Students
HLTH703 – Introduction to Clinical Research
2019 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Simon French
Contact via Email
By appointment: Level 3,17 Wally's Walk (C5C)
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit aims to increase student understanding of the processes involved in clinical research within healthcare. Students will be introduced to a variety of outcome measures used within clinical research with a focus on appropriate use and analysis. Students will be given the opportunity to conduct small data collection projects within a clinical setting, and be exposed to elements of clinical research including: recruitment, ethics, and data collection and storage.
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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:
- Learn to analyse, interpret and assess data from research findings
- Critically appraise the literature on a specific clinically relevant topic and identify areas requiring further research
- Design a primary or secondary research project to create new knowledge in a clinically relevant area
- Write up a research protocol for a medium term, capstone research project designed to answer a specific research question/s
General Assessment Information
Overview
This unit involves a course on research methods, plus the formulation and write up of a research protocol on a topic your choice.
All written assessments must be submitted electronically via Turnitin. All assessment tasks must be submitted by the due dates outlined in the unit guide.
Students who are unable to submit an assessment or unable to meet a specific deadline should submit a ‘Special Consideration’ request. For information on this process please visit the link: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration
Failure to submit an assessment task on the due date without an appropriate Special Consideration will result in a loss of 10% per 24-hour period after the due date for that particular task, for example, 25 hours late in submission = 20% penalty.
Serious and Unavoidable circumstances
The University classifies circumstances as serious and unavoidable if they:
- could not have reasonably been anticipated, avoided or guarded against by the student; and
- were beyond the student's control; and
- caused substantial disruption to the student’s capacity for undertaking assessment for the unit(s); and
- occurred during an event critical study period and were at least three (3) consecutive days duration or a total of 5 days within the teaching period; and/or
- prevented completion of an assessment task scheduled for a specific date (e.g. final examination, in class test/quiz, in class presentation).
Students with a pre-existing disability/health condition or prolonged adverse circumstances may be eligible for ongoing assistance and support. Such support is governed by other policies and may be sought and coordinated through Campus Wellbeing and Support Services.
Assessment Tasks
| Topic | % | Timing |
| In-class exam #1 | 20% | Week 7, 11thApril 2019 |
| In-class exam #2 | 20% | Week 13, 6thJune 2019 |
| Research plan presentation | 30% |
Presentation: Week 12, 30th May 2019 |
| Research plan written report | 30% | Written report: 20thJune 2019 |
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-class exam #1 | 20% | No | 8am Week 7, 11th April 2019 |
| In-class exam #2 | 20% | No | 8am Week 13, 6th June 2019 |
| Research Plan Presentation | 30% | No | Week 12, 30th May 2019 |
| Research Plan Written Report | 30% | No | 20th June 2019 |
In-class exam #1
Due: 8am Week 7, 11th April 2019
Weighting: 20%
Multiple choice questions that evaluate student learning of lecture and tutorial material. The assessment will be held in the scheduled lecture time.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Learn to analyse, interpret and assess data from research findings
In-class exam #2
Due: 8am Week 13, 6th June 2019
Weighting: 20%
Multiple choice questions that evaluate student learning of lecture and tutorial material. The assessment will be held in the scheduled lecture time.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Learn to analyse, interpret and assess data from research findings
- Critically appraise the literature on a specific clinically relevant topic and identify areas requiring further research
Research Plan Presentation
Due: Week 12, 30th May 2019
Weighting: 30%
Students are to clearly and concisely present the rationale, research question, sampling strategy, data collection and data analysis for the proposed study; 10 minute presentation, 5 minute question time.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically appraise the literature on a specific clinically relevant topic and identify areas requiring further research
- Design a primary or secondary research project to create new knowledge in a clinically relevant area
- Write up a research protocol for a medium term, capstone research project designed to answer a specific research question/s
Research Plan Written Report
Due: 20th June 2019
Weighting: 30%
Students are to submit a written report of the proposed research including the following sections:
