Unit Outline

This unit focuses on the key elements of experimental design, data analysis and communication in the context of medical research. In this unit, you will learn about design, data considerations and statistical analysis from different research disciplines including epidemiology, clinical research, and basic laboratory research. In the practical sessions, you will develop and apply your skills as they are developed through the design, planning, data collection, statistical analysis, interpretation and write-up of a group physiological project. In addition, you will gain familiarity with the structure and understanding of primary scientific literature, and will develop your oral, written and computer skills in preparing for your experimental write-up and associated research presentation.

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	Evaluate approaches to experimental design and data analysis in medical research.
2	Design and conduct a group medical research project.
3	Collaborate in the communication of research both verbally and in writing.
4	Independently communicate scientific information related to a research project both verbally and in writing.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	(CAM103 or CZZ103) and (CHP207 or CXA237)

Alterations 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:	Group Research Proposal	Week 3	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Test	Week 5	30 %	LO1, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Group Research Presentation	Week 12	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Individual Research Report	Week 13	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Group Research Proposal

Task Description:

This assessment task involves completing a Group Research Proposal (which includes a basic Risk Assessment) for a project. Each group member will need to complete an individual project proposal, including background information, aims and methodology. The proposal and risk assessment will be assessed, and feedback will be provided. This project proposal will then form the basis of the Group Project that contributes to Assessment Tasks 3 and 4.

Further details and assessment criteria will be available on MyLO.

Task Length:

Template will be provided on MyLO

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evaluates potential risks related to the research proposal	LO1
2	Designs experimental protocol(s) and procedure(s) as part of a research group	LO2, LO3
3	Individually communicates a research proposal to a scientific audience	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Test

Task Description:

This assessment task involves a total of two tests (closed book) that will be undertaken at the completion of each content module. Questions will be drawn from module content (including online material and face-to-face sessions) and may include MCQs, EMQs and SAQs. Further details will be provided in class and on MyLO

Tests will be in Week 5 and Week 9

Task Length:

60min (per test) – Two tests per semester

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evaluates approaches to experimental design in medical research	LO1
2	Communicates medical research concepts, reasonings and conclusions to a scientific audience	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Group Research Presentation

Task Description:

Each group will deliver an oral presentation (using appropriate supporting visual aids) that outlines the rationale, methods, results, analysis, and conclusions from the major research project.

Each member of the group will need to contribute to the preparation and delivery of a 15 minute presentation plus, 5 minutes of question time. The mark awarded to each student will be determined by:

1) the overall quality and content of the group presentation (10%; all students receive the same mark for this component), and
2) a student’s individual communication skills (5%).

Further guidelines will be provided on MyLO.

Task Length:

20min oral presentation (15min+5min question time)

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evaluates study design as part of a group presentation	LO1, LO2
2	Analyses scientific data in a group presentation	LO2
3	Communicates research findings, reasonings and conclusions to a scientific audience	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Individual Research Report

Task Description:

This assessment task will require you to write a scientific report based on your group research project. The report should include the introduction, rationale, methods, results, analysis, and conclusions from their major research project. The report should conform to scientific writing conventions.

While the report is based on the group project, this is an independent piece of assessment, and you are required to write and submit your own report.

Further guidelines will be provided on MyLO.

Task Length:

3000 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evaluates study design and related research outcomes as part of an individual report	LO1
2	Analyses scientific data in an individual report	LO1, LO2
3	Individually communicates research concepts, findings, reasonings and conclusions to a scientific audience	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 achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.