Unit Outline

CSA418 Research Project will equip you with the ability to effectively convey research findings to both professionals and patients. Your research and communication skills will be enhanced by conducting a collaborative group-based project. Working closely with your peers, you will develop a comprehensive search strategy, enabling you to compile and critically appraise literature on an emerging area of pharmacy practice. The insights you gain will guide the creation of a professional development article for pharmacists, along with a patient information leaflet on the selected topic.

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	Synthesise evidence-based resources for health professionals and patients.
2	Collaborate with peers in a team-based research activity.
3	Communicate research findings to professional and public audiences.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Co-requisite	CSA417 Pharmacy Practice 4

Alterations as a result of student feedback

This is a new unit for 2025. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2025, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s Unit Survey following your completion of the unit.

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	Week 5	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Patient-information leaflet	Week 12	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Professional development article	Week 12	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Research plan

Task Description:

In groups, you will develop a comprehensive plan to gather and critically analyse research related to your chosen topic.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Design a plan to collate and critically evaluate relevant research.	LO1
2	Work constructively as part of a team (peer assessed).	LO2
3	Communicate effectively for a scientific audience using appropriate academic writing, Vancouver referencing conventions, professional/biomedical language and terminologies.	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Patient-information leaflet

Task Description:

In groups, you will create a patient-information leaflet for a public audience based on the information presented in Assessment Task 3.

Task Length:

500 words

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically integrate relevant scientific literature to, summarise the benefits and risks of various management strategies.	LO1
2	Work constructively as part of a team (peer assessed).	LO2
3	Communicate clearly for a patient audience, using accessible language, a logical structure and appropriate health terminologies.	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Professional development article

Task Description:

In groups, you will synthesise a professional development article for pharmacists by executing the research methodology developed in Assessment Task 1. The article should be supported by five multiple-choice questions that assess the readers’ comprehension of the presented information.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically integrate relevant scientific literature.	LO1
2	Communicate effectively for a health professional audience, using professional language, a logical structure, and appropriate health/biomedical terminologies.	LO3
3	Work constructively as part of a team (peer assessed).	LO2

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.