CQUniversity Unit Profile
ESSC11004 Study and Research Skills for Health Science
Study and Research Skills for Health Science
All details in this unit profile for ESSC11004 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

The unit is designed as a foundation for students entering tertiary health sciences courses. Students will learn to identify, retrieve and critically evaluate information pertaining to the health sciences. This unit will provide students with the necessary skills to assist further study in their chosen course with a focus on proficiency of written and oral communications, understanding research methodology and ethical practice, introducing basic statistics in informing clinical practise and presenting students with critical information gathering and recording strategies. Students will also be introduced to evidence based practise and understand its importance in their specific profession or discipline.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

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 1 - 2017

Distance
Mackay
Rockhampton

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Test
Weighting: 40%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 60%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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 Moodle

Feedback

Students liked the format and content of the course however some students have suggested to increase the small video content to inlcude more information for MAC computer users

Recommendation

The course specifically incorporates staff members who are dedicated MAC users and the small video collection is gradually being developed. More MAC based videos are being planned.

Action

The staff members specifically working with MAC computers were involved in the unit again. More information and detail was provided for MAC computers.

Feedback from Moodle

Feedback

Students liked the smaller video format and structure for lectures

Recommendation

This style of devlivery will remain in the course and the format and structure will only be developed to improve

Action

The small video format remained and was again appreciated.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Identify, retrieve and critically evaluate information pertaining to the health sciences
  2. Demonstrate awareness of the different methods of written and oral communication in health science research
  3. Describe research methodology and the role of research in informing clinical practice and decision making
  4. Describe the main uses of statistics in health science analysis and research
  5. Understand evidence-based practice and identify its use in specific professions and disciplines
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Online Test - 40%
2 - Written Assessment - 60%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
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 - Online Test - 40%
2 - Written Assessment - 60%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • EndNote (bibliographical software). You MUST use EndNote bibliographic software to format your references for the main assessment item. This software is available to both on-campus and flex students and is available for Windows and Mac users. Consult ITD for instructions on how to download this software. You are encouraged to trial this software early as I will be providing tips on its use and links to instructions each week. It is easy to use and very helpful. See https://my.cqu.edu.au/group/it-services/endonte to access the software
  • Internal students strongly encouraged to bring laptop, notebook/iPad or smart phone/iPhone to class if possible. It's not essential as we can share these.
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Brendan Humphries Unit Coordinator
b.humphries@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 06 Mar 2017

Module/Topic

Introduction to study and research skills.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Mar 2017

Module/Topic

Critical thinking: Evaluation of evidence and reflective practice.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Mar 2017

Module/Topic

Information searching skills: Databases such as Cochrane Library, Medline, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Mar 2017

Module/Topic

Plagiarism, referencing and EndNote.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 03 Apr 2017

Module/Topic

EndNote and Microsoft Word.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 10 Apr 2017

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 17 Apr 2017

Module/Topic

Introduction to scientific writing.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 24 Apr 2017

Module/Topic

Writing: Important rules and tips.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

EndNote and Word Assessment Due: Week 7 Thursday (27 Apr 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 8 Begin Date: 01 May 2017

Module/Topic

Oral presentation skills.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 08 May 2017

Module/Topic

Understanding research.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 15 May 2017

Module/Topic

Research design and ethical concerns.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 22 May 2017

Module/Topic

An introduction to using and understanding statistics: Descriptive statistics, probability and commonly used statistical terms and tests.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 29 May 2017

Module/Topic

An introduction to using and understanding statistics: Measuring differences and relationships.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Final Online Quiz Due: Week 12 Friday (2 June 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 05 Jun 2017

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Jun 2017

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

This unit has NO exam

Term Specific Information

EndNote is a bibliographical software that we will be using during the term. You MUST use EndNote to format your references for the main assessment item (Endnote and Word Assessment). This software is available to both on-campus and distance students and is available for Windows and Mac users. Consult ITD for instructions on how to download this software. Also, the university library (http://libguides.library.cqu.edu.au/endnote-installation) has excellent resources for loading the software. You are encouraged to download and trial this software early (before term starts) and I will be providing tips on its use and links to instructions each week. It is easy to use and very helpful. See https://my.cqu.edu.au/group/it-services/endonte to access the software. PLEASE read the instructions carefully, DO NOT just select the Endnote.exe file.

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Test

Assessment Title
Final Online Quiz

Task Description

The final online quiz will consist of 30 randomly generated questions to be completed in 60 MINUTES. Questions will be presented as multiple choice, written (take care with spelling), true/false, and matching questions. The content for questions will be taken from key knowledge, concepts, and associated readings discussed over term from weeks 1 to 12.

