Unit Outline

This unit focuses on the key elements of experimental design, data analysis and communication in the context of medical research. In this unit, students will learn about design, data considerations and statistical analysis from different research disciplines including epidemiology, clinical research, and basic laboratory research. In the practical sessions, students will develop and apply their skills as they are guided through the design, planning, data collection, statistical analysis, interpretation and write-up of a group physiological project. In addition, students gain familiarity with the structure and understanding of primary scientific literature, and will develop their oral, written and computer skills in preparing their experimental write-up and an associated research presentation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Discuss and evaluate approaches to data analysis and experimental design in medical research.
2.	Plan and conduct a group research project including the collection, analysis, and interpretation of physiological data.
3.	Work in collaboration with other group members to communicate aims, rationale, methodology, results, and conclusions of a research project both verbally and in writing.
4.	Work independently to communicate scientific information to explain research aims, rationale, methodology, results, and conclusions of a research project both verbally and in writing.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	(CAM103 or CZZ103) and CHP207

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Group Research Proposal	Week 3	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Test	Week 5	30 %	LO1
Assessment Task 3:	Group Research Presentation	Week 12	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Peer evaluation of group work	Week 13	5 %	LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 5:	Individual Research Report	Week 13	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Group Research Proposal

Task Description:

This assessment task involves completing a Group Research Proposal (which includes a basic Risk Assessment) for a project. Each group will need to complete a project proposal, including background information, aims and methodology. One proposal will be submitted per group and all members of the group will receive the same mark for this assessment item.

The proposal and risk assessment will be assessed, and feedback will be provided. This project proposal will then form the basis of the Group Project which contributes to Assessment Tasks 3, 4 and 5.

Note: your individual contribution to this task will be assessed by your peers in Assessment Task 4.
Further details and assessment criteria will be available on MyLO

Task Length:

Template will be provided on MyLO

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe and apply physiological principles to predict change in an experimental setting	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Communicate information for a scientific audience	LO3, LO4
3	Planning and design of experimental protocol and procedures	LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Test

Task Description:

This assessment task involves a total of two tests (closed book) that will be undertaken at the completion of each content module. Questions will be drawn from module content (including online material and face-to-face sessions) and may include MCQs, EMQs and SAQs. Further details will be provided in class and on MyLO

Tests will be in Week 5 and Week 10

Task Length:

60min (per test) – Two tests per semester

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Correct answers to questions	LO1

Assessment Task 3: Group Research Presentation

Task Description:

Each group will deliver an oral presentation outlining the rationale, methods, results, analysis, and conclusions from the major research project.

Each student in the group will need to contribute to the preparation and delivery of a 15 minute presentation, which will include 5 minutes of question time. The mark awarded to each student will be determined by:

1) the overall quality and content of the group presentation (5%; all students receive the same mark for this component), and
2) a student’s individual communication skills (5%).

Further guidelines will be provided on MyLO.

Note: your individual contribution to this task will be assessed by your peers in Assessment Task 4.

Task Length:

20min oral presentation (15min+5min questions)

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Group and individual communication of scientific information in the form of an oral presentation (with supporting visual aids)	LO3, LO4
2	Background, description and justification of study design	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Interpretation and analysis of data	LO1, LO3

Assessment Task 4: Peer evaluation of group work

Task Description:

This assessment is an individual mark, based on your peer’s assessment of your contribution to the group research project. Contributions will be evaluated independently by your group members. The evaluation will consider contributions to generation of ideas, data collection/collation, data analysis, organisation and logistics, preparation, and delivery of the group presentation.

Task Length:

Guidelines will be provided on MyLO (<200 words)

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

5 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Peer evaluation of individual students contribution to planning, conducting and executing the group research project, and communicating the project through a group presentation.	LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 5: Individual Research Report

Task Description:

Students will write a scientific report based on their group research project. The report should include the introduction, rationale, methods, results, analysis, and conclusions from their major research project. The report should conform to scientific writing conventions.

While the report is based on the group project, this is an independent piece of assessment, and each student is required to write and submit their own report.

Further guidelines will be provided on MyLO.

Task Length:

3000 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

40 %

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes and achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.