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Course Outline

NUR731 Research Project

Course Coordinator:Nicholas Ralph (nralph@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Nursing

2026Trimester 1

Online

 Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

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

In this course you will have the opportunity to investigate a significant practice issue through undertaking a research project. This may involve primary research or a systematic review. You will work with an academic supervisor and design and execute your research project. You will report a synthesis of the findings in the form of a 15,000 to 20,000 word dissertation or a journal article for publication together with an explanatory summary.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Online
Learning materials – Independent study with learning materials guided by supervisors to meet the requirements of the students learning needs as they pertain to the research project 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online tutorial (synchronous and in person) that is a regular meting with supervisors. 2hrs Week 1 12 times

Course Topics

  • Critically evaluate literature in a chosen field/area and to identify gaps.
  • Define research questions in the context of theoretical framework/models.
  • Select relevant research methods – sampling/selection of participants, methods of data collection, data analysis, and limitations.
  • Identify and manage ethical considerations.
  • Undertake data collection and analysis.
  • Synthesis findings in a research report either as a dissertation or as a journal article.

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

48 units (taught over 4 delivery periods)

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 Critically evaluate literature in a chosen field/area and to identify gaps. Creative and critical thinker
Sustainability-focussed
2 Define research questions in the context of theoretical framework/models. Knowledgeable
3 Select relevant research methods - sampling/selection of participants, methods of data collection, data analysis, and limitations. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
4 Identify and manage ethical considerations. Ethical
5 Undertake data collection and analysis. Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
6 Synthesise findings in a research report either as a dissertation or as a journal article. 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

Must be enrolled in Program SC742 or SC420 or SC423

Co-requisites

NUR721

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Prior education and training in research approaches, methods and procedures

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

The research project involves a constant exchange of ideas and progress planning with your supervisor over the life of the project. The course coordinator will provide the opportunity to touch base through timetabled workshops, to discuss any overarching progress concerns or questions

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 Thesis Individual 100% 
15,000 - 20,000 word dissertation or a journal article and explanatory summary
 Delivery Period 4 - Refer to Format Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Research Report
Goal: 
To produce a final report of your research project
Product: Thesis
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Last week of last trimester of study when enrolled in NUR731F.
You will negotiate with your supervisor and course coordinator regarding all aspects of the research project and the form of the report, that is, as a dissertation or manuscript for publication. 

Written dissertation with headings of 15,000 to 20,000 words in length plus appendices and references. OR 

Manuscript for journal article submission with a summary or exegesis of up to 5,000 words.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
critically evaluate the literature in a chosen field/area to identify research need and justify the proposed research
 1 2
2 
justify the research questions in the context of a theoretical framework/model;
 1 2 3
3 
identify and apply a relevant research approach;
 1 2 3 4
4 
apply relevant research methods and procedures - sampling/selection of participants, data collection, data analysis, and limitations;
 3 4 5
5 
address ethical considerations;
 1 2 3 4
6 
Synthesise findings and report in selected format.
 1 4 5 6
Generic Skills: 

                        

                    

                

        

    

    

        

            

                
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

                    
Not applicable

            

        

    


    

        

            
How are risks managed in this course?

            
Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is 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
Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

            

        


        

            

                
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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