This first assessment requires you to submit a draft research proposal (length 1000 words) which you will use to inform and complete assessment task 2. The main aims of assessment 1 are for you to learn how to search and review the literature, select a research topic, start writing about your research topic and refine a research aim/question that is answerable. You will then develop a methodology to answer your aim/research question/s, and start thinking about the risk level of your research project. This assessment will provide you with the opportunity for feedback to refine and complete assessment task 2, the CQU Course Work Ethics Application. A research proposal is a detailed written outline of planned research that allows you, the researcher, to clarify and organise your thoughts on your research topic. It includes a title and key words, a brief literature review (as compared to a detailed literature review which would be required for a research paper or thesis) that synthesises and critiques the literature, allowing you to identify a gap in knowledge that you wish to research. This is followed by the study aims (research question/s) plus or minus a hypothesis and a project plan which includes the study design, research methodology, selection criteria, data collection information, sample size calculation, proposed statistical analysis and ethical considerations that will allow you to answer your research aim.

The content of the draft proposal is 1000 words ±10%. This word count excludes references, the Ethics Checklist and the full text articles. The full text articles will be uploaded separately as PDF files.

The content of the proposal will include:

1. Proposed title.
2. Keywords (minimum 4).
3. Literature review. Introduce and outline the area of research you wish to study by synthesising existing up to date and relevant literature. A synthesis of the literature involves you bringing together different and possibly apposing views, ideas and information about a particular topic and then providing an original interpretation and critique of that topic. A synthesis is NOT a summary of each article you review. This synthesis will allow you to establish the need for further research and describe any existing gaps in knowledge. The synthesis of the literature will help inform your research question and methodology. You will also use the literature review to explain any discipline specific terms and ideas.
4. Research aim/question using the Participant (or Population or Problem), Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) formula.
5. The study design and research plan (methodology) that will allow you to answer your research question.
6. Completion of the Ethics Checklist (which can be found on the unit Moodle site), inserted into your assessment 1 word document in word format.
7. A risk statement (two to three sentences) about whether the proposal is low or high risk and why. Hint: use the Ethics Checklist to help you decide the level of risk.
8. A reference list of at least five (5) references using Vancouver referencing style.
9. Three (3) of the most relevant full text articles uploaded separately onto Moodle.

Further detailed information on how to complete the task is provided to you under the assessment tab in Moodle.

The criteria to receive a Pass are as follows:

• The title should be clear and concise, reflect the topic, and engage the reader.
• Keywords should correctly and adequately reflect the topic.
• The literature review is an original synthesis with correct interpretation of the chosen topic. A gap in knowledge is correctly identified. Discipline specific terms are described.
• The research aim/question clearly and correctly identifies a Participant (or Population or Problem), an Intervention, plus or minus a Comparison and a proposed Outcome using the PICO formula. The aim is Feasible (answerable), Interesting, Novel, Ethical and Relevant (FINER criteria), describes the purpose or motivation of the work and relates to the literature review, title and keywords.
• The study design and methodology can answer the aim, are operational in nature, and clearly and correctly explained.
• Risk level statement is correct and correlates with the project risk.
• Ethics Checklist is completed fully and correctly and checklist is embedded in the assessment 1 word document.
• Three full-text relevant and up-to-date articles are submitted as PDF files, and are uploaded in addition to the word document submission.
• Referenced in Vancouver style with in-text references and reference list relevant, correct, complete and accurate.
• Sustained academic voice written in a scholarly style with appropriate plain English research language used. Written style is culturally and ethically aware.
• Correct spelling and grammar.
• Within the word limit to demonstrate concise clear scientific communication.

A marking rubric is available to students on the unit Moodle site.

In assessment 2 you will complete the CQU Coursework Ethics Application Form which is posted on the Moodle site. This is an authentic form of assessment as you will be able to submit your research proposal to the CQU Office of Research for ethics approval if you wish to undertake and complete the research project. Your project should be developed, designed and communicated at a level where there is potential for an academic publication to be produced.

The length of your research proposal will be 1800 words ± 10% (some of these sections involve ticking a “Yes/No” box). The word count excludes the researchers' information, layperson description of 250 words, reference list, Participant Information Sheet (PIS) and Consent Form, and any other necessary relevant attachments (for example online survey, interview questions, external approval documents). Assessment 2 scaffolds on assessment 1 and will demonstrate correct and clear progression of work through all components of the ethics application.

The content of the proposal will include:

1. Project title and at least four (4) key words
2. Researcher information and data collection dates
3. Lay person description (250 words)
4. Background and literature review, research aim/s and significance of project
5. Data collection methods
6. Study design and research plan (methodology)
7. Justification of research design by advising how the data will be analysed (proposed statistical analysis) and by providing a proposed sample size and details of statistical power of the sample size
8. Risks (ethical considerations)
9. Location of research
10. Funding and finance
11. Recruitment of participants
12. Consent
13. Information protection
14. Dissemination of results
15. References (Vancouver style)
16. Appendices (PIS and Consent Form-compulsory), any other relevant attachments if applicable (for example online survey, interview questions, external approval forms).

Further detailed information on how to complete this task is provided to you throughout this unit and under the assessment tab in the unit Moodle site.

Please note:

• The CQU Coursework Ethics Application Form is used for low risk ethics applications.
• After completion of this assessment task, post submission for this unit, the Ethics Application may or may not be submitted to the CQU ethics committee.
• Submission to the ethics committee is dependent on whether you will be doing the research project or not. If you wish to complete your research project for MEDS21006 you will need to submit your ethics application to the ethics committee for approval prior to doing the data collection for your research.
• If your research proposal is considered high risk and you wish to perform the research, before you undertake your research you will need to complete a Human Research Ethics Application (HREA) https://hrea.gov.au/ which then goes before a full Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).

The criteria to receive a pass are as follows:

• The title should be clear and concise, reflect the topic and engage the reader.
• Keywords should correctly and adequately reflect the topic.
• Lay person description clearly and correctly states the aim and explains the research project, is brief (maximum 250 words) and avoids technical jargon.
• Concise relevant literature review which correctly synthesises the literature and provides the background to the research and methodology. Review uses relevant up-to-date literature from peer reviewed journals which are correctly cited as evidence. States a clear, concise and related research aim/s which uses the PICO formula correctly and appropriately. Significance of project clearly, correctly and concisely stated. Discipline specific terms are described.
• Study design and research plan (methodology) are clearly and correctly stated, correctly align with and can answer the aim.
• Justification of research design clearly and correctly stated and align with the research and aim.
• Ethical considerations including risks of proposed research such as harm, discomfort and inconvenience, recruitment of participants, consent, information protection and dissemination of results are addressed correctly and appropriately.
• All sections of the Coursework Ethics Application are answered correctly and appropriately and each section addresses the relevance to the overarching aim/research question.
• Participant Information Sheet and Consent Form are written at an appropriate level for participants, align with the aim of the project and are included with the assessment submission. Other relevant documentation are included.
• Referenced in Vancouver style with in-text references and reference list relevant, correct, complete and accurate.
• Sustained academic voice written in a scholarly style with appropriate plain English research language used. Written style is culturally and ethically aware.
• Correct spelling and grammar.
• Within the word limit to demonstrate concise clear scientific communication.
• Demonstrates clear progression and further refinement of work through all components of the ethics application, demonstrating progression of work from assessment 1 to assessment 2.

A marking rubric is available to students on the unit Moodle site.