CQUniversity Unit Profile
MEDS21006 Medical Science Research Project 2
Medical Science Research Project 2
All details in this unit profile for MEDS21006 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 purpose of the Medical Science Research Project 2 unit is to provide you with further training in research as you continue projects begun in Medical Science Research Project 1. This unit requires you to independently report on the investigation of the research question proposed. The final journal paper will typically contain the data analyses, results, and discussion in addition to a cogent literature review and hypotheses. It is anticipated that some journal papers may be suitable for eventual publication in an appropriate journal with the academic involved named as co-author. In all stages of the project you must adhere to appropriate ethical and professional standards.

Details

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

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite - MEDS21003 Medical Science Research Project 1

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 - 2018

Distance

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 Postgraduate 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. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 70%

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 Tutor reflection

Feedback

Student attendance at zoom tutorials.

Recommendation

Very few students attended the zoom tutorials. Students will be encouraged to attend the tutorials. Zoom tutorials will be increased to a weekly one-hour online discussion. The recorded zoom tutorials will be available for later viewing. More lectures will be added explaining the requirements of the unit and elaborating on the research protocols and academic writing. Weekly lectures taking up smaller tasks and then building up to the larger paper writing task will be utilized. The tutorials will then discuss smaller tasks so that the students can progress through the unit in an incremental way to achieve the final goal. More support will be given to discuss the writing skills and use of research appropriate language.

Feedback from Student feedback on Moodle site

Feedback

Moodle site hard to navigate on portable devices.

Recommendation

The Moodle site was not mobile friendly. Graphics will be reduced and most important information will be put at the head of the site. The Moodle site will be made simpler to navigate.

Feedback from Student feedback on Moodle site

Feedback

This unit is not directly related to training to become a sonographer, which is one of the causes of lack of interest.

Recommendation

Introductory lectures will be prepared to stress the need for doing research and how research is beneficial for the progression of the profession. Motivational lectures by previous unit coordinators, discipline-specific leaders, and senior professional sonographers will be added at the onset so that the students can appreciate the usefulness of research.

Feedback from Student feedback

Feedback

Assessment feedback was delayed and not adequate

Recommendation

More staff will be engaged in marking/feedback so that the ratio will be down to 1:15, reducing the return time and enabling more detailed feedback to be given. The assessment tasks will be reviewed and more detailed instructions will be given. The submission types will be broadened to include educational papers, narrative review, a systematic review and original research papers. This will give more choices to the students and they can produce the manuscript that will suit their abilities better.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Collect and use data ethically.
  2. Critically analyse and interpret research data.
  3. Interpret research data and discuss findings professionally.
  4. Prepare and present a journal paper within the required style and format of an appropriate journal in the field of course enrolment.

The purpose of Medical Science Research Project's 1 & 2 is to provide the student with training in developing, conducting, and communicating research across theoretical and applied domains. This requires students to undertake an investigation of a research question in an area of medical science aligned with their course of enrolment and to report the investigation in written scholarly form. The research question to be investigated may have either theoretical or applied significance but will add to the body of discipline-specific knowledge and meet the performance criteria for the engaged research element of the appropriate professional competency standards.

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
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 70%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - 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
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 70%
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)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Andrew Vitiello Unit Coordinator
a.vitiello@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 05 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

Familiarise yourself with assessment task in Moodle and think about a topic choice

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - date and time to be timetabled
Week 2 Begin Date: 12 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

Start literature review to determine if the topic of the paper is suitable.

Contact unit coordinator with the topic choice to confirm you are on the right track.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - date and time to be timetabled

Contact unit coordinator by 5 pm on Friday of week 2 about your topic.

Week 3 Begin Date: 19 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

Literature search to determine if there is enough literature to allow progress on your topic, considering the feedback.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - date and time to be timetabled

Week 4 Begin Date: 26 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

Refine your research topic from feedback.

Review Medical statistics.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - date and time to be timetabled

Week 5 Begin Date: 02 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Start outlining the structure of your paper and working on this whilst still collecting literature.

Review Medical statistics.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - date and time to be timetabled

Vacation Week Begin Date: 09 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Enjoy the brief vacation week.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - date and time to be timetabled

Assessment 1 is due the Friday of Vacation Week by 5 pm.


