Unit Outline

This is the third 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. During this unit students will complete their research project and their dissertation will be submitted for examination.

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.	Complete a dissertation which will have a maximum length of 16000 words. The dissertation will report the process and findings of the 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:	Dissertation	Week 13	100 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Dissertation

Task Description:

For this assessment task, you will conclude your research project and finalise the writing up of your dissertation.

Task Length:

maximum of 16,000 words in length for a traditional thesis and up to 16,000 words for a thesis incorporating a paper for publication

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

100 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Synthesis of the literature	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Clarity of the methodology and methods	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Analysis of findings	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Demonstration of links to practice	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.