Students
CHIR8202 – Postgraduate Advanced Research II
2020 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Simon French
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
CHIR8201 or CHIR921
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit, together with CHIR8201, develops a student's ability to critique, evaluate and synthesise biomedical research. These skills are crucial for life-long learning and are essential in evidence-informed clinical practice. In this unit, students will work in groups to develop and execute a medium term, capstone research project to answer a specific research question/s. |
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:
- ULO1: Critically appraise research literature on a specific clinically relevant topic and identify areas requiring further research
- ULO2: Apply knowledge in research methods to analyse, interpret and assess research findings
- ULO3: Demonstrate knowledge of research methods by either designing a research protocol, or implementing a research project, to answer a specific research question in a clinically relevant area
- ULO4: Effectively communicate the design of a research protocol, or results of a research project, to your peers and academics using verbal and written methods
General Assessment Information
This unit involves a course on advanced research methods, plus the execution and write up of a substantial group research project or group research protocol. For those students undertaking the research project, this is based on the research protocol that was conceptualised and designed in the prerequisite unit in the previous semester (CHIR8201). For those students who undertook a case study in CHIR8201, in this unit they will form in groups and develop a research protocol to address a major research gap they identified in their case study.
The written assessment 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
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Presentation | 30% | No | Week 11 and Week 12 (specific time TBC) |
| Online quiz | 30% | No | Week 6 (3/9/20 @ 10AM) |
| Research Project/Protocol Written | 40% | No | Week 13 (5/11/20 @ 5PM) |
Research Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 11 and Week 12 (specific time TBC)
Weighting: 30%
In the tutorial class time, students will give an individual oral research presentation about their group research protocol, or about the results of their group research project.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of research methods by either designing a research protocol, or implementing a research project, to answer a specific research question in a clinically relevant area
- Effectively communicate the design of a research protocol, or results of a research project, to your peers and academics using verbal and written methods
Online quiz
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 6 (3/9/20 @ 10AM)
Weighting: 30%
Multiple choice questions that evaluate student learning of lecture material. The assessment will be held in the scheduled lecture time.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically appraise research literature on a specific clinically relevant topic and identify areas requiring further research
- Apply knowledge in research methods to analyse, interpret and assess research findings
Research Project/Protocol Written
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 21 hours
Due: Week 13 (5/11/20 @ 5PM)
Weighting: 40%
The student research protocol, or research project, will be written up in the format of a journal article (approximately 2,000 words), ready for submission for publication in a peer reviewed journal.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of research methods by either designing a research protocol, or implementing a research project, to answer a specific research question in a clinically relevant area
- Effectively communicate the design of a research protocol, or results of a research project, to your peers and academics using verbal and written methods
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Delivery mode
Students should approach the content of this unit through self-directed learning. Students undertaking the research project have been previously been assigned to a research project group in CHIR8201. Each research project is linked to an academic advisor who will provide mentorship and guidance on completing the substantial research project (research presentation and journal article). Learning in this aspect of the unit occurs via student/supervisor engagement. For those students who completed a case study in CHIR8201, the Unit Convenor will provide mentorship and guidance during the tutorial times on completing the substantial research project (research presentation and journal article).
Lectures
In weeks 1 to 4, there will be four 1-hour online lectures. Lectures will provide advanced research methods, building on the content from CHIR8201. These lectures will provide relevant material for the unit’s substantial research project.
Tutorials
During the tutorial time, students will be expected to meet with their academic advisor, or attend to consult with the unit convenor for general advice about their own research project/protocol.
Tutorial schedule:
- Week 1: no tutorials
- Week 2: students undertaking a research project should meet with their supervisor. For students who undertook the case study, the tutorial time will be used to form groups and to discuss the available topics for their research protocol.
- Weeks 3 to 6: tutorial content will cover the lecture material. Although attendance is not mandatory, it is strongly suggested in preparation for the online exam
- Week 7: no tutorials
- Weeks 8 to 10: meet with supervisor/discuss research protocol
- Week 11 and 12: Research presentations
- Week 13: no tutorials
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.)
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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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.