Unit Outline

This unit is the fourth and the final one of the Research Thesis unit series concerning the development, planning and conduction of a research project in the area of clinical pharmacy, pharmacy practice or clinical pharmacology. This unit involves preparation and submission of the final thesis. Students must undertake all units (Research Thesis 1, 2,3 and 4) to complete their research thesis in the Master of Clinical Pharmacy. A final result for the research project will be issued in this unit.

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.	Effective communication of the literature, research methods, and results in a written form to a scientific audience.
2.	Organise presentation of information using self-determined logical structures.
3.	Present information in academic English using scientific conventions and Vancouver referencing.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	CSA721
Concurrent Pre-requisite	CSA712, CSA713, CSA714
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	CSA729, CSA730

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Alteration to unit weighting towards overall mark across 4 units from Learning and Teaching committee 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:	Thesis	Week 12	100 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Thesis

Task Description:

Masters research thesis- You are required to write the final Master’s thesis on your research project.
Your thesis is made of two chapters. Chapter 1 is a background and research proposal; Chapter 2 is a publication manuscript (maximum 12,000 words).
Chapter 1: Background and research proposal (5,000-7,000 words excluding references): this section is based on your assignments of CSA712 and CSA713. You need to provide a concise background to justify research question and aims, followed by your research proposal.
Chapter 2: A research manuscript (3,000 – 5,000 words excluding references, figures, tables): a manuscript should be drafted as per “Instructions to Authors” guidelines of your chosen journal. It is your responsibility to consult with your supervisor and decide a peer-reviewed journal appropriate to your research
work.
Your manuscript for CSA715 should meet the journal requirements regarding word counts, heading names and maximum numbers of figures and pictures and references.

The thesis should be written in academic English, word-processed and formatted in double-spaced, 12-point text with 2 cm margins. Pages should be numbered consecutively. The document should be free of spelling and grammatical errors.

Vancouver-based referencing style is required in this unit. For detailed requirements for referencing, please read the Recommendations of the ‘International Committee of Medical Journals Editors’ (www.icmje.org) and refer the British Medical Journal as an example.

Task Length:

8,000 to 12,000 words (Excluding references, figures, tables)

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

100 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	The extent to which the thesis reflects the ability of critical and creative thinking, the independence of the author, and the significance of the work.	LO1
2	The extent to which the sections (introduction, materials and method, results, discussion, references) are presented logically, scientifically in academic style and format.	LO2
3	The extent to which the review is presented in an academic style of scientific review, with citations and referencing in accordance with the Vancouver style.	LO3

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.