Students

ECED754 – Minor Independent Investigation

2017 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Senior Lecturer
Shirley Wyver
Contact via Through iLearn if enrolled, otherwise by email
X5B 232
Appointments required for consultation.
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
ECED754
Unit description Unit description
Students will be introduced to the process of writing a systematic review and other methods of systematic research synthesis. Established procedures such as those identified by the EPPI-Centre and the Cochrane Collaboration will be used to demonstrate how to conduct high quality reviews of studies using quantitative and/or qualitative methods. Students will select an area of early childhood research that is of interest and write a systematic review.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Understand the importance of systematic reviews as part of the research evidence base
  • Understand the different protocols for conducting systematic reviews
  • Learn how to conduct a systematic review
  • Challenge your thinking through use of a systematic review
  • Understand how systematic reviews identify the gaps in existing bodies of research

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Question 10% No 15 March
Methods 40% No 20 April
Systematic Review 50% No 6 June

Question

Due: 15 March
Weighting: 10%

Students may submit an early version on 8 March for feedback.   The first assignment is designed to ensure you develop an appropriate question for your systematic review.  It requires 500-1,000 words.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the importance of systematic reviews as part of the research evidence base
  • Challenge your thinking through use of a systematic review

Methods

Due: 20 April
Weighting: 40%

This assessment is a 3,000 word (approx) overview of the methods to be used in your systematic review.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the importance of systematic reviews as part of the research evidence base
  • Understand the different protocols for conducting systematic reviews
  • Challenge your thinking through use of a systematic review

Systematic Review

Due: 6 June
Weighting: 50%

Your final assignment is a 5,000 word systematic review.  The conclusion of your review should make clear current gaps in research and at least one direction for future research. Content from your previous assignments will form part of this review, so you should not be concerned about the length of this assignment.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Learn how to conduct a systematic review
  • Understand how systematic reviews identify the gaps in existing bodies of research

Delivery and Resources

The majority of this unit is delivered online.  Classes are available at a voluntary on-campus session.

Unit Schedule

An optional on-campus session will be held on 11 March.  This session is an opportunity to work on developing your question and deciding what protocol to use.  We will also look at databases and other areas of difficulty students may be having.  The main purpose of the on-campus is to ensure students understand expectations and are on the right track.

It is possible to complete the unit without attending the on-campus.  Online support is available. It is strongly recommended that students not attending the on-campus take advantage of the opportunity to submit their topic early for feedback.

It is important to start early and get a good grasp of this unit.  Although most of the work can be done at your own pace, this isn't work that can be done in a rush.  The systematic review requires a methodical, step-by-step approach.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Assignment extensions and late penalties

 

Applications for extensions must be made via AskMQ at https://ask.mq.edu.au as a "Disruption to Studies" request before the submission date. Students who experience a disruption to their studies through ill-health or misadventure are able to apply for this request. Extensions can only be granted if they meet the Disruption to Studies policy and are submitted via ask.mq.edu.au. This will ensure consistency in the consideration of such requests is maintained.

 

In general, there should be no need for extensions except through illness or misadventure that would be categorised as unavoidable disruption according to the University definition of same, and currently available at:

 

http://students.mq.edu.au/student_admin/exams/disruption_to_studies/

Late submissions without extension will receive a penalty of 5% reduction of the total possible mark for each day late (including weekends and public holidays). You are reminded that submitting even just 1 day late could be the difference between passing and failing a unit. Late penalties are applied by unit convenors or their delegates after tasks are assessed.

 

No assessable work will be accepted after the return/release of marked work on the same topic. If a student is still permitted to submit on the basis of unavoidable disruption, an alternative topic may be set. 

 

Students should keep an electronic file of all assessments. Claims regarding "lost" assessments cannot be made if the file cannot be produced. It is also advisable to keep an electronic file of all drafts and the final submission on a USB untouched/unopened after submission. This can be used to demonstrate easily that the assessment has not been amended after the submission date.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the importance of systematic reviews as part of the research evidence base
  • Understand the different protocols for conducting systematic reviews
  • Learn how to conduct a systematic review

Assessment task

  • Systematic Review

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the importance of systematic reviews as part of the research evidence base
  • Challenge your thinking through use of a systematic review
  • Understand how systematic reviews identify the gaps in existing bodies of research

Assessment task

  • Systematic Review

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the different protocols for conducting systematic reviews
  • Learn how to conduct a systematic review
  • Challenge your thinking through use of a systematic review
  • Understand how systematic reviews identify the gaps in existing bodies of research

Assessment tasks

  • Question
  • Methods
  • Systematic Review

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Learn how to conduct a systematic review

Assessment tasks

  • Question
  • Systematic Review