Students

CHIR8202 – Postgraduate Advanced Research II

2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

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 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

Late submissions will receive a 5% per day penalty including weekends and public holidays. If you submit the assessment task 10 days or more beyond the due date, without an approved extension, you will be awarded a maximum of 50% of the overall assessment marks.

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
Online quiz 30% No Week 7, Thursday 9th September, 2021 @ 9am
Research Presentation 30% No Week 11 and Week 12 (specific time TBC)
Research Project/Protocol Written 40% No Week 13, 4/11/2021 @ 5pm

Online quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 7, Thursday 9th September, 2021 @ 9am
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 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

Research Project/Protocol Written

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 21 hours
Due: Week 13, 4/11/2021 @ 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

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 group research project (research presentation and journal article).

Lectures

In weeks 1 to 5, there will be five 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

See the unit iLearn page for the tutorial schedule. The tutorials will be a mix of structured tutorials and dedicated time to meet with the group’s academic advisor. In the structured tutorials, the teaching material covered in the online lectures will be discussed in more depth and students will undertake activities to enhance learning of the materials. When there are no structured tutorials scheduled, students will be expected to meet with their academic advisor, or attend to consult with the unit convenor for advice about their own research project/protocol. 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
18/08/2021 Date corrected for online quiz

Unit information based on version 2021.01R of the Handbook