Unit Outline
CNA418
Dissertation Part 1
Semester 1, 2024
Shandell Elmer
School of Nursing
College of Health and Medicine
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Shandell Elmer
Email: Shandell.Elmer@utas.edu.au
 

What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This is the first of three linked dissertation units. Students conduct research into a field of nursing practice which is informed and supported by a series of collaborative seminars and workshops that provide the student with a forum in which to critique and develop their own research and that of others. The seminars focus on the application of research knowledge and skills to the research being conducted. In this unit students will develop the research project that will be reported in the thesis submitted for examination in CNA474: Dissertation Part 3.
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.
Identify researchable problem/s and question/s that are relevant to nursing
2.
Justify the proposed methodological and analytical research decisions through identification and critique of the evidence base relevant to the chosen research area
3.
Apply foundational methodological skills to conduct a research study in an area of interest relevant to nursing
4.
Make progress writing a dissertation which will have a length of 16 000 words. The dissertation will report the process and findings of the research project
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Concurrent Pre-requisite
CNA450 Understanding Nursing Research
Alterations as a result of student feedback
No alterations have been made as a result of student feedback.
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
Online
Individual Study
Individual self-directed learning - 10 hours per week.
10
StudyPeriod 13 times
Online Class
Online webinar - 3 x 1 hour
1
Study Period 3 times
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
 
 
 

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:
Research Plan and Timeline
Week 13
0 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:
Research Progress
Week 13
0 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
    
Assessment Task 1: Research Plan and Timeline
Task Description:
For this assessment task you are required to complete the development of your research plan and timeline.

Task Length:
3 pages
Due Date:
Week 13
Weight:
0 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
The plan should be negotiated and approved by your supervisor(s)
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2
The research timeline should demonstrate the research is achievable within the honours degree time frame
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3
The plan should draw on the literature review
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4
Communicate clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style.
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment Task 2: Research Progress
Task Description:
For this assessment task you will need to demonstrate satisfactory progress in this first dissertation unit on the basis of documented meetings with your supervisor and completion of tasks identified in the Research Plan and Timeline submitted to fulfil the requirements for Assessment Task 1.

Task Length:
Not applicable.
Due Date:
Week 13
Weight:
0 %
 
 

CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Satisfactory progress with research
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
 
 

How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, and make satisfactory progress with research assessed by the supervisory team.
 
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.
 
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.
 
 
 

Required Resources
Required reading materials
Required Readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator.
 
Recommended reading materials
Recommended Readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator via the Reading List link in MyLO, or the unit Reading List on the University Library website.
 
Other required resources