Assessment 1- Annotated bibliography and draft paper Due: Vacation Week Friday (13 Apr 2018) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 6 Begin Date: 16 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Make progress on paper. You should have written the detailed outline of the paper by now

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - date and time to be timetabled

Week 7 Begin Date: 23 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

You should have the first draft of your paper outlined by now and can start the write-up - whilst still searching for literature. You may need to develop tables/images.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - date and time to be timetabled

Week 8 Begin Date: 30 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Contact unit co-ordinator again to ensure you are progressing well.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - date and time to be timetabled

Week 9 Begin Date: 07 May 2018

Module/Topic

You have almost 2 weeks until submission - you need to consider writing your first draft to allow time for editing.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - date and time to be timetabled

Week 10 Begin Date: 14 May 2018

Module/Topic

Finish writing paper.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - date and time to be timetabled

Week 11 Begin Date: 21 May 2018

Module/Topic

Feedback and correction/editing of the paper.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - date and time to be timetabled

Week 12 Begin Date: 28 May 2018

Module/Topic

Feedback and correction/editing of the paper.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial - date and time to be timetabled

Assessment 2 is due the Friday of Week 12 by 5 pm.


Assessment 2- Final Paper Due: Week 12 Friday (1 June 2018) 5:00 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 04 Jun 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 11 Jun 2018

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

If you wish to continue with your research and submit the paper to a journal, contact the unit coordinator with the final version of your paper.

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assessment 1- Annotated bibliography and draft paper

Task Description

The two written assessments are intended to provide you with an opportunity to write a research paper written at a level to allow it to be published in a scientific journal. If you have undertaken data collection as part of the MEDS21003 then you can continue to develop that line of research and write a paper on that topic. If you have not undertaken any data collection before now you can write a structured narrative literature review paper on a new or modified topic. The topic of the paper should be suitable for your discipline.

In this assessment item, you will be required to submit an annotated bibliography and a rough draft of your proposed paper with a word limit of 2000 +/- 10% (1800 - 2200 words).

  • The assessment submission should have a title, at least 4 keywords, at least 10 references, a brief critique of the references (annotated bibliography), a valid clinical question and a rough draft of the outline of the paper.

Communication with the unit coordinator is required throughout the term to ensure you are progressing in the right direction.

Further detailed information on how to complete the assessment task is provided to you throughout this unit and on Moodle and discussed throughout the term by Zoom tutorials/Q & A sessions.


Assessment Due Date

Vacation Week Friday (13 Apr 2018) 5:00 pm AEST

Submission via Moodle site


Return Date to Students

Week 7 Friday (27 Apr 2018)

Feedback will be provided on, or attached to, the assessment.


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Assessment criteria for research project MEDS21006

Title:

  • Does the title reflect the theme of the paper?
  • Choice of title.
  • Spellings and grammar.
  • Appropriateness of language.

Keywords:

  • Minimum of 4 keywords included.
  • Choice of keywords - are they unique.
  • Are the keywords relevant to the paper?
  • Will the searchers find what the keywords describe?
  • Do the keywords describe the paper?

References:

  • References are in APA style.
  • Relevance and reliability.
  • Citation index (quality of references).
  • Impact factor of the reference source journal.
  • How important are references in the research field and the author?

Critique of the references:

  • Demonstrates a wide range of reading which is relevant to the research question
  • Academic rigor.
  • Clear and concise description of paper
  • Relevant information extracted.
  • Concise summarization of important findings, central theme and scope.
  • Evaluate the authority and background of the author.
  • Comment on the intended audience.
  • Contrast and compare this work with another reference used.
  • Concise summaries of the limitations of paper.
  • Description of quality and relevance of the paper.
  • Describe how it is useful for your research.
  • Contextualises the problem – relates literature to problem or issue.
  • Demonstrates an ability to search, assess and manage literature information and demonstrate critical thinking and position research within the conceptual framework of the discipline.
  • Amount and quality of data or information is sufficient, well presented systematically, intelligently interpreted and relevant.

Clinical Question:

  • Validity of research question.
  • Precise and unambiguous.
  • Relevance to literature.
  • Reflects the purpose of the paper
  • Describes the context in which the question arises

Draft of the paper:

  • Describes the motivation for the study
  • Summarises the findings
  • Discusses the importance of the findings
  • Provides a roadmap for readers
  • Demonstrates originality and creativity of topic and contribution to the field
  • Analysis is appropriate, aligns with the question and hypothesis raised, shows sophistication, is iterative and relates to literature
  • Author cogently expresses insights gained from the study and study limitations
  • Critically analyses in an objective and coherent manner