It is your responsibility to log onto Moodle and complete the 60 minute quiz within the 48 hour time period allocated. Once logged on, you must complete the quiz as it cannot be saved and you cannot return to it later. The quiz will be made available over a 48 hour period from Wednesday 5.00 pm to Friday 5.00 pm AEST in week 12.

You will receive your mark immediately on completion of the quiz. However, correct answers will not be released until certification of grades.

NOTE: Further details for the final quiz will be posted on the Moodle site.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (2 June 2017) 5:00 pm AEST

The online quiz will open on Wednesday (week 12) at 5.00 pm and will close on Friday (week 12) at 5.00 pm.


Return Date to Students

You will receive your mark out of 40 immediately but correct answers will only be made available after certification of grades.


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

The final quiz will be marked as right or wrong.

Students should take care with spelling (Australian English) and grammar, as answers are spelling and grammar sensitive.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
The quiz must be completed online through the unit Moodle site during the 48 hour period it is open.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Identify, retrieve and critically evaluate information pertaining to the health sciences
  • Demonstrate awareness of the different methods of written and oral communication in health science research
  • Describe research methodology and the role of research in informing clinical practice and decision making
  • Describe the main uses of statistics in health science analysis and research
  • Understand evidence-based practice and identify its use in specific professions and disciplines


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
EndNote and Word Assessment

Task Description

This assessment piece requires you to locate and use recent (published within the last five [5] years) primary source material for your 200 word summary on a topic of interest to you. Your summary should provide a very brief introductory overview of what the key issue is, focussing on two important aspects of the issue that you have chosen whilst considering their value and drawbacks. The summary should be completed with a final concluding statement. In this assessment, you should aim to make use of recent primary scientific journal articles and case reports, to make your work as up-to-date as possible and to obtain the best possible mark. A video presentation on this assessment task will be available on the Moodle site for this unit, to give you further support.

The primary focus of this assessment piece is to encourage students to:

(1) Develop an appropriate research question/topic (any topic of interest – some will be provided)

(2) Search appropriate literature from academic/scientific databases

(3) Export the literature into a bibliographic software package (EndNote)

(4) Utilise EndNote to assist with appropriate in-text referencing (APA or Harvard) and develop a reference list

(5) Critically analyse the information and provide a 200 word written and referenced summary

Please note the following details:

• Text should be word-processed using Microsoft Word, with appropriate layout, grammar, spelling, and in-text referencing.

• All references will be required to be downloaded into EndNote. A minimum of five (5) references are required for the file with three (3) of the references including the accompanying full text manuscripts.

• The list of references should form the last section at the end of the assessment. Referencing should be in either APA or Harvard format.

Please save/upload your EndNote library file as a COMPRESSED Library file with the full-text manuscripts included in the library (i.e., as an .enlx file).

*** You MUST use EndNote bibliographic software to format your references for this main assessment item. This software is available to both on-campus and distance students and is available for Windows and Mac users. Consult ITD for instructions on how to download this software. You are encouraged to trial this software early (week one) as I will be providing tips on its use and links to instructions each week. It is easy to use and very helpful. See https://my.cqu.edu.au/group/it-services/endonte to access the software.


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Thursday (27 Apr 2017) 5:00 pm AEST

Submitted through Moodle unit site.


Return Date to Students

Week 9 Friday (12 May 2017)

Grades will be sent to you through the Moodle unit site, along with a marking rubric and comments from our marking team. Unit coordinator will post global comments back to all students via Moodle the week after all assignments have been marked.


Weighting
60%

Assessment Criteria

There are very detailed assessment criteria for this assessment piece. See Unit Moodle site under the Assessment Block for the actual Assessment Rubric. In summary, the following criteria are critical:

(1) Develop an appropriate research question/topic of interest.

(2) Search appropriate literature from academic/scientific databases such as Cochrane Library, Medline, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus

(3) Export the literature into a bibliographic software package (EndNote)

(4) Utilise EndNote to assist with appropriate in-text referencing (APA or Harvard) and creation of a reference list

(5) Critically analyse the information and provide a 200 word written and referenced summary

(6) Formatting: double spacing with size 12pt standard fonts (Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri).

(7) Spelling and Grammar

See the unit Moodle site under the Assessment Block for detailed assessment criteria.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submitted through Moodle unit site.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Identify, retrieve and critically evaluate information pertaining to the health sciences
  • Demonstrate awareness of the different methods of written and oral communication in health science research
  • Describe research methodology and the role of research in informing clinical practice and decision making


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

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?