- Rationale
- Research Question
- Participant Selection and Recruitment
- Data Collection
- Data Analysis
- Relevance of Potential Findings to the Field of Study
The written submission will be a maximum of 15 pages, single-spaced, 2.5 cm margins, 12-point font, and page numbers. Include a Title Page and Reference List (not included in the page limit). Also, include in an Appendix, any additional material that supports the methods, e.g. copy of self-reported outcome measure, demographic data collection sheet, interview guide, etc.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically appraise the literature on a specific clinically relevant topic and identify areas requiring further research
- Design a primary or secondary research project to create new knowledge in a clinically relevant area
- Write up a research protocol for a medium term, capstone research project designed to answer a specific research question/s
Delivery and Resources
Recommended text book
Portney LG, Watkins MP (2013). Foundations of Clinical Research: Applications to Practice, 3rd Edition, Pearson Education Limited
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/mqu/detail.action?docID=5175590
Other relevant text books
Herbert R, Jamtvedt G, Hagen KB, Mead J (2012). Practical evidence-based physiotherapy. 2nd Edition, Churchill Livingston
Adams J, et al (2007). Researching Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Abingdon, Oxon; New York: Routledge
Delivery mode
Lectures will provide a high-level overview of research skills, in addition to more advanced topics that aim to help you develop your research protocol. These lectures will review the main clinical research methods relevant to chiropractic practice, providing relevant material for the unit’s substantial research project.
Students will be allocated to a 2-hour tutorial group. In these tutorials students will work on activities related to the topic covered in that week’s lecture, meet with their supervisor, or participate in presentations of the research groups’ protocol as both a presenter and audience participant. Tutorial attendance and participation is required.
Further information on the delivery in this unit is available on the HLTH703 iLearn page.
Further details on class time and locations for this unit can be found at:
https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2019/
Unit Web Page
You can log in to iLearn learning system using the link below:
Unit Schedule
| Lecture | Date | Topic | Lecturer |
| 1 | 28/2/19 |
Unit introduction, students and supervisor expectations. Why Do Research? What is Research? |
Simon French |
| 2 | 7/3/19 | Clinical practice guidelines | André Bussières |
| 3 | 14/3/19 | Framing the problem and formulating research questions | Katie de Luca |
| 4 | 21/3/19 | Library services and resources for chiropractic students | Fiona Jones, Abigail Baker, and Jo Hardy |
| 5 | 28/3/19 | Systematic and scoping reviews | Joshua Zadro |
| 6 | 4/4/19 | Cochrane Risk of Bias & GRADE | Ben Brown |
| 7 | 11/4/19 | Research Designs: Quantitative and Qualitative* | Simon French |
| 8 | 2/5/19 | In class exam #1 | N/A |
| 9 | 9/5/19 | Ethics and research integrity | Kandy White |
| 10 | 16/5/19 | Sampling, data collection and analysis | Reidar Lystad |
| 11 | 23/5/19 | Writing a journal article | Katie de Luca |
| 12 | 30/5/19 | Knowledge translation and course summary | Simon French |
| 13 | 6/6/19 | In class exam #2 | N/A |
* Lecture for “Research Designs: Qualitative” will be available on iLearn
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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
- Learn to analyse, interpret and assess data from research findings
- Design a primary or secondary research project to create new knowledge in a clinically relevant area
Assessment tasks
- In-class exam #1
- In-class exam #2
- Research Plan Presentation
- Research Plan Written Report
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
- Learn to analyse, interpret and assess data from research findings
- Critically appraise the literature on a specific clinically relevant topic and identify areas requiring further research
- Write up a research protocol for a medium term, capstone research project designed to answer a specific research question/s
Assessment tasks
- In-class exam #1
- In-class exam #2
- Research Plan Presentation
- Research Plan Written Report
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
- Design a primary or secondary research project to create new knowledge in a clinically relevant area
- Write up a research protocol for a medium term, capstone research project designed to answer a specific research question/s
Assessment tasks
- Research Plan Presentation
- Research Plan Written Report
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 outcomes
- Design a primary or secondary research project to create new knowledge in a clinically relevant area
- Write up a research protocol for a medium term, capstone research project designed to answer a specific research question/s
Assessment tasks
- Research Plan Presentation
- Research Plan Written Report