Unit Outline

Understanding Nursing Research equips students with the skills and knowledge required to complete a rigorous research study. Students will develop a theoretical framework of inquiry through the critique of personal and societal assumptions upon which nursing practice and research is based. They will develop the ability to identify, critique and document the evidence base relevant to the chosen research area, identify researchable issues and questions, and design a research project.

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 problems and questions that are relevant to nursing
2.	Identify and critique the evidence base relevant to your chosen research area
3.	Construct a critical literature review relevant to your chosen research area
4.	Apply foundational methodological skills to conduct a nursing research project

Alterations as a result of student feedback

No alterations have been made 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:	Presentation	Week 12	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Literature Review	Week 13	60 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Presentation

Task Description:

For this assessment task, you will be required to provide an oral presentation related to your research.

The presentation will take place between Week 10 and 12.

Task Length:

15 minutes, plus 10 minutes question/feedback time

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrated understanding of the background to this research project	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Appropriateness and feasibility of the chosen research approach	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Clarity of presentation of an ethical issue, including how it is to be addressed	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Quality of the communication of each of the above to the audience	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Literature Review

Task Description:

For this assessment task, you are required to search, review and critically analyse the research literature relevant to your field of clinical and research interest.

Task Length:

3500 – 4000 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

60 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Clarity of search strategy	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Capacity to critique the literature. Relevance of the coverage and synthesis of literature in the chosen field and/or clinical area	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Demonstrated contribution of the chosen research project to the literature.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Demonstrated ability to group the literature in a logical manner.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
5	Communicate clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style.	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, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

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.