal will be provided on the unit Moodle site. Students doing a hands-on or data analysis project will prepare this proposal in conjunction with advice from their Discipline Leader. For students doing a literature review, instead of a hands-on project, the research proposal will arise from any gaps in the research where further research is suggested. Students planning to do a literature review should consult with their Discipline Leader or other researcher on a suitable topic. Students are encouraged to suggest a topic for the literature review in an area of their interest.
Due Friday Week 4 for those doing a hands-on or data analysis project or Friday Week 10 for those whose project proposal originate from a literature review.
Return 2 weeks following submission.
Research questions and aims, 5 Marks
Introduction (summary of literature review), 5 Marks
Methodology/experimental approaches to be used, 5 marks
Unbiased view on anticipated possible results, 5 Marks
- Develop and deliver a concise research proposal.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Presentation
Students are required to provide a 15-minute oral presentation on their research or literature review via a webcam or video recording. For students who do not have software for a webcam recording, Camtasia can usually be downloaded for a 30 day free trial. Download and Help links are on the Moodle site.
Friday Week 11 of the Term.
Exam Week.
Clarity of presentation, structure, audience engagement and timing. 5 Marks
Quality of audio-visual aids and proficiency in the use of video/webcam technology. 5 Marks
Literature review and definition of research topic area. 10 Marks
Discussion of results or critical analysis of literature and future directions for the research. 10 Marks
- Develop and deliver a concise research proposal.
- Apply scientific research metholodogies to complete a research project.
- Present research findings via written and oral presentations.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Written Assessment
Students doing a hands-on or data analysis project must submit a final report (approximately 2500 words) on the research they conducted. The format of the report should be consistent with the guidelines on Writing Up a Project Report provided in the unit Moodle site. Guidelines will also be provided on the Moodle site for writing a detailed literature review (approximately 2500 words).
Friday Week 10 of term.
Two weeks after submission.
For students doing a hands-on or data analysis project:
Abstract/Introduction: Abstract provides an accurate summary of the project results (about 100 words) . Introduction clearly defines the research area · Provides background information on the area being researched · Provides a clear outline of why the research is required · Clearly outlines the aim(s). 10 Marks
Materials/Methods: Outlines all methods used in conducting the research (including statistical analysis) · Provides enough details for the experiments/methods to be reproduced. 5 Marks
Results, Discussion & Conclusion: Clearly states the results · Clearly discusses the results of the research · Shows clear understanding of how the results impact on the current understanding within the field · Demonstrates critical thinking and understanding in discussing the outcome of the research · Is able to state limitations of their work/methods/results/outcomes. 25 Marks
Referencing: All work that is not the author’s original contribution has been referenced correctly, consistently, and appropriately, using the Harvard System. 5 Marks
Overall presentation: The report includes key sections (abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion, reference list/citations) - may also be presented in the form of a journal article · Style, spelling and grammar are good, with no errors. 5 Marks
Total: 50 Marks
For students doing a literature review:
Introduction: Captures attention. Introduces theme and material to be reviewed. May include a historical perspective. 5 Marks
Research: Evidence of extensive literature and information searching and effective use of a range of sources, including numerous primary journal articles, and specific reviews and text books if relevant. As a general guideline, a minimum of 20 primary journal articles related to the topic and background should be researched and discussed. 20 Marks
Review style: Accurate information reviewed critically at a high level of technical understanding. Evidence of 'synthesis' of information researched (rather than a more simple catalogue of methods or reports) that highlights any conflicts in interpretation of the evidence. Evidence of original thought and creativity in writing style. There must be logical flow of information presented that engages with a reader who is knowledgeable of the various methods employed. The content of the review should be separated into logical sections, each with a subheading to enhance reader impact. Correct scientific writing style, grammar and spelling. Adherence to length (2500 words). 15 Marks
Conclusion: Sums up the findings from the review and should suggest future directions for research. 5 Marks
Referencing: All information should be thoroughly referenced in the body of the essay by using citations. All sources referred to should be listed at the end of the review. Referencing style should accurately follow the "Harvard" style. The quality of the references used will be part of the assessment. 5 Marks
Total: 50 marks.
- Develop and deliver a concise research proposal.
- Apply scientific research metholodogies to complete a research project.
- Present research findings via written and oral presentations.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
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?