Written style, presentation and communication

  • Synthesises information into a unified and coherent whole – internal consistency and logical flow – there is clear progression from research question through to conclusion
  • Written in a style that is culturally and ethically aware.
  • Written in scholarship style and presentation.
  • Independently written and can foster intellectual debate.
  • Demonstrates creativity and originality
  • Appropriate language, clear, accurate and to maximum effect
  • Outstanding command of grammar and spelling and editing is thorough


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission via Moodle site

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Collect and use data ethically.
  • Critically analyse and interpret research data.
  • Interpret research data and discuss findings professionally.
  • Prepare and present a journal paper within the required style and format of an appropriate journal in the field of course enrolment.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assessment 2- Final Paper

Task Description

The two written assessments are intended to provide you with an opportunity to write a research paper written at a level to allow it to be published in a scientific journal. If you have undertaken data collection as part of the MEDS21003 then you can continue to develop that line of research and write a paper on that topic. If you have not undertaken any data collection before then you can write a structured narrative literature review paper on a new or modified topic. The topic of the paper should be suitable for your discipline. The paper should be 4000 +/- 10% (3600 to 4400) words long with the word count excluding the structured abstract and references. At least 20 journal articles will need to be cited throughout the paper.

In this assessment item, you will be required to submit the completed paper. Feedback will be given after submission and grading, which may be used to further edit the paper for publication.

Communication with the unit coordinator is required throughout the term to ensure you are progressing in the right direction.

Further detailed information on how to complete the assessment task is provided to you throughout this unit and on Moodle and through Zoom tutorials/Q & A sessions.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (1 June 2018) 5:00 pm AEST

Submission via Moodle site


Return Date to Students

Feedback will be provided on, or attached to, the assessment and be available two weeks after the Friday of week 12


Weighting
70%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Assessment criteria for research project MEDS21006

Introduction

  • Includes problem statement
  • Makes clear the research question to be addressed
  • Describes the motivation for the study
  • Describes the context in which the question arises
  • Summarises the findings
  • Discusses the importance of the findings
  • Provides a roadmap for readers
  • Demonstrates originality and creativity of topic and contribution to the field

Body of paper

  • Is comprehensive and up to date
  • Shows a command of the literature
  • Demonstrates a wide range of reading which is relevant to the research question
  • Contextualises the problem – relates literature to problem or issue
  • Includes a discussion of the literature that is selective, synthetic, analytical and thematic
  • Demonstrates ability to search, assess and manage literature information and demonstrate critical thinking and position research within the conceptual framework of the discipline
  • The methodology is well explained, unambiguous, logical and practical.
  • Results are well presented either as narrative or tabulated.
  • Analysis is appropriate, aligns with the question and hypothesis raised, shows sophistication, is iterative and relates to literature
  • Amount and quality of data or information is sufficient, well presented systematically, intelligently interpreted and relevant
  • Author cogently expresses insights gained from the study and study limitations
  • Critically analyses in an objective and coherent manner

Conclusion

  • Draws conclusions from study and relates to major points arising from research
  • Conclusion summarises the findings, provides perspective on them, refers back to the introduction, ties everything together, discusses the study’s strengths and weaknesses, discusses the implication and how the study enhances the knowledge in the profession and makes recommendations for applications for the discipline and discusses future directions for research
  • Critical analysis is insightful and well supported and demonstrates sound critical judgement in all aspects
  • Conclusion has statement of validity – significance is strongly justified

Written style, presentation and communication

  • Synthesises information into a unified and coherent whole – internal consistency and logical flow – there is clear progression from research question through to conclusion
  • Written in a style that is culturally and ethically aware
  • Critically analyses own work in an objective and reflective manner
  • Data and findings are presented astutely, creatively and effectively
  • Uses visual presentation to maximum effect – best presentation approach for purpose and audience
  • Written in scholarship style and presentation
  • Findings are communicated in a style that incorporates specialist and non-specialist audiences and are very clearly articulated but demonstrates critical judgement
  • Independently written and can foster intellectual debate
  • Contributes information that is relevant and of value to the field concerned
  • Demonstrates creativity and originality
  • Appropriate in-text referencing
  • Accurately and complete reference list
  • Appropriate language, clear, accurate and to maximum effect
  • Outstanding command of grammar and spelling and editing is thorough

Contribution to the field

  • Relative to limited time available for research project – meticulous, substantial exploration of limits and strengths
  • Far reaching contribution to current knowledge or contribution to development of current theory, research or practise


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission via Moodle site

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Collect and use data ethically.
  • Critically analyse and interpret research data.
  • Interpret research data and discuss findings professionally.
  • Prepare and present a journal paper within the required style and format of an appropriate journal in the field of course enrolment.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

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?