In this unit, you will apply wide physiological knowledge and skills to complete various research projects during the laboratory sessions. You are required to select one of these topics and develop a research portfolio addressing key objectives relevant for your chosen topic. The portfolio will consist of a research proposal, research presentation, and research manuscript.

Component 1: Research proposal
This assessment involves developing a written proposal related to your chosen research topic. You are recommended to include Background, Purposes and hypotheses, Study design and research plan, Milestones, and References sections. This assessment is to be completed individually.
General information
Word limit: 1000-2000 words
Program: Microsoft Word is the preferred software program.
Font: Use Arial or Times New Roman, size eleven (11) point.
Layout: Double-spaced throughout with 2.5 cm margins all around. Number the pages consecutively at the bottom right corner.

Component 2: Research presentation
This assessment involves developing and delivering a presentation on your chosen research topic. The presentation is to be completed individually and delivered at one of the scheduled online conferences using Zoom.
General information
Time limit: Up to 10 minutes presenting (followed by 2-3 minutes of questions).
Slide volume: 15-20 slides is recommended; however this might vary with content and styles.
Program: Microsoft PowerPoint is the preferred software program.

Component 3: Research manuscript
This component involves developing a journal-style manuscript on your chosen research topic. You are recommended to include Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Practical Implications, References, and Tables/Figures sections. This assessment is to be completed individually.
General information
Word limit: 1500-2500 words (excludes abstract, tables/figures, references).
Use headings for different sections, but use sub-headings sparingly.
References: you should have at least 15 peer-reviewed references, and should not exceed 30 references overall.
Program: Microsoft Word is the preferred software program.
Font: Use Arial or Times New Roman, size eleven (11) point.
Layout: Double-spaced throughout with 2.5 cm margins all around. Number the pages consecutively at the bottom right corner.
Tables and figures: Do not include more than 3 tables and figures in total combined.

The components of the portfolio will be due on different dates across term. Templates, guidelines, and grading rubrics will be made available for each component on the unit Moodle site. You should consider the information provided during the lecture series along with the equipment and measurement techniques described in the laboratory documents when developing each component.

The proposal will be a written document assessed on the following areas: background of key concepts, review and interpretation of the related literature, development of the rationale for the project, aim(s) and hypotheses, study design and research plan, methods, milestones, and writing (20% of final grade).

The presentation will be assessed on the following areas: introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion, practical implications, and presentation skills (20% of final grade) in the format of a presentation.

The manuscript will be assessed on the following areas: introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion, practical implications, and writing (40% of final grade) in the format of a written journal article.

Each portfolio component will be graded using assessment Rubrics available on the unit Moodle site.

This assessment item is made up of two online quizzes. Each quiz is to be completed on your own using multiple resources (i.e. lectures and tutorials videos with accompanying notes, and readings) to help answer the questions. It is your responsibility to log onto Moodle and complete each quiz during the time the quiz is available. In the absence of an approved extension there will be no late submissions allowed for any of the quizzes that make up this assessment item. You can only attempt each quiz once and it must be completed in a single session. Once you have commenced the quiz, you will have 30 minutes to complete the quiz. You cannot save your answers and return to each quiz at a later time.

Quiz 1 (10% of final grade) will consist of twenty (20) multiple-choice questions that will be drawn randomly from a larger pool of questions. Quiz 1 will assess a wide range of unit material covered in Weeks 2, 3, and 5 (lectures 2-4) inclusive. Online Quiz 1 will open at 9:00 am on Friday 10 August (week 5) and close at 5:00 pm on Friday 31 August (week 7) (AEST).

Quiz 2 (10% of final grade) will consist of twenty (20) multiple-choice questions that will be drawn randomly from a larger pool of questions. Quiz 2 will assess a wide range of unit material covered in Weeks 6,7, and 9 (lectures 5-7) inclusive. Online Quiz 2 will open at 9:00 am on Friday 14 September (week 9) and close at 5:00 pm on Friday 5 October (week 12) (AEST).

Each Online Test will contain 20 questions randomly selected from a bank of questions, worth 1 mark each. Correct answers in each quiz will be tabulated in Moodle and your mark (out of 20) for each Online Test will be converted to a final result and contribute to your overall grade in this unit.

You are required to attend and participate in all laboratory sessions either during one (1) of the two (2) laboratory session blocks/residentials schools held in Rockhampton OR the laboratory session block held in Mackay. Attendance at all laboratory sessions in your chosen block is compulsory to pass this unit.

If you miss a laboratory session, there will NOT be an opportunity to simply catch up at any time. The Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework) outlines acceptable reasons for adjusting assessment (Section 5.16-5.19). This section of the policy is relevant in cases where a student fails to attend a required practical session/residential school in this unit. If a student does not attend the laboratory sessions at a designated block, and provides a valid reason with supporting documentation (see Section 5.26-5.29 of the policy), then an attempt to make alternative arrangements will be made (e.g. catch up session at a suitable time or an alternative assessment/task) in consultation with the Unit Coordinator.

Attendance and participation at all laboratory sessions is required to pass this assessment.