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Course Outline

HLT307 Health Research Project II

Course Coordinator:Melinda Dean (mdean@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Biomedicine

2027Trimester 3

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course provides the opportunity to complete an independent, research project under supervision. In consultation with an academic supervisor, you will co-design and implement a project exploring a specific question, issue or innovation relevant to the health sciences. You will develop advanced skills in critical thinking, ethics, discipline-specific data collection and analysis, academic writing and communication. The course supports application of knowledge in real-world or laboratory-based context and prepares you for future research, professional practice or postgraduate study.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Information session – Course specific orientation session, delivered online in week 1 2hrs Week 1 Once Only
Independent Study/Research – A scholarly plan of directed and non-directed research activities will be developed in consultation with, and under supervision of, your academic supervisor. The distribution of directed hours across the trimester may differ depending on project requirements. 200hrs Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Once Only

Course Topics

This course enables students to pursue scholarly inquiry within the study field of their project supervisor. As such, the specific topics explored will vary according to the focus of each student’s research project. Across all projects, students will engage with core themes that develop their capacity as emerging health researchers and scholars.

Indicative topics may include:

  1. Research design, methodology, project planning and management in health
  2. Ethics and responsible research conduct
  3. Data collection and analysis in health research
  4. Scientific communication and dissemination
  5. Research translation and impact in health
  6. Health professions education

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

24 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Design and justify a health-related research project using appropriate methodologies, ethical frameworks, and critical appraisal of relevant literature Creative and critical thinker
Problem solving
2 Apply discipline-appropriate research skills to collect, manage, and analyse data Knowledgeable
Applying technologies
3 Interpret and evaluate research findings in the context of current evidence and practice within the health sciences. Engaged
Information literacy
4 Communicate scientific information effectively through written, visual, and oral formats Creative and critical thinker
Communication
5 Demonstrate professional research practices in planning, implementing, and communicating a health research project. Empowered

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Completion of at least 96 units of study, with a GPA > 4.5

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Early formative feedback will be provided to the student through development of the planned research in weeks 1-3. Early assessment feedback will be provided in week 4 following completion of Task 1.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Oral Individual 20% 
10 minutes, equivalent 1000 words.
 Week 4 To Supervisor
All 2 Report Individual 50% 
3500-4000 words or equivalent.
 Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Oral Individual 30% 
15-20 minutes.
 Exam Period In Class
All - Assessment Task 1:Develop Research Plan
Goal: 
Demonstrate an understanding of relevant literature, appropriate research methods, includes preparation of a suitable figure or table of results and development of research question/s.
Product: Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Interactive Oral
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Clarity and quality of research question, proposal and justification.
 1 5
2 
Appropriate use of figures and tables
 1 2 4 5
3 
Demonstrates understanding of appropriate research methods.
 1 2 5
4 
Correctly references appropriate research literature.
 3
5 
Clear and succinct oral communication of research proposal.
 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Organisation, Applying technologies
All - Assessment Task 2:Research Report
Goal: 
Presentation of a research report in the style of a relevant, discipline-specific journal article. Use of appropriate reference management software will be required.
Product: Report
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Written Report
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Clear and accurate communication of research methods and analysis.
 1 2
2 
Appropriate scientific literature utilised and referenced correctly.
 2 3 5
3 
Clear presentation of data, analysis of results and their interpretation.
 3 4 5
4 
Adherence to journal formatting guidelines, including correct use of reference management software.
 4 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Research Presentation
Goal: 
Scientific presentation of project, relevant to discipline professional standards.
Product: Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Oral presentation, with submission of PowerPoint slides to Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Presentation includes core scientific elements including background, aims, methods, results and discussion.
 3 4 5
2 
Effective use of visual elements in presentation.
 4 5
3 
Clear delivery, communication and responses to questions demonstrating subject knowledge.
 1 2 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Depending on your project there may be specific requirements, such as inductions, protective clothing and closed shoes for laboratory work. It is your responsibility to acquire and meet specific requirements. Some study locations may require evidence of vaccination.

How are risks managed in this course?

Risk assessments have been performed for all laboratory classes and a moderate level of health and safety risk exists. Moderate risks are those associated with laboratory work such as working with chemicals and hazardous substances. You will be required to undertake laboratory induction training and it is also your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: 

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