Unit Outline

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

Regular monitoring and review have been undetaken:

Thesis guidelines including marking rubric have been revised and developed.

The assessment criteria for successful progression through this unit have been revised.

Content revised and updated.

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 in negotiation and with the approval of your supervisor(s).

Task Length:

3 pages

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	The research plan clearly articulates a specific, researchable problem within the field of nursing.	LO1
2	The plan must detail the chosen research methods and analytical techniques, providing a strong justification for their selection.	LO2
3	The research plan demonstrates foundational skills in designing and planning a research study, including data collection and analysis methods relevant to nursing.	LO3
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 are required to demonstrate satisfactory progress with your research on the basis of documented meetings with your supervisor/s.

Task Length:

Not applicable.

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

0 %

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.

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.